Archive for the ‘Social Networking’ Category

Raising Voices, revelations and social networking in a teen drama on Netflix – Sortiraparis

Raising Voices, Spanish teen drama series centered on an unsettling mystery, from May 31, 2024 on Netflix.

Raising Voices, a captivating eight-part Spanish series, delves into the complex and often tumultuous world of modernadolescence. Created by Miguel Sez Carral, the series follows the lives of Alma and her close friends, Greta and Nata, through the challenges of high school life, strained family relationships and personal dilemmas. But an unexpected event on social networks turns their already fragile daily lives upside down.

As Alma, on the cusp of graduating from high school, navigates the joys and sorrows shared with Greta and Nata, everything changes with a shocking social media post by @Iam_colemanmiller. The photo, accompanied by the caption "This was me before I was raped", launched a veritable hurricane of questions and suspicions. Who is behind this profile? Is the accusation true? If so, who is the victim? The series unfolds a fascinating and painful tale of the impact of social networks, hidden violence and the quest for truth in a society often too quick to judge.

Raising Voices is aimed primarily at teenagers and young adults, but its reach could extend to anyone interested in contemporary social dynamics and the effects of social networks on our perception of truth. The series stands out for its sensitive, uncompromising approach to difficult subjects such as sexual violence and its psychological repercussions, while offering a refreshing perspective on friendship and resilience.

With its blend of drama, suspense and deep emotion, Raising Voices is set to make its mark when it hits Netflix on May 31, 2024. The series invites viewers to reflect on important issues. The series promises an authentic exploration of teenage life in the modern digital world.

Netflix: the new films and series for May 2024 Netflix subscribers, find out what's new in May 2024: films, series, documentaries and more. [Read more]

New films and series to watch in May 2024 on streaming platforms Don't know what to watch? To find your way around the endless catalogs of streaming platforms, rely on our guide! Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, Paramount+, Apple TV+... Here's a quick roundup of the films and series you need to see right now. [Read more]

Streaming: what are we watching this Wednesday May 15th, 2024 on Netflix, Amazon and Disney+ platforms? Feeling like curling up in front of the TV today? We've got the week's releases on your favorite streaming platforms, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Disney+! [Read more]

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Raising Voices, revelations and social networking in a teen drama on Netflix - Sortiraparis

Of social media ‘likes’, fake friends and the true reflections on life – Nation

This week, I have been thinking a lot about Ivan Illych, the central character in Leo Tolstoys novella,The Death of Ivan Illych.

This was partly because we spent two days at the work fellowship learning about relationships, and partly because, yet another friend quit social media after she went through a particularly bad experience that made her realise she didnt have real friends on social media.

Well, let me tell you about Ivan Illych, before I continue with my reflections on relationships.

Tolstoy writes about a man whose life crashes just when he thinks it has started. Going by the standards of the 19th century when the book was first published, Ivan, a high ranking official in the Judiciary (maybe in Kenyas standards hed be the Director of Public Prosecutions) lives perfectly for The Gram.

He hangs out with the right squad, at the right locations Let's just say everything about his life isinstagrammable. When we are introduced to Ivan, his death has just been announced.

Those he devoted his life to, aka fake friends, are discussing the promotions his death will occasion for them. Let that sink in.

Ivan Ilych valued the wrong things throughout his life. His problem is tied to his desire to look cool and fit in, basically doing things for The Gram.

For example, he married a wife he did not love and who clearly didnt love him back because she belonged to the right family and fits well with Ivans aspirations of class.

This applies to his friendships as well. Instead of investing in genuine relationships, in friendships that truly matter, and caring for his family, he spent his life mingling with people of high society who did not care about him, but who only entertained him because his position suited their social strata.

The book is poignant and invites me to truly interrogate if I spend my time with people who truly matter.

Humans are innately social beings, which means we were created to connect with others, in one shape or form. As we get older, we discover the kind of people we want to keep as friends, depending on values, interests and other such factors.

But there is also something bigger we discover: Not every relationship carries the same weight. Some people you encounter in life come to help us fulfil crucial life assignments while other connections are merely seasonal.

That is why we need wisdom to distinguish between general friendships and relationships that could be tied to our destinies. The speaker at the fellowship (the Head of Marketing) called such relationships destiny relationships.

They include relationships with our parents, siblings, mentors, children or spouses, and so on.

That session also made me think about the dangers of failing to pay attention to critical relationships in our lives not calling that aunt who is always there for us, forgetting to text that friend who never misses our big milestones or not checking up on our siblings.

Our generation is especially at risk of glossing over important relationships because of how increasingly possible it is to replace real life interactions with likes and double taps.

I have a challenge for you: Do you know your tier 1 and tier 2 relationships? Using a house analogy: Who are the friends you only allow into your living room? And who are the friends you can allow not just into your living room but bedroom and kitchen as well?

Nurturing solid relationships needs genuine interest and honest effort. This doesnt mean falling over yourself to duplicate everything your friend does for you. It means being present in your own way for your friends and family.

Do not be that person who has time to reply to 500 comments on TikTok but you do not have even five minutes to return your friends missed call.

If you had an emergency, who is likely to come to your aid? A random person who commented twice on your reel, or your sister who is always cheering you on? I am not saying close down your social media accounts.

However, do not lose yourself or the people who truly care about you while chasing after a crowd that will so willingly drop you for the next shiny thing that shows up.

In the same way you expect your friends and family to be loyal to you and to always have your back, use the same standard in the way that you interact and treat people.

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Of social media 'likes', fake friends and the true reflections on life - Nation

Alia Bhatt lands on ‘Blockout’ list over Gaza crisis silence – NewsBytes

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Amid Alia Bhatt's global appearances, including the recent Met Gala and Gucci Cruise 2025, she has now found herself in a controversy. The "Blockout 2024" movement has added her name to their list, criticizing her silence on the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza. This movement, gaining traction on TikTok and other social networking sites, involves social media users blocking celebrities perceived as indifferent to the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict.

The Blockout 2024 movement accuses Bhatt and other global stars of complicity due to their perceived inaction on the Gaza crisis. Over 100 celebrities, including Taylor Swift, Nick Jonas, Rihanna, BLACKPINK, and Kim Kardashian, are on the list. These stars attended high-profile events but allegedly remained silent on this pressing humanitarian issue. The list is being shared among social media users along with links to celebrity handles.

Since the war erupted on October 7, 2023, with Hamas's deadly attacks, Israel's military has killed more than 35,000 people in Gaza, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which doesn't distinguish between civilians and combatants. The Blockout movement started around the same time as the Met Gala. When images of Israel launching a military operation in the southern Gaza city of Rafah circulated, some users highlighted the stark contrast between the gala's celebrity opulence and the dire situation in Gaza.

The Met Gala 2024 has become a focal point of the Blockout 2024 movement's frustration. The event, attended by A-list celebrities from various entertainment spheres, drew parallels to the Hollywood movie Hunger Games among social media users. Pro-Palestinian activists have urged these stars to use their influence to advocate for a ceasefire in Gaza. However, even attempts by celebrities to address these demands have faced criticism for alleged "opportunism."

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Alia Bhatt lands on 'Blockout' list over Gaza crisis silence - NewsBytes

3 reasons WhatsApp could be your next big social network – Android Police

Social media is a bit of a mess in 2024. Facebook and Instagram are being inundated with AI search functionality, TikTok is on the verge of a national ban in the US, and Twitter/X has been well, lets just say that Elon Musk hasnt exactly improved the platform since acquiring it in 2022. To users of these services, it would seem that people looking to connect with their friends and family while staying up to date on current events might soon be left without a non-toxic option. But thats not entirely the case if youre willing to look in unconventional places.

Thats right, WhatsApp the popular messaging app has been rolling out some features that seem like they belong in its other Meta-owned social media counterparts. Sure, emoji reactions on WhatsApp are a start, but this goes far beyond that. As a result, these features have made WhatsApp a viable option for those looking for a stripped-down version of social media that wont devolve into petty arguments and cannon fodder for porn bots. Here are some of the reasons why WhatsApp might be your new favorite social media app for your excellent Android phone or computer.

WhatsApp has largely been geared towards person-to-person communication over the years, but in 2022, the service took a big step in providing more group-centric functionality with the Communities feature. This lets users more effectively organize groups and subgroups, allowing for more comprehensive communication. Its not too dissimilar to Discord, allowing you to combine and communicate with particular facets of your life in one place.

Thats not all though. In 2023, WhatsApp also added a Channels feature, which allows you to follow brands for updates. In essence, its just a one-sided WhatsApp message in which a brand, like the New York Times or BuzzFeed, provides regular updates about current events, not entirely unlike a Twitter thread.

WhatsApp, like pretty much all social media apps at this point in history, offers a Status update feature, which operates similarly to that of Instagram or Facebook. Post a picture or write an update, and your contacts can see and interact with it. It even shows up as a little bubble on your Updates tab, although the circle is, of course, green instead of blue or orange like the other Meta-owned platforms.

Granted, this isnt necessarily a new feature. In fact, status updates have been available on WhatsApp since 2017, with the app rolling out the functionality as a response to Snapchat Stories, which were becoming increasingly popular around the same time. Still, WhatsApp is always improving app functionality, so its safe to assume that Status updates will continue to evolve with the times.

Its clear that WhatsApp is leaning into the social media element a bit more, as the service has future plans that will make your actual social life that much easier. Calendar organization for groups, for example, is a feature that would allow you to schedule meetups with users in your group chats. Granted, there is no release date for this feature, but these kinds of leaks prove that WhatsApp is more than happy to be lumped in with its social media compatriots.

Suffice it to say, WhatsApp is making a case for itself as a social media platform that isn't as toxic as Twitter/X, as convoluted as Facebook and Instagram, or as steeped in controversy as TikTok. Even better, the platform is owned by Meta, so there's a good chance that more and more features will roll out to establish it even further as a viable alternative to these legacy platforms.

Let's be honest, though, if you're getting sick of social media, it probably wouldn't hurt to log off and touch some grass. Because while the WhatsApp logo may be green, it won't give you the same feeling as a little bit of fresh air.

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3 reasons WhatsApp could be your next big social network - Android Police

Why removing protections on social media in the name of free speech is bad for peacebuilding – The Conversation

On May 16 the world will mark the UN International Day of Living Together in Peace. It is a rallying call for people to listen respectfully to others and promote tolerance and understanding.

Perhaps someone should tell tech entrepreneurs Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk. The online platforms they head up Facebook, Instagram, Twitter/X have become synonymous with fake news, hate speech, misinformation and other online harms.

Social media has been widely blamed for destabilising democracies and fomenting civil unrest in Europe and North America. In July 2023, the French president, Emmanuel Macron, proposed restricting access to online platforms in order to quell rioting.

This is a far cry from 2009, when Facebook proudly claimed it had created friendships between seemingly irredeemably rival groups: Sunni and Shia Muslims, Muslims and Jews, Pakistanis and Indians, Greeks and Turks, conservatives and liberals.

Peace on Facebook was a classic example of what social scientist Nicholas John refers to as social media bullshit. Such PR blurb is designed to convince the public these tech companies are a force for good. They purposefully describe themselves as platforms rather than commercial entities to emphasise how benign they are.

In reality, these companies financially benefit from every click, like, share and comment users on their platforms make. The more inflammatory the content, the more profitable it is. My research shows that such online incivility only makes it harder to promote peaceful coexistence

There appears little chance of social media platforms taking stronger action to remove divisive content. Since tech entrepreneur Elon Musks acquisition of the X (formerly Twitter) microblogging platform in October 2022, the guardrails designed to protect minorities have, in fact, been dismantled.

Twitters Trust and Safety Council was dissolved in December 2022. This move, among many other policy changes, prompted an insider to go public with their fears that the site could no longer protect users from trolling, disinformation and sexual exploitation.

Musk has reportedly described himself as a free speech absolutist. This is particularly problematic for those whose real job it is to promote peace in deeply divided societies.

There is already extensive evidence that online platforms such as Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) have been used to spread hate speech. They have been used to incite sectarian violence, too, in countries including India and Myanmar.

In Sri Lanka, following anti-Muslim rioting in 2018, Facebook issued an apology for its role in the unrest. The company hired Article One, the human rights consultancy, to investigate what had happened. It concluded that the hate speech and misinformation that was amplified by Facebook users online may have led to violence offline.

My research shows that rumours, misinformation and disinformation have frequently been amplified by social media during contentious parades and protests in Northern Ireland. There is little evidence that such online activity inevitably leads to sectarian rioting. The indirect effects of online incivility, however, is that it makes it harder to promote reconciliation between former antagonists.

In effect, online platforms at present focus more attention on what divides rather than unites different communities.

Research shows that unsupervised intergroup contact, both on and offline, is unlikely to foster positive peace in societies that are transitioning out of conflict. Reducing prejudices against outgroups is much easier when there are rules in place to respond to content that inflames tensions between different communities. In other words, rival groups are unlikely to find common ground in unregulated online spaces where hate speech flourishes.

Clearly, frequent exposure to the online hate speech amplified by social media platforms is unlikely to aid peacebuilding. Communities who do not typically share the same physical space are unlikely to think differently about each other when they see such negative stereotypes being perpetuated online.

Social media such as Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) might not be the best place to promote peace. These platforms are designed to generate profit, not improve community relations.

For intergroup dialogue in contemporary societies to be effective minorities and vulnerable communities need stronger protections, not less. A public service internet, guardrails included, might be a better way to promote reconciliation in divided societies.

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Why removing protections on social media in the name of free speech is bad for peacebuilding - The Conversation