Online Communities stories

Parents are being urged to spot warning signs their children are being drawn into secretive online ‘Com’ networks linked to abuse.

Moltbook, the all-bot social network, faces scrutiny after researchers reportedly accessed its live database and user emails without checks.

LG showcases “Affectionate Intelligence” at CES 2026, weaving AI through homes, cars and entertainment under “Innovation in tune with you”.

Neighbourly breach puts up to a million users at risk as stolen GPS data and messages hit dark web, experts urge extreme vigilance online.

Neighbourly has been taken offline while Stuff and external experts probe claims of a data breach affecting the community website’s users.

AI agents will reshape brand discovery by 2026, Kantar predicts, as marketers race to optimise for algorithmic assistants and micro‑communities.

Young Australian men are ditching pub nights for online gaming, as new research shows digital hangouts now rival bars for socialising.

Australia’s new social media ban tests tech, parents and business to protect teens, demanding deeper digital literacy and safer algorithms.

Media.com touts a fully verified social network as Australia and other nations tighten age limits and safety rules on big platforms.

Australia’s youth social media ban forces brands and cyber experts to rethink risk, digital literacy and how they reach young audiences.

Gen Z is turning away from polished ads and backing creators, forcing brands to pivot towards social commerce and community-led influence.

YouTube has launched its first personalised Recap in New Zealand, giving signed-in viewers sharable year-end summaries of their watching habits.

Stack Overflow launches AI Assist, blending community-verified answers with AI to enhance developer support and ensure accuracy in technical guidance.

K-pop and gaming dominated YouTube trends in Canada for 2025, with hit songs and creators shaping a diverse digital cultural landscape.

Msg1 introduces multilingual messaging to help creators monetise meaningful, direct conversations with global audiences beyond language barriers.

Gen Z expects a digital economy that moves as fast and fluidly as their online lives, demanding real-time, seamless monetary interactions and value exchange.

‘Parasocial’ named Cambridge Dictionary Word of the Year 2025, reflecting growing ties with celebrities, influencers and AI chatbots in unseen one-sided bonds.

Australians spend 41 hours weekly online, with digital ad spend surging to USD $20.7 billion, driven by social media and influencer marketing growth.

A dNOVO survey reveals Canadians trust AI search tools least of all sectors, with a score of 1.91, even below lawmakers at 2.08.

A fellowship in Malaysia empowers 35 content creators and youth leaders to combat AI-driven scams, reaching over five million online users with digital safety messages.