From decentralised autonomous organisations (DAOs) run on Discord to city-wide mutual aid groups, people are finding safety and optimism in numbers. For growing numbers of people, collective action is emerging as the only viable solution to compounding crises and deepening alienation.

In the face of economic crises, climate anxieties, and global wars, people are seeking solace through connection. They want to be sure someone will hold their hand in the face of hardship. As a result, they have higher expectations of care and understanding from interactions with brands, social systems, and p...

Social media platform Geneva has become popular among Gen Zers who wish to connect privately and directly with other users who share similar interests. As people reject performative social feeds in favor of authentic online interactions, how are community-oriented apps keeping users engaged?

Shadowbanning, a seemingly common but often denied practice by big tech, is helping to further erode people’s trust in social media platforms. How can the brands engaging with these users online foster transparency and loyalty within a growing climate of distrust and paranoia?

Fizz is a social media app created for college students that aims to address the isolation that many feel when they arrive on campus. Started by two college dropouts, the app favors candid interaction over the curated nature of legacy social media – just like its Gen Z user base.

Supernova is an app hoping to redefine online socialising. Working similarly to Instagram or Facebook, it focuses on creating a positive impact, showing that there are ways social media platforms can operate without compromising mental health or data privacy.