THINKING
Tanya writes regularly on tech ethics, digital wellbeing, digital detox, Big Tech, screen-life balance, cybersafety, AI, persuasive tech, the attention economy and other topical issues related to the digital world.
The Facebook Oversight Board: Solution or Smokescreen?
Facebook’s Oversight Board is an attempt to self-moderate content on the platform, without bowing to external regulation. But is it working?
Over half of UK children had a negative experience online in 2020
While the internet was a vital lifeline in 2020 for education and socialising, over half of UK children reported having a negative experience online last year.
Social Media and Mental Health Pressures will not be Eased by Hiding ‘Likes’
Social media and mental health issues will not be alleviated by Instagram hiding ‘likes’, much though Facebook might want us to think that.
Who Spreads Misinformation, and How Can We Spot It?
Misinformation can be deadly, but is often spread by those close to us, and may even be spread unintentionally ourselves. What are the signs?
Sport’s Social Media Boycott
An 81-hour social media boycott is taking place by some of UK sports biggest organisations to protest against online racist abuse.
Big Tech’s Factory Floor
The ‘factory floor’ of Big Tech are the forgotten workers behind our shiny apps; the Facebook content moderators, the Amazon warehouse workers…
The Pen is Mightier than the Keyboard
Handwriting on paper may be better for our brains than typing on a screen and also help us recall information better. Who knew?
Suddenly, Google finds it cares about user privacy
Google announced plans to stop selling targeted ads based on users’ browser histories, a move it claims is a response to user privacy concerns.
Zoom is Killing our Digital Wellbeing
No, you’re not imagining it. Zoom fatigue is real and it’s crippling our digital wellbeing. How can we avoid it while still in a pandemic?
BOOKS
Tanya is the author of three books on our complicated relationship with technology:
‘My Brain Has Too Many Tabs Open’, ‘Off.’ and ‘Stop Staring at Screens’ are all out now.
My Brain Has Too Many Tabs Open
“Highly readable…attainable and realistic ways to reduce technology use and alleviate the burdens it can place on us as individuals and on our relationships.”
OFF: Your Digital Detox for a Better Life
"She presents simple ideas alongside practical suggestions for how to implement them - leaving you inspired and motivated by the end."
Stop Staring at Screens!
"Perhaps the best compliment I can pay this is that as soon as I started reading this, my 13-year-old son started looking over my shoulder, and in short order said, "I want to read this as soon as you're done. And I want to do this."