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.
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.
The battery life of your phone could affect your loan application
Is how often you drain your phone battery a good indicator of your credit worthiness? Lack of algorithmic transparency in financial services means we may not know.
Teens turning to TikTok and Instagram for news
More teens than ever get their news from social media platform like TikTok and Instagram, rather than from TV or print according to Ofcom.
Technology is changing the way young girls see themselves
Sophisticated AR-based image editing tools are changing how young girls and women view standards of beauty, harming their mental health.
Counterspeech could help fight online hate
Counterspeech is an effective method for dealing with online abuse, helping to change beliefs and build resilience. Could AI deploy it at scale?
Is TikTok Spying on its users?
TikTok recently admitted some China-based employees can access information from American users. Is the app really spying on its users?
Roe v Wade highlights the need for Femtech caution
With Roe v Wade overturned last week, US woman should be aware of how Femtech, including period tracker data, could now be used against them.
The Compelling Case Against Crypto
Is crypto a monetary revolution with vast technological and financial potential, or a Ponzi Scheme perfectly designed for criminal enterprise and fraud?
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."