Research suggests that the more times a person is exposed to a fake news headline, the more comfortable they feel sharing it online. As political polarisation fuels a tense atmosphere on social media, calls are mounting for these platforms to help reduce the spread of misinformation.

For digital natives, Facebook and Instagram are key social lifelines – but they also present a risk to users’ wellbeing as they judge themselves by what they see on these platforms. How is satirical site Lifefaker sparking a conversation about the dangers of obsessing over one’s online image?

Social media has the ability to send its users into a spiral of self-pity one day and transform their lives through the power of community the next. Canvas8 spoke to Sarah Raphael, co-author ofMixed Feelings, about our love-hate relationship with social media and what this means for brands.

In a bid to tackle a growing e-culture of inauthenticity and misinformation, Instagram has launched a tool that allows users to report fake posts. Trust in social media platforms is waning, and people are not only demanding greater transparency, but also more control over what gets shared.