Yesterday
‘I feel helpless’: techies are banning their kids from social media
The professionals who understand most how social media and other tech platforms work are keeping their own children away from them for as long as possible.
- Paul Smith
This Month
Brands hit up TikTok as Instagram, Facebook lose their lustre
The Victorian Chamber of Commerce found expanding marketing was a top priority for members, striking a deal with the platform to educate owners how to do it.
- Patrick Durkin
June
France’s far-right ‘dream ticket’ chases election victory
Far-right leader Marine Le Pen anointed her youthful protege as prime minister in waiting, but the office may come sooner than either expected as France votes.
- Leila Abboud
China’s faltering tech giants push workers to the limit
As Chinese technology executives face a new reality of low growth, rising competition and investor apathy, many are making tough demands on staff.
- Updated
- Ryan McMorrow and Nian Liu
- Opinion
- US election
Why next week’s Biden v Trump debate is so important
A set piece clash between Joe Biden and Donald Trump will turn less on policies than on manner and appearance. What they say will matter less than how they seem.
- Updated
- Edward Luce
Online shopping has become a giant fake-product machine
TikTok is better than any other digital platform for turning cult favourites into global bestsellers – and making counterfeiters money.
- Amanda Mull
US surgeon-general urges tobacco-style warnings on social media
Vivek Murthy’s call to action comes as regulators and legislators increasingly scrutinise links between social media use and children’s mental health.
- Cristiano Lima-Strong and Aaron Gregg
Labor insider Sabina Husic snapped up by TikTok
The ByteDance-owned video app needs friends in Canberra, turning to Sabina Husic in a new lobbying role.
- Updated
- Mark Di Stefano
Yours for just $30k. Expats hunt homes in rural Japan
Millions of abandoned homes dot Japan’s countryside, the result of an ageing population and declining rural economy. They are being sold at rock-bottom prices.
- Noah Eastwood
- Analysis
- World elections
Meet the young, telegenic far-right leader upending France
Far-right leader Marine Le Pen’s protege is 28-year-old selfie-loving university dropout Jordan Bardella, who is popular with young people and pulling in votes.
- Ania Nussbaum
Better than the real thing? How beauty dupe culture took over
Social media and young people hungry for luxurious cosmetics have led to a boom in cheap versions of expensive products. Companies are cashing in on the trend.
- Lauren Sams
News Corp on edge as redundancies roll out after major restructure
The publishing giant’s state-based tabloid editors have been the winners in the latest internal overhaul despite their readership records.
- Sam Buckingham-Jones
‘It’s my honour’: Trump joins TikTok, the app he once tried to ban
The former president made his debut on the video-sharing app in a bid to appeal to younger voters – and attracted 2 million followers.
- Stephanie Lai and Michael Sin
May
Young royals face National Service under Sunak’s election plans
There’s nothing new in royalty doing military service, as Britain’s European neighbours can attest.
- Amy Gibbons
China’s online ‘Kim Kardashian’ banned for being too ostentatious
The online disappearance last week of Wang Hongquanxing is part of the government’s latest campaign to maintain its dominance over China’s social media culture.
- Joe Leahy and Wenjie Ding
The truth behind the dead internet theory
Up to half of all internet traffic could be driven by bots, where computer programs generate posts that are liked or reposted by other programs.
- Jake Renzella and Vlada Rozova
‘Coffee badging’ workers’ last stand in war on working from home
Like “showing face” in the House of Lords, “coffee badging” refers to the practice of conspicuously clocking in before sneakily leaving shortly after.
- Lucy Burton
‘Massive’ French police force arrives in riot-hit New Caledonia
Deadly violence has raged across the French Pacific territory this week over electoral reforms pushed in Paris, forcing France to impose a state of emergency.
- Kirsty Needham and Camille Raynaud
How TikTok changed fashion
Trends in what people wear, whether hemlines, colours or the way they think about and shop for clothes, no longer begin with designers or even influencers.
- Rachel Tashjian
TikTok sues over US ban in battle for survival
The lawsuit from the social media platform and its parent company, ByteDance, claims US legislation banning the app would breach free speech rights.
- Hannah Murphy