Understanding the Rise of Sombr: A New Music Sensation As we age, it’s common to lose touch with the latest celebrities and trends. Enter Sombr, a rising star who has caught the attention of Gen Z—and left millennials scratching their heads. Who is Sombr? Sombr is a rock singer who resembles Timothée Chalamet, blending musical […]
The Impending End of SNAP Benefits: A Closer Look at the Social Safety Net Crisis As the United States faces one of its longest government shutdowns, over 40 million Americans are set to lose their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, commonly known as food stamps. This situation not only highlights the impact of political […]
The Rise of Cultural Commentary on TikTok: A Reflection of Gen Z’s Curiosity As Taylor Swift’s The Life of a Showgirl hit the airwaves, TikTok exploded with reactions, showcasing the platform’s burgeoning culture of commentary. This digital landscape is reshaping how young audiences engage with information and current events. TikTok Takes on Taylor Swift One […]
Understanding “Enshittification”: How Digital Platforms Are Declining As technology evolves, many users experience a noticeable decline in the quality of services provided by digital platforms, leading to a phenomenon known as “enshittification.” In his insightful book, Enshittification: Why Everything Suddenly Got Worse and What to Do About It, Cory Doctorow explores this unsettling trend, rooting […]
The Fallout from the Young Republicans Group Chat Leak The recent leak of a group chat involving young members of the Republican Party has triggered significant political controversy. Messages exchanged in this chat revealed troubling trends of antisemitism, racism, and violent rhetoric, raising alarms about the normalization of hate speech in political circles. The Nature […]
Instagram: The New Face of Digital Entertainment Instagram is evolving its platform, making it resemble traditional television. While this shift might ease parental concerns, it highlights the ongoing battle for our attention in the digital age. Instagram’s Content Overhaul for Teen Accounts Recently, Instagram introduced a default content setting for Teen Accounts that ensures users […]
The Great Lock-In: Gen Z’s Trend for Self-Improvement In the ever-evolving landscape of social media, TikTok has birthed a new trend among Gen Z: “The Great Lock-In.” This three-month challenge, which began in September, encourages participants to set and achieve personal goals before the new year, promoting a mindset of commitment and productivity. What is […]
The Power of TikTok: Its Influence and Future in the U.S. TikTok has emerged as more than just the world’s most downloaded app; it has become a significant force in the landscape of information sharing and cultural impact. As the platform continues to evolve, questions about its ownership, regulation, and influence remain at the forefront […]
TikTok’s Future: What’s Next for the Popular App in the U.S.? The uncertainty surrounding TikTok’s future in the United States may soon come to a resolution. New developments hint at a significant transition, possibly steering the app into American hands. A Potential Deal on the Horizon Reports indicate that the Trump administration is nearing finalizing […]
TikTok’s Potential Ban: What You Need to Know As political tensions rise, TikTok finds itself at the center of a debate about data privacy and national security. This blog post outlines the recent developments regarding TikTok’s status in the U.S. The Current Situation The Trump administration has announced a deal potentially allowing TikTok to avoid […]
The Social Media Aftermath of Violence: Why You Should Log Off In today’s digital age, shocking content can spread like wildfire across social media platforms. Recently, the disturbing video of Charlie Kirk’s shooting has raised serious concerns about the impact of unmoderated content online. The Viral Spread of Graphic Violence Many users were unprepared for […]
If you’re a parent, you’ve probably grappled with the question of when your kid should get a smartphone. There’s a nationwide movement, Wait Until 8th, that argues that devices should be kept out of kids’ hands until they’re deep into middle school. Some families manage to hold out even longer. Andrew Przybylski, a professor of […]
