“Young people want quality news content, they are crying out for more information, but they find the current offering boring[.]” Having grown up with social media, which emphasises personality more than anything else, many from Gen Z find the formality of traditional news broadcasting quite unappealing. Need to Know is a new outlet exclusively operating on social media that aims to inform young people about current events in a palatable format, using bright colours, flashing lights, and banners to highlight important information in its short-form news clips. Read full article here
Societal Issues
To curb drug deaths, communities turn to Reddit, texts and wastewater
With drug overdose deaths on the rise, authorities are attempting to curb the epidemic by tracking and sharing information in real time. In one unique effort, a nonprofit in New York City is using drug-testing equipment and stamping or marking habits of dealers to identify drug batches that may endanger users. Other approaches are also being used, such as monitoring drug-related chatter on Reddit and analyzing local wastewater for opioid and other drug levels. With the combination of these efforts, researchers hope to put a dent in the opioid crisis and reduce overdose deaths. Read full article here
Merv
June 1, 2023
