57. How Social Media Pressures Young Entrepreneurs to Embrace Unethical Business Practices

57. How Social Media Pressures Young Entrepreneurs to Embrace Unethical Business Practices In Silicon Valley, startup culture begins to normalise unethical business practices such as manipulating share price by posting unfounded claims on social media, promoted through industry blogs and forums, and resulting in price spikes used by insiders for trading their shares. A young…

Read More

56. How misinformation leads to inadequate natural disaster preparations for a family in Manila

56. How misinformation leads to inadequate natural disaster preparations for a family in Manila In the Philippines, absence of reliable official information combined with wild circulation of false information and narratives downplaying the risks from an impending typhoon leads to inadequate preparation and response. The misinformation, spread through local social media channels, causes confusion among…

Read More

55. How a UK teenager falls victim to cyberbullying

55. How a UK teenager falls victim to cyberbullying In the UK, online harassment becomes rampant, particularly on forums and gaming platforms. Fourteen years old Mia becomes a victim of cyberbullying – humiliating comments and intimidation via insults and threats – on a popular gaming site, GameSphere.  Individual outcomes Mia suffers from psychological problems -…

Read More

54. How Digital Media Threatens Local Arts and Languages in India

54. How Digital Media Threatens Local Arts and Languages in India In India, local cultures and languages are endangered as global digital media promotes a homogenized culture. Traditional arts like Kathakali dance see dwindling interest among the youth, including 18-year-old Arjun from Kerala, who prefers Western pop culture.  Individual outcomes Arjun loses connection with his…

Read More

53. How an influencer push to promote a diet puts people at risk

53. How an influencer push to promote a diet puts people at risk In Australia, public trust in scientific authorities diminishes due to the spread of misinformation about scientific research. A viral internet trend, started by influencer Kayla Jenner, promotes a diet based on unscientific principles. Dr. Liam Bennett, a respected nutritionist, struggles to counteract…

Read More

52. How a Japanese business owner panics amidst rumour-driven bank run

52. How a Japanese business owner panics amidst rumour-driven bank run In Japan, a false rumour about a major bank’s insolvency spreads rapidly online, leading to a bank run. Misinformation propagated by anonymous sources on platforms like TradeChat and MoneyBuzz creates panic among investors, including small business owner Hiroshi Takahashi. Individual outcomes Hiroshi faces financial…

Read More

51. How Unrealistic Standards Impact Adolescent Well-being in the United States

51: How Unrealistic Standards Impact Adolescent Well-being in the United States In the United States, teenagers experience increased anxiety and depression linked to social media use. Platforms like InstaLife and SnapWorld promote unrealistic lifestyles and beauty standards. Adolescents, like 16-year-old Emily from California, struggle with self-esteem and body image issues.  Individual outcomes Emily faces mental…

Read More

50. How a Fringe Political Group Gains Following in Europe

50: How a Fringe Political Group Gains Following in Europe In a small European country, a fringe political group gains significant following through social media by spreading extremist ideologies. The group’s leaders, like charismatic speaker Viktor Krasnov, manipulate information (by making false claims without factual evidence, attacking vulnerable groups and calling for a ban on…

Read More

49: How Different Media Sources Strain Relationships in a Canadian Family

49: How Different Media Sources Strain Relationships in a Canadian Family In a Canadian family, political arguments fueled by misinformation from different media sources lead to strained relationships. The daughter, a university student, and her father, a retired mechanic, find themselves unable to communicate due to polarised views. Individual outcomes The family experiences emotional distress…

Read More

48. How Misinformation Sparks Unnecessary Public Outrage in France

48: How Misinformation Sparks Unnecessary Public Outrage in France In France, a group of citizens, misled by a viral social media campaign, organizes a large protest against a non-existent government surveillance program. Individual outcomes The protestors, like 38-year-old Jeanne, waste time and resources on a non-issue, causing public disturbance, vandalism, damage and destruction to public…

Read More