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.

The release of the fourthMatrixmovie is accompanied by aMetaHumanvideo game, highlighting the opportunity for franchises to build universes people can immerse themselves in, and showcasing an example for brands on how to reach new demographics across devices and entertainment forms.

The surge in screen-time sparked by COVID-19 has left some people mentally and emotionally fatigued. Yet online habits don’t have to be defined by ‘doomscrolling’ and unrealistic social feeds. How can ‘digital gardens’ facilitate a calmer and more cooperative way to interact on the web?

Video games may conjure up imagery of ultra-fantasy but can these play a positive role in mental health? Canvas8 spoke to Joe Donnelly, author ofCheckpoint: How Video Games Power Up Minds, Kick Ass, and Save Lives, to understand the benefits of gaming that transcend entertainment.