The number of social network users is approaching the number that uses the Internet at 5.19 billion, or 64.5 per cent of the world population…reports Asian Lite News
More than 60 per cent of the world’s population, or nearly five billion people, are active on social media, a new study has shown.
According to digital advisory firm Kepios, this figure represents an increase of 3.7 per cent compared to the previous year.
The number of social network users is approaching the number that uses the Internet at 5.19 billion, or 64.5 per cent of the world population.
Moreover, the report said that social media usage varies widely by region. In East and Central Africa, only one person out of 11 uses social media, while in India, only one out of three does.
The amount of time spent on social media has also increased, rising by two minutes per day to two hours and 26 minutes. Brazilians spend an average of three hours and 49 minutes per day on social media while the Japanese spend less than an hour.
The average social media user is on seven platforms. With WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook, Meta has three favourite apps. WeChat, TikTok, and its local version Douyin are the three most popular apps in China. The top social media platforms are completed by Twitter, Messenger, and Telegram, according to the report.
Meanwhile, the US Precise Advertiser Report: Kids (PARK) showed that about 9 out of 10 kids under 12 in the US access content on YouTube versus 4 in 10 for TikTok, despite the incredible popularity of TikTok.
When queried about their most recent content consumption, 86 per cent cited YouTube, followed by 63 per cent who said video on demand, 50 per cent who said gaming and 38 per cent who said TikTok. Half of the kids who watch YouTube are aware of YouTube Shorts, with a fifth having seen YouTube Shorts Ads while watching.
Threads launched in 2023, the latest app that’s making waves in the digital media domain, is all about sparking engaging conversations. With over 5 million users and counting, it has surpassed growth records and established itself as a go-to platform…reports Asian Lite News
If you haven’t heard about threads, you’re surely living under the rocks! Threads has taken the social media world by storm, captivating users with its unique communication and media sharing approach. It’s not alone in its success, as other social media and entertainment apps have also gained significant traction among users worldwide. These apps, with their captivating features and user-friendly interfaces, have attracted a diverse user base from different countries and cultures. What sets them apart is their cool interfaces and seamless navigation, making exploration and interaction effortless. With innovative features that bring a fresh perspective to social media and entertainment, these apps have gained immense popularity and engagement, and so revolutionised the digital space. They have experienced a massive surge in global traffic, building a loyal user base.
Today, let us take a look at some influential apps that have redefined the digital and entertainment landscape and ‘clicked’ with consumers with their appealing interfaces, imaginative and groundbreaking innovations, and widespread popularity.
Threads – Igniting Conversations:
Threads launched in 2023, the latest app that’s making waves in the digital media domain, is all about sparking engaging conversations. With over 5 million users and counting, it has surpassed growth records and established itself as a go-to platform. Threads takes a fresh approach by focusing on text-based conversations rather than visual content. It combines the best features of Instagram and Twitter, allowing users to share text updates, join public discussions, and even reply and re-share posts. It’s the perfect space for meaningful interactions and lively debates.
Pocket FM – Pioneering Audio Entertainment:
Pocket FM, launched in 2018, has revolutionized the audio entertainment industry with its vast content library of over 100,000 hours of audio series spanning across genres like romance, fantasy, sci-fi, horror, thriller, and drama. By providing a captivating and immersive listening experience, Pocket FM has garnered a dedicated global following, expanding its presence in key markets such as the United States of America and India. With a user-centric design, personalized recommendations, and a commitment to showcase cultural and language diversity, the platform continues to disrupt traditional media consumption habits and foster a vibrant community of audio enthusiasts, solidifying its position as a leader in the audio entertainment category.x
Snapchat – Instant Communication Redefined:
Snapchat that came to life in 2011 has transformed the way we communicate online with its emphasis on instant sharing and privacy. Beyond its roots as a photo-sharing app, Snapchat now offers videos, live video chatting, messaging, and even short-form content from major publishers. Its unique features, such as AR-based lenses and disappearing messages, add an element of creativity and spontaneity. Whether you’re capturing a hilarious moment or having a quick chat with friends, Snapchat’s quick and creative communication options make it a popular choice for users worldwide.
Netflix – The Streaming Giant:
Netflix that was founded in 1997, needs no introduction as the streaming giant that has revolutionized our video entertainment consumption. With its vast library of original series, films, and documentaries, it’s the ultimate destination for binge-watching enthusiasts. From the captivating worlds of The Witcher to the nostalgic charm of Stranger Things, Netflix’s hit originals dominate conversations and spark water cooler discussions. With a user-friendly interface, solid recommendations, and an ever-growing lineup of diverse content, Netflix continues to be the go-to platform for streaming enthusiasts.
Bumble – Empowering Connections:
Bumble (2014) is not just another dating app; it’s a platform that empowers women in the world of online dating. By allowing women to make the first move, Bumble gives them control over their connections and reduces unwanted messages. With support for diverse orientations and gender identifications, Bumble welcomes users from all walks of life. Its unique approach has gained popularity and turned it into a trusted platform for meaningful connections. When it comes to empowering and inclusive dating experiences, Bumble stands out from the crowd.
As we look to the future, it’s clear that the digital media domain will continue to evolve, with new apps and platforms emerging to capture the attention of consumers. The success of these apps is a testament to the ever-changing landscape of social media and entertainment, and how they have become an integral part of our daily lives. So, keep exploring, connecting, and experiencing the world through these new age apps that have truly ‘clicked’ with consumers.
The US has been debating over the past few years where to draw the line between curbing the online propagation of potentially dangerous information and the freedom of speech….reports Asian Lite News
President Joe Biden’s administration is prohibited from contacting social media companies concerning content moderation by a federal judge in the United States, reported Al Jazeera.
Judge Terry Doughty ordered the injunction in a court filing on Tuesday in response to a complaint filed by Republican Attorneys General in Louisiana and Missouri. They claim that in trying to push social media platforms to rectify inaccurate content, the government went too far. According to Doughty, the government’s efforts to curtail untrue statements about the COVID-19 pandemic and the election “arguably involve the most massive attack against free speech in United States history.”
Doughty, a federal judge appointed by former president Donald Trump, had earlier blocked the need that instructors to receive COVID-19 immunisation in January 2022, as per a report of Al Jazeera.
Additionally, he prohibited healthcare workers from being required to receive a vaccination; however, the US Supreme Court mainly overturned this decision.
His Tuesday filing makes multiple allusions to right-wing talking points. Even still, Republicans who contend that Biden, a Democrat, used the COVID-19 pandemic to censor speech in the name of battling “misinformation,” have celebrated Tuesday’s injunction as a triumph.
Senator Eric Schmitt of Missouri, a Republican, referred to the judgement as “a huge win for the First Amendment and a blow to censorship.” He accused the Biden administration of creating “a vast censorship enterprise” and colluding with media firms, according to Al Jazeera.
The US has been debating over the past few years where to draw the line between curbing the online propagation of potentially dangerous information and the freedom of speech.
Even still, Republicans who contend that Biden, a Democrat, used the COVID-19 pandemic to censor speech in the name of battling “misinformation,” have celebrated Tuesday’s injunction as a triumph.
Senator Eric Schmitt of Missouri, a Republican, referred to the judgement as “a huge win for the First Amendment and a blow to censorship.” Creating “a vast censorship enterprise” and “colluding” with media companies, he claimed, were actions taken by the Biden administration.
The US has been debating over the past few years where to draw the line between curbing the online propagation of potentially dangerous information and the freedom of speech.
Efforts to restrict, for example, false statements about the 2020 election have sparked complaints about conservative censorship on social media.
In Tuesday’s order, filed with the US District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, Judge Doughty made some exceptions to his injunction: The government could, for example, communicate with social media companies on issues of national security and criminal activity, Al Jazeera reported. (ANI)
Get your yoga aesthetics just right with Deepika Mehta, whose Instagram profile will leave you in awe of her breathtaking yoga poses…writes Olivia Sarkar
Do you enjoy working out? You can follow these profiles on Instagram if you want to do more with your yoga practice and be consistent with your workout routine and lead a healthy lifestyle. The Indian yoga influencers will leave you motivated by their personal fitness journeys.
Radhika Bose (555k followers)
In addition to being a yoga practitioner, Radhika Bose blogs on travel, fitness, and lifestyle. She is passionate about health and fitness and has a sizable 555k Instagram following. Her mother was diagnosed with a slipped disc, and doctors suggested that she start practising yoga. This was the beginning of her yoga journey. And after nine years of yoga practise, she decided to make it her career.
It takes a lot of time and effort to master the yoga discipline, but starting is never too late or too challenging.
Anshuka Parwani (272k followers)
One of India’s most influential yoga figures is the celebrity yoga instructor Anshuka Yoga. And you might be familiar with her as the person behind Kareena Kapoor Khan’s stunning pregnancy makeover. Anshuka has climbed the achievement ladder by putting in significant daily effort to alter her appearance.
She teaches Yogalates, a style of exercise that combines the benefits of both Mat Yoga and Mat Pilates in order to maximise the benefits of Yoga. Flyfit, on the other hand, blends traditional Mat Yoga poses with Pilate Techniques and is a combination of Aerial Yoga, Aerial Pilates, and Aerial Fitness. Isn’t that intriguing?
Deepika Mehta (246k followers)
Get your yoga aesthetics just right with Deepika Mehta, whose Instagram profile will leave you in awe of her breathtaking yoga poses. Her Instagram feed is filled with breathtaking pictures of yoga poses that exhibit perfect technique and dedication. She captures our attention with the proper alignment and precise skills that characterise the actual art of yoga.
Sunaina Rekhi (146k followers)
In addition to being a contemporary yogini and a perfect match for our list of the best Yoga influencers in India, Sunaina Rekhi is a yoga instructor and a health and lifestyle coach. She completed her training as a yoga instructor in Rishikesh, and now she instructs at a number of prominent yoga studios in the Mumbai area, inspiring many more people to take up the yoga practise.
She is one of the first Indian women to be chosen to represent yoga at the UN. Follow her on Instagram if you want a relaxing and engaging yoga session. Sunaina is a proponent of yoga as a way of life and of using yoga training to promote both mental and physical health.
Suvi Choudhury (133k followers)
Suvi Choudhury is an encouragement to everyone thinking about changing occupations because she is a mother, wife, and daughter. She started her foray into the yoga and fitness worlds in 2009. She has since received instruction in a variety of yoga disciplines, such as Ashtanga Vinyasa (L1 & L2), therapeutic yoga, Aerial Yoga, and Airo yoga.
While recovering from her slipped disc injury, she became proficient in the yoga discipline. She embarked on a new fitness mission as a result of that one problem. After spending numerous hours every day practising, she graduated to the level of expert yoga trainer.
Everyone who follows Natasha is aware of her love for her committed followers who keep up with her workout routine. Natasha maintains a tight exercise schedule to make sure she receives only positive energy. She encourages people to be patient with their bodies and to experiment as much as they can in order to emerge strong while promoting self-growth and healing via the practise of yoga.
You can find much more motivation on how one’s body can perform miracles with hard work by scrolling down her page. With her inspiring and engaging videos, she is dispelling stereotypes one at a time.
Neha Bangia (112k followers)
Neha is a fitness & lifestyle blogger, a Reebok & ACE trainer, a FLR Pilates trainer, and a mother of two kids. She is a role model for all women who think that marriage locks a lady inside her four walls. Yoga provides her a great surge of adrenaline, and without her yoga mat and sports shoes, Neha wouldn’t be who she is.
You’ll feel at ease and great after working out with this Instagram yoga and fitness influencer from India.
CEC emphasised that engagement of technology has become vital in ensuring inclusivity and transparency in elections…reports Asian Lite News
Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar on Monday flagged threats from deep fake narratives to elections worldwide.
Social media platforms ought to use their Algorithm power and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to detect deep fakes proactively, he added.
On pressing challenges before the Election Management Bodies, CEC Kumar stressed on the impact of new media, especially social media on the intersection of technology with EMB’s functioning. He added that a disturbing trend of deep fake narratives has become a common feature in elections worldwide, where disruptive elements attempt to alter public perception and mislead the user by repetitively presenting the deep fakes as “fact”.
While recalling his keynote address from the previous conference, Kumar stressed that social media intermediaries through their algorithm power and AI, have the capability to detect the deep fakes proactively, specially in jurisdictions like India, where electoral cycles are definite and well announced.
The CEC, along with Election Commissioner’s Anup Chandra Pandey and Arun Goel, inaugurated a two-day international conference on the theme ‘Use of Technology & Elections Integrity’ this morning.
The conference which is second in a series of three conferences to be organised by Election Commission of India is being hosted here under Cohort on Election Integrity led by ECI. A total of 16 countries, including Heads, Dy Heads of nine EMBs or Election Authorities are participating.
Kumar further raised concerns over level playing field not inbuilt in platforms search results to at least show officially verified versions with the same prominence as fake content. He used enforcement agencies analogy to put onus on social media platforms to detect deep fakes proactively.
He said that it is difficult to imagine if the enforcement agencies say that they would not act unless crime is reported to them; intelligence prevention is not their responsibility.
In his keynote address, the CEC emphasised that engagement of technology has become vital in ensuring inclusivity and transparency in elections and thus in further building up trust towards the democratic electoral exercise. The success of any EMB depends on deploying appropriate technology in three broad verticals – ease of registration for voters, facilitating political parties and candidates and thirdly for election management and logistics, security.
EC Arun Goel said that use of technology in election administration has become indispensable from automating basic processes to managing sophisticated electoral databases.
Goel highlighted various technology initiatives being used by ECI for managing a database of over 94.5 crore electors and to facilitate election related decision making like rationalisation of polling stations; technology for facilitating political parties/candidates and apps like cVigil to empower voters.
The digital giants are given time until Wednesday to complete the registration for licensing….reports Asian Lite News
The Indonesian authorities are set to block social media applications and online sites including Google, Facebook, and WhatsApp in several days if they fail to register with the country’s Ministry of Communications and Informatics.
The digital giants are given time until Wednesday to complete the registration for licensing. Otherwise, the ministry will name them illegal and unlawful in the country, Xinhua news agency reported.
“We have warned all local and foreign tech companies, including online services, sites, and application providers, many times that they have to register if they do not want to risk being blocked. We have given them time since six months ago,” the ministry’s Director General for Information Applications Semuel Abrijani told reporters on Tuesday.
The registration is part of the country’s new regulation starting from January 2022, saying all tech platforms must secure licenses to be able to operate. The regulation will allow the authorities to order the platforms to take down any contents considered unlawful, inappropriate and “disturb public order,” within four hours if deemed urgent, and 24 hours if not.
The Indonesian government is currently trying to reduce the spreading of misinformation and hoaxes, particularly ahead of the country’s general election in 2024.
Most popular live-streaming platforms are TikTok’s app Douyin, Alibaba Group’s Taobao Live, and Kuaishou Technology’s short video platform…reports Asian Lite News
Chinese regulators have moved to ban minors from live-streaming on various social media platforms to protect their physical and mental health, the media reported on Monday.
The new rules completely prohibit those under 16 from live-streaming, while users aged between 16 and 18 must obtain permission from their parents or guardians before doing live streams, reports the South China Morning Post.
“Internet platforms should a strictly implement the real-name registration requirement, and prohibit offering minors’ tipping services such as cash top-up, gift purchase, and online payment,” according to a statement issued by the regulators.
Most popular live-streaming platforms are TikTok’s app Douyin, Alibaba Group’s Taobao Live, and Kuaishou Technology’s short video platform.
The new requirements have been issued by four regulators, including the National Radio and Television Administration and the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC).
“If platforms are found to violate the above requirements, measures including suspension of the tipping feature and shutting down of the live-streaming business could be put in place,” the regulators mentioned.
Regulators said they want Big Tech to upgrade their “youth mode” to protect teenagers from gaming addiction and inappropriate content.
Last year, the regulators took action to only allow teenagers to play online games for three hours per week.
The Chinese regulators have introduced a series of “clear and bright” campaigns, targeting what it sees as “online chaos”.
Under the new IT rules 2021, big digital and social media platforms — with more than 5 million users — have to publish monthly compliance reports…reports Asian Lite News
Minister of State for Electronics and IT Rajeev Chandrasekhar said on Wednesday that despite the Twitter board accepting Elon Musk’s $44 billion takeover offer, the Indian guidelines for social media platforms will not change in order to protect users’ data privacy and safeguard them from any harm.
Speaking at the ‘Raisina Dialogue 2022’ here, the minister said the government’s guidelines on the social media intermediaries, including Twitter, will remain unchanged.
“Despite Elon Musk’s takeover of Twitter, IT guidelines governing the social media platforms remain the same. Social media needs to go beyond mere criminality and also expand focus on user harm when it comes to regulations,” Chandrasekhar told the audience.
The minister further said that algorithmic biases exist and therefore, “we need to create a mechanism to ensure accountability on algorithmic coding”.
In accordance with the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 (IT Rules), social media platforms are mandated to publish monthly transparency reports with details of complaints received from users in India and the actions taken, as well as removal actions taken as a result of automated detection.
Under the new IT rules 2021, big digital and social media platforms — with more than 5 million users — have to publish monthly compliance reports.
Earlier this week, the Twitter board accepted Musk’s $44 billion offer and the Tesla CEO made it clear that he will promote ‘free speech’ on his platform going forward, a move that has irked many.
Musk has said that free speech is the “bedrock of a functioning democracy, and Twitter is the digital town square where matters vital to the future of humanity are debated”.
If Twitter softens its stand on content moderation, it could allow more bullying, violent speech, hate speech, misinformation and other abusive content to gain ground.
“This may make Twitter less palatable to newcomers who were already wary about posting in a ‘public square’.
“It could also disincentivise advertisers from investing their budgets with the platform,” according to reports.
Obama said that while we’re reaping what social media companies have sown, it may not be too late to make different choices, reports TechCrunch…reports Asian Lite News
Former US President Barack Obama has broken his silence after a long time, saying that social media platforms are well-designed to destroy democracies.
Speaking at a Stanford University event late on Thursday, Obama called the present “another tumultuous, dangerous moment in history”.
“Disinformation is a threat to our democracy, and will continue to be unless we work together to address it,” he said.
Obama, who served as the 44th US President from 2009 to 2017, raised concerns on Russia’s 2016 election interference and the invasion of Ukraine.
“People like Putin, and Steve Bannon (Donald Trump’s senior advisor) for that matter, understand it’s not necessary for people to believe (misinformation) in order to weaken democratic institutions,” Obama emphasised.
“You just have to flood a country’s public square with enough raw sewage. You just have to raise enough questions, spread enough dirt, plan enough conspiracy theorising, that citizens no longer know what to believe,” he added.
Obama said that while we’re reaping what social media companies have sown, it may not be too late to make different choices, reports TechCrunch.
“Not all problems we are seeing now are an inevitable byproduct of this new technology. They’re also the result of very specific choices made by the companies that have come to dominate the internet, generally, and social media platforms in particular,” he noted.
In the competition between truth and falsehood, cooperation and conflict, “the very design of these platforms seems to be tilting us in the wrong direction. And we’re seeing the results,” Obama continued in his hour-long speech.
Popular social media platform TikTok and other fast-paced video apps could be ruining the attention span of the youth and children with an “endless flow” of pleasure via short, 15 second, videos, warns an expert from Oxford University…reports Asian Lite News
According to James Williams, an ethicist at Oxford, Chinese short-video making app TikTok is like a “candy store” full of “immediate pleasure”, Wall Street Journal reported.
“It’s like we’ve made kids live in a candy store and then we tell them to ignore all that candy and eat a plate of vegetables,” Williams was quoted as saying.
“We have an endless flow of immediate pleasures that’s unprecedented in human history,” he added.
Williams noted this could leave children struggling to focus on everyday tasks.
Prefrontal cortex is the area of the brain that helps humans control focus. While adults are able to fully use it, children cannot as the brain is still not fully developed until the age of 25.
Scientists warn that if the brain becomes accustomed to ‘constant changes’ – like those in the digital world – it finds it difficult to stay focused, Daily Mail reported.
The short-video platform was also an instant success in India soon after it launched in September 2016. Though it was banned in the country in June 2020, over national security issues, several homegrown short-form video platforms hurriedly filled the vacuum. They now collectively attract over 240 million active monthly users.
To take on TikTok, Meta, formerly Facebook, had also launched Reels on Instagram. With Reels, one can record and edit 15-30 second multi-clip videos with audio, effects and new creative tools.
TikTok and others draw users by monitoring which videos they spend the longest watching, and then showing them more videos similar to these.
Studies show that when users watch these it activates centres of the brain involved in addiction, further making it harder to put down the app.
TikTok is the second most popular social media platform among children in the US, after YouTube, with around 60 per cent of those aged 12 to 15 using it weekly.
A TikTok spokeswoman told WSJ that the app had recently made changes to curb extensive use of the app, including blocking users under-15 from receiving notifications beyond 9 p.m. and sending them regular reminders to take a break, the report said.
