September
They have 31m followers - but you’ve never heard of these YouTube superstars
Bounce Patrol has more followers than Beyonce, operates out of a quiet Melbourne street, and is helping YouTube transform from the home of DIY videos to a major TV broadcaster.
- Sam Buckingham-Jones
How these parents keep their kids off social media
From “rubbish” phones to smartwatches and screen time bans, executives are trying to find ways to keep their kids off social media while still being able to be in touch.
- Tess Bennett
Google accused of using secret tech to rig online ad business
In a second antitrust trial, the US Justice Department has called for a breakup of the tech giant, which it says controls almost all online advertising.
- David McCabe
AI deepfakes: deeply worrying or deeply amusing?
There are big fears that AI deepfakes could be used by foreign enemies or political operatives to influence elections. Just how worried should we be?
- Paul Smith
Apple, Google, parents should stop kids using social media apps: Meta
The company behind Facebook and Instagram says Apple and Google and their app stores are better placed to prevent children joining social media.
- Sam Buckingham-Jones
August
Why an Aussie firm spent $1.5m on a ‘Drive to Survive’-like rally doco
In a branding strategy inspired by the success of influencers such as MrBeast, SafetyCulture founder Luke Anear is using YouTube to increase audience reach.
- Paul Smith
Harris seeks centre-left sweet spot in US election battle
The Democratic candidate has dropped her left-wing policies from her failed 2020 presidential campaign.
- Alex Rogers and James Politi
MrBeast’s giant game show faces safety complaints
Some of the contestants vying to win the $US5 million prize say they lacked access to food, water and medication, and competitors were injured.
- Thalia Beaty and James Pollard
Olympics’ online trolls get taken down by AI
Athletes have previously had to turn off their phones to avoid online abuse – this year artificial intelligence is helping to keep trolls at bay.
- Paul Smith
Bangladesh protesters to march on government after deadly clashes
At least 91 people were killed and hundreds injured on Sunday in a wave of violence in the country of 170 million, as police fired tear gas and rubber bullets.
- Ruma Paul
Can a series about alien toilets really be the new Marvel?
Born on YouTube as a series of short episodes, this surreal apocalyptic sci-fi has attracted the attention of Hollywood.
- Taylor Lorenz
July
- Opinion
- Social media
If you really want to relax, put that phone down
The dopamine hit of smartphones, described as the modern-day hypodermic needle, is not the same as switching off.
- Jemima Kelly
Big tech ordered to develop solutions to stop kids finding porn
The eSafety Commissioner has given internet companies six months to find a plan to stop kids stumbling across porn while searching for sites such as YouTube.
- Tess Bennett
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
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
April
- Opinion
- Apps
Apple banned this app for years. It’s now America’s No. 1 iPhone app
Delta is an app that lets you play old-fashioned video games on your iPhone – and Apple had refused to let it on the app store. Until a government crackdown.
- Shira Ovide
April
Billionaire Elon Musk ‘shouldn’t be dictating to us our social norms’
We went to western Sydney community leaders and asked if the videos of a church stabbing should be allowed to stay on X. Here’s what they said.
- Max Mason
Netflix smashes user expectations after reducing shared accounts
The company posted its best start to the year since 2020 thanks to a strong slate of original programs and a crackdown on password sharing.
- Lucas Shaw
Up in the air: Seven’s new boss braces for impact
Jeff Howard watched ex-Seven producer Taylor Auerbach give evidence on Friday while flying back from Adelaide, two weeks before he takes over Seven’s top job.
- Sam Buckingham-Jones and Max Mason
March
- Opinion
- Social media
It’s time to stop the smartphone experiment on our children
China has been way ahead of the west in seeing the dangers of raising a generation of zombies.
- Camilla Cavendish