9 h. ago Social media addiction is 'fuelling the rise in youngsters taking ketamine'

Zaheen Ahmed, the head of therapy at UK Addiction Treatment Centres, warned that if their online and physical life 'doesn't give comfort', then they numb themselves with the drug

Politics

11 h. ago Tech giants head to landmark US trial over social media addiction claims

Meta, YouTube and TikTok accused of making products intentionally addictive and harmful to young peopleFor the first time, a massive group of parents, teens and school districts is taking on the world’s most powerful social media companies in open court, accusing the tech giants of intentionally designing their products to be addictive. The blockbuster legal proceedings may see multiple CEOs, including Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg, face harsh questioning.A long-awaited series of trials kicks off in Los Angeles superior court on Tuesday, in which hundreds of US families will allege that Meta, Snap, TikTok and YouTube’s platforms harm children. Once young people are hooked, the plaintiffs allege, they fall prey to depression, eating disorders, self-harm and other mental health issues. Approximately 1,600 plaintiffs are included in the proceedings, involving more than 350 families and 250 school districts. Continue reading...

Politics

33 h. ago Neuroscientist explains 'damaging' habit which happens when you doom scroll on phone

A neuroscientist has explained how humans have become addicted to social media - and what you need to do to better manage how much time you spend in the online world

Politics

38 h. ago The Bed Trick by Izabella Scott review – a bizarre story of sexual duplicity

A brilliant analysis of the trial of Gayle Newland and the literary and social antecedents of ‘sex by deception’In September 2015, Gayle Newland stood trial accused of sex by deception. It was alleged that she created an online identity as a man and used this character, Kye Fortune, to lure another woman into a sexual relationship, which was consummated repeatedly with the assistance of a blindfold and a prosthetic penis. The woman believed she was having sex with Kye until one day her ring caught on his hat and she felt long hair. Tearing off her blindfold, she realised her male lover was actually her female friend. As these lurid, almost fairytale details seeped out, the case went viral. “Sex attacker who posed as man found guilty” was one of the milder headlines.The trial caught Izabella Scott’s attention because it was a real-life example of a plot device she recognised from literature. The bed trick can be found in folk stories and operas, in Chaucer and Shakespeare. Often told...

Politics

3 d. ago The influencer World Cup: Fifa and the TikTok deal targeting an avalanche of posts

Partnership with tech giant speaks to push to engage younger fans but also has wider strategic goals in mindIn this World Cup year, Fifa has come out of the blocks quickly. In the past few weeks any number of initiatives have been announced or activated, from a data partnership with Opta to facilitate more betting, to the Fifa Pass for speeding up visa applications for the US this summer, to the unveiling of the official Lego World Cup trophy. Among the ever-expanding list is an intriguing deal with TikTok, a partnership that will give digital creators front-row seats at the 104-match tournament.In Fifa language its partnership with the short-form video platform will make “the most inclusive event in football history even more accessible”. According to TikTok’s global head of content, James Stafford, it will bring fans “closer to the action in ways they can’t get anywhere else”. It plans to do so by granting an unspecified number of online personalities behind-the-scenes access, giv...

Economics

5 d. ago Signs your child is addicted to social media – as Lords back ban

Expert-backed advice on what parents need to look out for.

Politics

6 d. ago Britain facing ‘catastrophe’ because of children being addicted to social media, peers told – as it happened

House of Lords debate amendments to bill that could ban children under the age of 16 from having social mediaWe’re not far off PMQs. Here is the list of MPs down to ask a question.There will be two statements in the Commons after PMQs. At 12.30pm Ed Miliband, the energy secretary, will give one about the warm homes plan, and about an hour later Emma Reynolds, the environment secretary, will give one on the water white paper. Continue reading...

Politics

6 d. ago Cosmetics giant Estee Lauder sued by ‘disruptive’ beauty tech startup over theft allegations

Legal filing argues that Estee Lauder earned significant new revenue from technology the startup developed

Politics

6 d. ago Britain facing ‘catastrophe’ because of children being addicted to social media, peers told – UK politics live

House of Lords debate amendments to bill that would ban children under the age of 16 from having social media We’re not far off PMQs. Here is the list of MPs down to ask a question.There will be two statements in the Commons after PMQs. At 12.30pm Ed Miliband, the energy secretary, will give one about the warm homes plan, and about an hour later Emma Reynolds, the environment secretary, will give one on the water white paper. Continue reading...

Politics

6 d. ago Snapchat’s parent company settles social media addiction lawsuit before trial

Snap’s chief executive had been due to testify in civil action also involving Meta, TikTok and YouTubeSnapchat’s parent company has settled a civil lawsuit shortly before it was due to start in California, but other large tech companies still face a trial under the case.Snap’s chief executive, Evan Spiegel, had been due to testify in a tech addiction lawsuit which also involves the Instagram owner, Meta; ByteDance’s TikTok; and Alphabet-owned YouTube – which have not settled. Continue reading...

Society

7 d. ago ‘My daughter is addicted to her phone – only a social media ban for under

The UK government has announced plans to consult on a social media ban for under-16s – but will it solve the problem? Nicole Wootton-Cane speaks to parents about whether they would support the measures

Politics

7 d. ago UK social media ban: Government considering Australian style measures to stop 'infinite scrolling'

The Government said it would consult on options including raising the digital age of consent and restricting potentially addictive social media features

Politics

7 d. ago Children in UK face social media ban, addictive app restrictions and tough Ofsted phone checks

Keir Starmer is ramping up action to tackle online harms amid mounting pressure to introduce a social media ban for under 16s after Australia did so last month

Politics

1 week ago Amazon to close giant Milton Keynes warehouse that was its first in UK as 590 jobs impacted

AMAZON is set to close its giant warehouse in Milton Keynes that was also the tech giant's first depot opened in the UK. Amazon is planning to close one of its fulfilment centres, offering workers the chance to transfer to another site. The company announced a consultation on a proposal to close the site in...

Society

1 week ago Italian influencer Chiara Ferragni cleared of fraud over charity Christmas cake scandal

Social media star says ‘justice has been done’ in cases involving cakes and Easter eggs being promoted as charitable initiativesThe Italian fashion influencer Chiara Ferragni has said “the nightmare is over” after being acquitted on fraud charges in a trial linked to Christmas cake and Easter egg charity initiatives.The social media star, 38, had been on trial in Milan accused of duping consumers in two separate fundraisers – one a Christmas campaign in 2022 promoting pandoro cake, an alternative to the more famous panettone, and the other selling chocolate eggs during Easter campaigns in 2021 and 2022. Continue reading...

Science

1 week ago Changed your tune, Nick? Now Clegg backs tougher regulation of tech firms after pocketing millions from Meta

The ex-Liberal Democrat leader is reported to have made almost £15million from the sale of shares in Meta during his time as the tech giant's president of global affairs.

Economics

2 w. ago Amazon pushes suppliers for cuts ahead of Supreme Court tariff ruling

Tech giant moves to reverse concessions made to limit the shock of US President Donald Trump’s trade levies

Events

2 w. ago Amazon starts drone flights in ‘next step’ for UK delivery service

The US tech giant said it has begun ‘a limited number of flights’ from its Darlington test centre

Events

2 w. ago Senior Google employee was made redundant after reporting manager who told clients he was a swinger and showed nude picture of his wife, tribunal hears

Whistleblower Victoria Woodall (pictured) raised the alert over behaviour by senior staff at the tech giant with its UK HQ in Kings Cross, London.

Society

2 w. ago JD Sports reveals plans to enable shoppers to buy products through AI platforms

The sportswear giant’s tech boss told the Press Association it believes AI is ‘the future of how people will shop’.

Economics