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.
My Top 10 Most Popular Articles of 2022
The Top Ten most-read articles on my site in 2022. Artificial intelligence (AI), tech ethics, the metaverse, parenting, smartphone addiction, Zoom calls, and much more.
What are ‘Dark Patterns’? Recognising and Resisting Deceptive Design
What is deceptive design and how do you recognise and resist the ‘dark patterns’ that make up its tricks and techniques?
AI-Generated Art isn’t all Dogs Doing Yoga (Sadly)
AI-generated art from DALL-E to Stable Diffusion creates bizarre and beautiful images. But what are the costs to society of tools like these?
Europe is Coming For Big Tech
The EU Digital Markets Act takes aim at the walled gardens of BIg Tech to make them more open. ‘Gatekeepers’ will be subject to tough rules.
Digital Youth Index Reveals UK Online Experiences
The UK’s annual Digital Youth Index reveals young internet users’ perceptions of their internet safety and digital wellbeing.
The Biggest Problem With DeepFakes isn’t The DeepFakes
The threat from deepfakes may not be how good they are, but that their existence undermines trust in news, playing into the hands of agents of misinformation.
Understanding Kids in the Metaverse
The merging of physical and digital for kids in the Metaverse is fraught with potential risks. The digital world was not designed for children.
Algorithms and A Levels
The use of an algorithm to award A Level grades in the UK highlighted problems of algorithmic accountability, transparency and ethics.
TikTok’s deadly challenges
Children are taking part in TikTok’s viral challenges; encouraging them to perform harmful, criminal, and sometimes deadly acts.
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."