Despite the enormous concern that currently exists around the use of screens by minors and its negative effects, the truth is that boys and girls begin their relationship with the digital environment long before they even have the capacity to desire it. According to a study carried out by the computer security firm AVG in […] … learn more→
Blog Archives
Mom, can you please delete that picture of me from your Instagram?
From the cinnamon challenge to ‘dragon’s breath’ – here’s what you need to know about social media’s most dangerous trends
Social media challenges can range from bizarre, hilarious to downright dangerous – it seems there’s no limit to what some people will do for likes. Take the “gallon challenge”, for instance. Social media influencers encouraged their followers to consume a gallon (3.78L in the UK) of milk in 60 minutes without vomiting. Maybe this doesn’t […] … learn more→
An exposé of whatever-it-takes culture, Eric Beecher’s The Men Who Killed the News is an idealistic book for the times
Eric Beecher is a rare beast: a combination of journalist, media owner and idealist. In 1984, aged 33, he became the youngest-ever editor of the Sydney Morning Herald and he has worked around the world as a journalist. He is currently chair and the largest shareholder in Private Media, owner of several Australian news websites, […] … learn more→
Students gain confidence in US democracy by participating in elections and campaigns for their homework
Title of course: Campaigns and Elections, in Theory and Practice What prompted the idea for the course? I noticed many of my students, including those interested in political science, had never actually engaged in politics beyond voting. I also saw that many of the clubs and activities that helped me make friends when I was a […] … learn more→
How conspiracy theories polarize society and provoke violence
In today’s technologically interconnected world, the ability to concoct and spread conspiracy theories has become easier than ever before. This became evident after the recent assassination attempt on former U.S. president Donald Trump. Millions flocked to social media to share their interpretations of the event and the would-be assasin’s supposed motives. “BlueAnon” theories suggested that the attack was […] … learn more→
Social media hijacks our attention and we resign ourselves to it
hxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxtrPreview changes in AMP (opens in new window) Remember The Matrix or Batman Forever ? In these dystopian movies, technological gadgets were able to read people’s desires, collect that information, and then use it to shape or predict people’s future behavior at will. In both science fiction stories, the villains managed to lull the citizens to […] … learn more→
7 ways to avoid becoming a misinformation superspreader when the news is shocking
The problem of misinformation isn’t going away – and may be getting worse, in the wake of the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. Internet platforms like Facebook and X have taken some steps to curb its spread and say they are working on doing more. But no method yet introduced has been completely successful at removing […] … learn more→
Catching online scammers: our model combines data and behavioural science to map the psychological games cybercriminals play
When fiction’s most famous detective, Sherlock Holmes, needed to solve a crime, he turned to his sharp observational skills and deep understanding of human nature. He used this combination more than once when facing off against his arch-nemesis, Dr James Moriarty, a villain adept at exploiting human weaknesses for his gain. This classic battle mirrors today’s […] … learn more→
Brave against bullies: how to foster an environment of respect and solidarity in schools and institutes
Recent international reports on bullying show that we are facing a problem throughout the world, with negative effects on the school performance and health of minors. In Spain, one of the latest studies published reveals that these types of situations have been reduced, although it is a survey of opinions among students, so we do not have data on […] … learn more→
Why we are so bad at detecting lies
You don’t need to be in the middle of an election campaign to worry about your ability to spot a lie. Psychology research suggests that people lie at least once a day. A 2006 study of 206 documents found that we are just a little better than chance at guessing whether we are dealing with a lie or not, […] … learn more→