From Girl Dinners to Boy Kibble: The Evolution of TikTok Food Trends The online world’s relationship with food is constantly evolving. Just as “girl dinner” became a cultural touchstone, author Olivie Blake even titled her novel after the trend, a new contender has emerged: “boy kibble.” This shift highlights how quickly social media can dictate … Read more
The Rise of ‘SEAblings’ and ‘Knetz’: A New Era of Fandom Conflict and Regional Solidarity A recent online clash between fans of South Korean pop culture and those from Southeast Asian nations has illuminated a growing trend: the increasing importance of regional identity and solidarity in the digital age. What began as a disagreement over … Read more
Tan Chuan-Jin’s Digital Exit: A Reflection on Public Figures and the Ephemeral Nature of Online Presence Former Speaker of Parliament Tan Chuan-Jin recently deleted his Instagram and Facebook accounts, attributing the Instagram deletion to an “accidental” act. While he expressed a sense of loss over losing “almost 12 years of life” documented on the platform, … Read more
The Unfiltered Truth: When Beauty Filters Fail and What It Means for the Future of Social Media A Chinese livestreamer reportedly lost 140,000 followers after a beauty filter malfunctioned during a live broadcast, briefly revealing her unfiltered appearance. Whereas the story is still being independently verified, it’s sparked a wider conversation about authenticity, unrealistic beauty … Read more
The Class of 2020: How a Lost Graduation Became a Lasting TikTok Trend The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted countless aspects of life, but for the Class of 2020, one loss stands out: the traditional graduation ceremony. Years later, the sting of that cancellation hasn’t faded, and it’s found a unique outlet on TikTok. What began as … Read more
The Cracks in the Algorithm: Meta’s Internal Conflicts and the Future of Social Media Accountability Brian Boland, a former Meta VP of Partnerships, delivered damning testimony this week in a case alleging Meta and YouTube harmed a young woman’s mental health. His account paints a picture of a company prioritizing growth and engagement above user … Read more
Zuckerberg on the Stand: Social Media Addiction Trial Sparks Debate Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, faced intense questioning Wednesday in a landmark trial concerning allegations that Instagram is addictive to young users. The trial, unfolding in Los Angeles County Superior Court, represents a pivotal moment in the ongoing debate about the responsibility of social media … Read more
Zuckerberg’s Testimony: A Turning Point for Social Media Accountability? Mark Zuckerberg’s recent testimony in a Los Angeles courtroom, as part of a lawsuit alleging Meta knowingly designed its platforms to be addictive, has laid bare the company’s internal strategies and defensive tactics. The case, brought by a plaintiff who began using Instagram at age nine, … Read more
The Algorithmic Battlefield: How Tech Regulation is Redefining the US-Europe Relationship A growing transatlantic rift is emerging, not over traditional trade or defense, but over the very architecture of the internet. The core of the dispute? How to regulate Substantial Tech. While the United States frames European efforts to rein in tech giants as a … Read more
The Body’s Reset Button: Why Somatic Shaking is Going Viral – and What’s Next Stress. It’s a constant companion in modern life. But what if there was a simple, even slightly bizarre, way to release that pent-up tension? Enter somatic shaking, a practice gaining traction on TikTok, and beyond. It involves intentionally shaking and moving … Read more