Tuesday, May 5, 2026
Top Posts
Home » Social Media
Tag:

Social Media

Community

From Isolation to Instagram Fame: How a Young Mother Built a Village Online

by faeze mohammadi

A 24-year-old mother from Jersey has tapped into the power of social media to combat the loneliness of early motherhood, creating a thriving digital community that offers support and friendship to parents around the world.

Nia Shisel’s journey into motherhood began at the age of 20, a time she describes as isolating. Unlike many of her peers, she was the first in her friend group to have a baby.

“None of my friends had children, and I felt very alone,” Shisel recalls, highlighting a common experience for many new, young parents.

Turning Loneliness into a Digital Lifeline

To bridge this gap and connect with others who understood her new reality, Shisel turned to Instagram. She began authentically sharing the highs and lows of her daily life as a young mother—from the joyful milestones to the overwhelming “chaos of motherhood,” as she puts it.

What started as a personal diary quickly evolved into something much larger. Her relatable content resonated with thousands of other parents who were also seeking connection and validation.

The Pillars of Her Success and Well-being

Shisel, who now boasts a community of over 10,000 followers, credits two key elements for helping her adapt and thrive:

  1. Connection with Other Parents Online: Her Instagram account became more than a platform; it became a support network. This digital village provided her with advice, empathy, and a powerful sense of belonging.
  2. The Healing Power of Nature: Beyond the digital world, Shisel emphasizes the crucial, calming role that spending time in nature has played in her approach to raising her child. She advocates for the outdoors as a vital tool for both parental and child well-being.

A Testament to Modern Community Building

Nia Shisel’s story is a powerful example of how social media can be used to create positive, supportive spaces. She has transformed her initial feelings of isolation into a thriving online community that normalizes the challenges of parenting and celebrates its everyday joys. Her account stands as a testament to the fact that in the digital age, your support system—your “village”—can be just a click away.

BBC

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
faith

The Unwatched: Modesty, Social Media, and True Freedom

by خانم هاشمی

In a world that urges constant exposure and display, modesty—or ḥayāʾ—is not the enemy of freedom, but rather its guardian. It is the freedom from being enslaved by the gaze of others. When faith takes hold, true modesty arises.

The Changing Landscape of Modesty

In our fast-moving era, where social media blurs the boundary between private and public life, a concept once considered a cornerstone of ethics now seems unfamiliar—or even regressive: the concept of ḥayāʾ.

In the teachings of Islam, ḥayāʾ marks the presence of faith, and the awareness of God’s constant watchfulness. Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (A.S.) states in the collection Nahj al‑Balāgha: “Fear of God is the chief trait of human character.” (Ḥikmah 410) Yet in modern society, human beings are defined not by God but by the reactions of others and by their own desires. The eminent sociologist Max Weber, in his work The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism, speaks of the “secularization of motives” — where the worth of one’s action depends not on divine intention but on social utility.

When Modesty Becomes Marketable

In such an environment, immodesty is no longer merely a moral fault—it becomes part of the market logic and the media apparatus. Jean Baudrillard in The Consumer Society shows how the display of the body, desire, and pleasure becomes tools for profit and wealth creation. In short: what once was morally “improper” is now commercially “encouraged”.

The natural outcome is the breakdown of privacy. Anthony Giddens writes in Modernity and Self-Identity of the “structural immodesty” of modern life—people are ceaselessly observed, and their identity is formed in the mirror of other people’s eyes.

Modesty as Guardian, Not Restriction

In response, religion reminds us that ḥayāʾ is not a limitation but a protector of human dignity and honour. Imam Jaʿfar al‑Ṣādiq (A.S.) is reported to have said: “Modesty is one of the five distinguishing features of a human being.” While we may not always locate the exact source, this saying reflects the deep-rooted ethical tradition.

When a person recognises their true worth, modesty follows naturally—not as suppression, but as self-care.

Reclaiming Modesty in the Digital Age

Our society needs a fundamental re-definition of this forgotten virtue. In the digital era, ḥayāʾ means: managing oneself intelligently under the limitless gaze of others; having the capacity to say “no” to the urge to lay everything bare. If the logic of the media prizes “being seen”, the logic of faith honours “not being seen for anyone but God.”

Bringing ḥayāʾ back to life in the modern society is about bringing God back into the human horizon: reminding ourselves that before any virtual viewer, there is One real Observer who sees everything. As the Qur’an (96:14) asks: “Does He not know that God sees?”

If this deep awareness takes root in today’s generation, it might help heal large parts of the spiritual crisis, narcissism and social anxiety we face.

Conclusion

Once again: modesty is not the adversary of freedom, but the guardian of inner freedom—from the tyranny of others’ gaze. In a world that shouts “everything must be displayed”, ḥayāʾ is the courage to not see and not be seen—the courage from which faith begins.

en.jahanbanou.ir

From: Tasnimnews

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Europe

Australia’s Social Media Ban for Under 16 Gains Global Praise

by خانم هاشمی

Australia’s groundbreaking initiative to prohibit social media use for individuals under 16 has garnered international acclaim, positioning the country as a leader in digital child protection.

A Landmark Decision at the United Nations

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced at the United Nations General Assembly in New York that Australia would implement a ban on social media usage for those under 16, effective December 10, 2025. This legislation, passed in November 2024, raises the minimum age for creating social media accounts from 13 to 16. The move aims to protect young Australians from the detrimental effects of excessive social media use, including mental health issues, misinformation, cyberbullying, and exposure to inappropriate content.

A Personal Tragedy Sparks Global Advocacy

Emma Mason, a mother from Sydney, shared the heartbreaking story of her 15-year-old daughter, Tilly, who died by suicide after enduring relentless online bullying. Emma’s emotional testimony at the UN event, where she described her daughter’s experience as “dying from a thousand cuts,” received a standing ovation. She passionately advocated for global legislation to restrict children’s access to social media, emphasizing the need for protective measures to prevent similar tragedies.

International Leaders Express Support

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen praised Australia’s decision, calling it “plain common sense” and expressing a commitment to consider similar measures within the European Union. Leaders from Greece, Malta, Fiji, and Tonga also voiced their support for the initiative, highlighting the global recognition of the importance of safeguarding children in the digital age.

Australia’s Commitment to Child Protection

The Australian government’s decision to ban social media for individuals under 16 reflects a strong commitment to protecting the well-being of young people. By delaying access to social media, the policy aims to provide children with more time to develop resilience and critical thinking skills in the real world, free from the pressures and risks associated with online platforms.

Australia’s pioneering approach sets a precedent for other nations to consider similar measures in the ongoing effort to create safer digital environments for children worldwide.

en.jahanbanou.ir

From: fars

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Society

Australia to Ban YouTube for Under‑16s Starting December 2025

by خانم هاشمی

The Australian federal government has declared that, effective from December 10, 2025, individuals under 16 will be barred from holding YouTube accounts, aligning the platform with existing age‑restriction laws already applied to Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, and X. The initiative aims to shield young people from harmful and unhealthy online content.

New Policy Overview

Australia’s recent legislation, passed in November 2024 and set to take effect on December 10, 2025, mandates that social media platforms enforce a strict minimum user age of 16. Initially YouTube was exempted, given its educational use. However, the government reversed this decision following recommendations from the eSafety Commissioner, citing that existing evidence showed nearly 37% of Australian teens aged 10–15 had encountered harmful content on YouTube.

Why Include YouTube?

eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant advised that YouTube’s autoplay features and recommendation algorithms exposed young users to violence, hate speech, and toxic behavior similarly to other social media. Consequently, the platform must now prevent under‑16s from registering, maintaining, or using verified accounts. Fines for non-compliance may reach up to AUD 49.5 million.

Implementation Details

From December 10, minors under 16 will no longer be permitted to create YouTube accounts or maintain existing ones. While they can still watch public and educational videos anonymously, features like commenting, subscribing, recommendations, or uploading content will be disabled unless they are registered as adults. Meanwhile YouTube Kids remains accessible and is exempt under the law’s educational services exception.

Enforcement and Age Assurance

Platforms must take “reasonable steps” to prevent under‑16s from circumventing restrictions. These may include:

  • Government ID + selfie verification
  • Facial age estimation tools
  • Verification via mobile or banking providers
    Parental consent will not override the age restriction. The eSafety Commissioner will oversee enforcement and may impose significant fines on non-compliant companies.

Public Response & Criticisms

Supporters, including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Communications Minister Anika Wells, describe the policy as crucial for protecting youth mental health and combating algorithmic harms. However critics argue the rule is overly broad and may cut off neurodivergent teens or creative young users who benefit from content creation. Age‑verification trials have also raised concerns about privacy and effectiveness, with tests misclassifying young users’ ages in some cases.

Bottom Line

As of December 10, 2025, Australian youth under 16 will be prohibited from holding YouTube accounts. They will retain access to public videos anonymously, while YouTube Kids remains available. The measure forms part of a pioneering regulatory approach to limit children’s exposure to harmful online content across major platforms.

en.jahanbanou.i

From: Australian Government eSafety Commission, ABC News Australia, The Daily Telegraph Australia

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Asia

China Outraged Over Telegram Photo Scandal

by خانم هاشمی

According to Chinese media, over 100,000 people were members of a Telegram group where images of women were shared without their consent.

Public shock over hidden‑camera Telegram forum

Following reporting on the existence of encrypted Telegram groups where secretly taken photos and videos of women—including sexually explicit images—were circulated, public outrage has surged across Chinese social media.

Chinese state‑run Southern Daily reported that a Telegram group called the “MaskPark tree hole forum” had more than 100,000 members—predominantly Chinese men—sharing non‑consensual sexual images including content secretly filmed using pinhole cameras in public and private locations.

Secret filming with hidden cameras

According to Chinese press, participants in the group used miniature “pinhole” or “needle‑eye” cameras disguised as everyday items—such as power sockets, screws, bottles, or incense holders—to secretly film women in places like malls, restrooms, university dorms, and even homes. Some videos were reportedly sold within the group or sub‑forums for profit.

China Outraged Over Telegram
Photos circulating online from the “MaskPark Treehole Forum” on Telegram

Comparisons to South Korea’s “Nth Room” scandal

Observers have likened the group’s activities to South Korea’s infamous “Nth Room” case, where women were coerced or blackmailed into sharing explicit content that was then distributed on Telegram channels for thousands of paying users.

Access, censorship and social media reaction

Telegram is officially blocked in China, but users access it via VPNs. Hashtags related to the scandal on Weibo have reached over 270 million views, although some content has been censored, with searches returning messages such as, “This content cannot be displayed under relevant regulations”.

Experts warn that existing Chinese laws are insufficient: unauthorised filming may carry only short administrative penalties, while distributing pornography can result in up to two years in prison—yet enforcement remains uneven and victims often face legal and cultural barriers to seeking justice. Activists are calling for stronger protections, legal reform, and attention to systemic misogyny.

en.jahanbanou.ir

From: khabarfoori

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Community

Selena Gomez discusses the negative impact of social media on women

by faeze mohammadi

Pop star and actress Selena Gomez emphasized in an interview with CNN that women face significantly tougher challenges than men when dealing with negative comments and appearance-based judgments on social media.


In a conversation with CNN’s Ji Shetty, Selena Gomez addressed the adverse effects of social media on women, stating, “Women, especially when targeted with destructive comments and criticism about their looks, endure far greater psychological pressure online. This burden is much lighter for men.”

Reflecting on her personal experiences, she added, “Society constantly measures women against unrealistic beauty standards. These judgments intensify on social media and undermine self-confidence.” Gomez admitted she occasionally reads users’ comments but stressed that she refuses to let them impact her personal life or mental well-being.

The 31-year-old artist also revealed she has removed social media apps from her phone. However, she acknowledged the positive aspects of these platforms, such as connecting with fans and sharing uplifting messages.


Psychologists argue Gomez’s remarks reflect a reality many women grapple with in the digital age. Studies indicate that women who spend more time on social media face increased anxiety, decreased body satisfaction, and eating disorders. Human rights organizations have also urged stricter regulations to combat online harassment and discriminatory content.


By sharing her story, Gomez has sparked a broader conversation about the damaging effects of social media on women. While advocating for mental health preservation online, she has taken a practical step by distancing herself from these platforms. Her stance raises a critical question: Should tech giants not take more responsibility for creating safer digital environments, particularly for women?

CNN

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Australia and Oceania

In Australia, older people love social media

by faeze mohammadi

According to the Digital 2024 report, 78.3% of Australians regularly use platforms such as Facebook and Instagram—mainly for keeping in touch with friends and family. Perhaps surprisingly, a large proportion of these users are older people.

The Digital 2024 report also shows that 21.3% of Meta’s ad audience in Australia (on Messenger, Facebook and Instagram) are 55 years or older. This makes it the second largest age group after 25–34 year olds (25.4%).

So what does research say about how social media affects older people’s social lives and well-being?

Older adults & Social media

 The digital divide is shrinking as older generations embrace social media. According to data from earlier this year, more than 70% of Australians aged 65 and older use social media to some degree.

Facebook remains the most popular among this demographic, serving as a gateway to reconnect with family and long-lost friends. Beyond reconnecting, our research indicates older adults often use these platforms to share memories, participate in community groups and access news.

This growing trend is driven by both internal and external factors. Research shows many older users are motivated by the desire to stay connected with their families, particularly grandchildren, who often share their lives through social media. For others, the COVID pandemic accelerated the adoption of digital tools, making social media a lifeline during periods of isolation.

Enhanced connection

Social media, in particular, works by:

1. Maintaining family ties. Social media provides older adults with a virtual seat at the family table. By viewing photos, videos and updates, they can remain engaged with their loved ones’ lives, no matter the physical distance. Platforms such as WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger are particularly popular for private family group chats, enabling older adults to exchange messages and share moments in real time.

2. Rekindling old friendships. Platforms such as Facebook have proven effective in reconnecting older adults with long-lost friends. For many, revisiting old relationships provides a sense of nostalgia and belonging. Studies have shown such interactions can bolster feelings of inclusion and reduce loneliness, a significant concern for aging populations.

3. Building new communities. Social media groups dedicated to specific interests such as gardening, photography or travel offer older adults opportunities to form new connections. These virtual communities are inclusive spaces where members exchange advice, share experiences and foster friendships based on shared hobbies.

Improved well-being

Social media’s ability to foster connection among older adults directly impacts their well-being.

Regular online interactions can reduce feelings of loneliness and depression, providing a sense of purpose and belonging.

Research shows active participation, such as posting photos, is associated with a feeling of competence in older users, which is related to well-being. For some, becoming “grandfluencers” on platforms like Instagram or TikTok introduces an unexpected avenue for creative expression and social influence.

Online forums are also gaining traction as a tool for health information and advocacy. Older adults participate in support groups for chronic conditions, share wellness tips and even engage in civic discussions. This demonstrates social media platforms’ broader potential beyond social interaction.

Phys

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Central AmericaSociety

Creating safe digital spaces free of trolls, doxing, and hate speech

by Narges Mohammadi

Despite the enormous potential of technology, digital tools, and the internet, these have also perpetuated gender disparities and introduced new forms of oppression for women and girls.

For many, technology-facilitated gender-based violence, is new terminology but not new phenomena.

Technology-facilitated gender-based violence takes many forms, including cyberbullying, online harassment, hate speech, doxing, intimate image abuse, trolling, or deep fakes.

Women, girls, and gender-non-conforming individuals are more likely to be targeted and experience more severe and lasting consequences because of their gender. Studies across the world show that 16 to 58 per cent of women and girls have been targeted by violence online.

The impacts of this type of violence extend beyond the digital sphere, entrenching inequalities and posing a significant threat to women’s rights and safety both online and off.

How does digitalization impact violence against women and girls?

To effectively prevent online and technology-facilitated violence, it is crucial to understand its specificities and its impact on women and girls.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
EuropeSociety

EXCLUSIVE; Sexism Against Women in the Cradle of Women’s Rights

by Narges Mohammadi

Survey finds women targeted by online harassment, together with male ‘backlash’ towards #MeToo

FRANCE/ Sexism remains at “alarming” levels in France in all areas; according to an official report that found the situation is getting worse; particularly for younger women.

Women are being targeted by new forms of harassment including online violence; verbal abuse on social media; and pornography with “barbaric” content, it said.

The survey also detected a male “backlash” across French society to the #MeToo movement; with “macho raids” on social media seeking “to reduce women to silence or discredit them”. It stated that situations of “discrimination; violence; and harassment” have reached “alarming proportions”.

The study of 2,500 people by the High Authority on Equality (HCE) which was done a month ago; a consultative body, found sexist behavior increasing in “all spheres”; with many men believing violent and discriminatory behavior to be acceptable. Older men often remained stuck in conservative attitudes towards male and female roles in society; while younger men occasionally displayed aggressive macho tendencies, it found.

Among the women aged 18-24 questioned; 22% said they had suffered “psychological control or excessive jealousy” by a partner; and 15% had been beaten by their partner or ex-partner. This rose to 20% among women aged 50-64.

More than one-third – 37% – of French women polled said they had been subject to non-consensual sex. When the figures were broken down; the HCE found 33% of women asked had had sex when they did not want to but their partner insisted; and 12% had unprotected sex at the insistence of their partner – rising to 18% in the 25-34 age group.

Of the 18- to 24-year-olds polled, 22% said they had suffered a sexual assault or rape

Sexism Results

Despite people being aware of the violence and discrimination since the #MeToo movement “bias and gender stereotypes,; sexist clichés and everyday sexism are still commonplace”; the HCE found.

“People recognize and deplore the existence of sexism but fail to reject it in practice; a phenomenon particularly widespread among the men questioned. This gap between perception, statements, and practice has tangible consequences in terms of symbolic, physical, sexual, and economic violence.

“From every day; so-called ‘ordinary’ sexism to its most violent manifestations; there is a continuum of violence, one forming the bedrock of the others,” it read.

Those questioned also spoke of a lack of confidence in official measures to combat sexism; and respond “to a situation that is getting worse with a new phenomenon: online violence; increased virulence on social networks, barbarity in many pornographic industry productions, and affirmation of a masculinist and antifeminist pornographic industry.

“In addition; there are clear signs that women’s fundamental rights, especially sexual and reproductive rights, are being eroded in the world.”

Elsewhere in the poll; 93% affirmed that men and women are treated differently; in at least one of the aspects of their life: work, public space, school, or family; 80% of women asked said they had been less well-treated; or felt they had been because of their sex, while 37% of men said the same.

Women’s rights activists

Fabienne El Khoury, a women’s rights activist said the situation was “depressing but not surprising”.

“We see that sexism is a structural problem. It’s not just a question of discrimination in salaries; and pensions or an increasing number of femicides; which are the visible part of the iceberg; but a whole mentality that needs to change,” El Khoury said.

“The only way to do that is to introduce a feminist education from a young age to combat sexist stereotypes and to address pornography that is violent, misogynistic and degrading to women but that is attracting young boys at a lower and lower age.”

The HCE president, Sylvie Pierre-Brossolette, said it was the first time such a survey had been done in France.

“We wanted to do for sexism what has been done for racism;” Pierre-Brossolette told the Guardian. “It’s not enough to protect women and punish men. If we don’t address the roots of everyday sexism and change the mentality we will never move forward. We cannot just deplore the situation we need to change it.”

She said the authorities needed to target male attitudes “from a very young age” and introduce more stringent measures to combat online sexism, violence, and harassment.

“Everyday sexism leads to violent sexism,” she added.

Source: Guardian

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
EuropeSociety

NEW; “Gender Trolling” is Curbing Women’s Rights

by Narges Mohammadi

‘Gender trolling’ is curbing women’s rights – and making money for digital platforms

MEDIA/ Online hate has become a tool of the right and a lucrative business. It’s driving women out of public life, putting democracy and human rights at risk

Listening to the resignation speech of Scotland’s first minister Nicola Sturgeon this week, it was impossible not to think of the all-too-similar words from former New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern just a few weeks earlier.

Politicians are humans, too, as Sturgeon and Ardern reminded us, but the abuse women face online – greater and more vicious than that faced by male politicians – seem to dehumanize them, leaving some to wonder if the problem is a reflection of millennia-old misogyny or a technology issue.

Monetizing Misogyny; the study released this week by #ShePersisted; is the result of more than two years of research; into the patterns; and motives of gendered disinformation in several countries. It provides new insights; into this question as well as a clear answer; the problem lies less in the misogyny per se; than in its weaponization by dark actors – and monetization by digital platforms.

Interviews

We interviewed dozens of female leaders and experts in Hungary, India, Brazil,  and Tunisia, analyzing a large volume of horrifying social media posts against them, and we documented how gendered disinformation campaigns – followed by avalanches of hate, threats, and abuse – have been deployed strategically by illiberal forces and authoritarian leaders to silence opposition and stifle calls for better governance.

As noted by Karla Mantilla; the online “gender trolling” of women; particularly political opponents and journalists; is becoming an increasingly common feature of rightwing movements; and must therefore be understood as a deliberate strategy to silence them and “keep them in their place”.

Examples

Let me give you some examples. When Manuela Davila ran for president against Jair Bolsonaro in Brazil in 2018; a photograph of her five-year-old daughter was shared on social media alongside a rape threat. Progressive; young; and vocal about gender equality; Davila had been a target of gendered disinformation; with multiple false stories about her posted online.

One such story claimed she went on a shopping trip to Miami to buy luxury goods while most Brazilians were suffering from deep financial distress – she never made that trip – and a Photoshopped image showed her wearing a T-shirt stating “Jesus is transgender” over a rainbow. Her T-shirt read: “Rebel!”.

In May 2022, Davila announced she would not run in last year’s general elections for several reasons, including the frequent attacks she and her family had suffered over the years.

In 2018, Priyanka Chaturvedi, a member of the Indian parliament, filed a complaint to the Mumbai police after receiving an online rape threat aimed at her 10-year-old daughter. Talking to me about her experience, Chaturvedi said: “Usually, it is the ‘IT cells’ – mostly unofficial but fully supported by the ruling party, that target women – especially women of the opposition.

These attacks are frequent in nature and well-orchestrated, and it is not unfamiliar for politicians, even cabinet ministers, to also engage or … initiate such kinds of attack.”

She said: “However, I refuse to just be a cog in the system and bow down to these cowards. I continue to persist despite the hate sent across my way, every day.”

But many others do not persist. Young women all over the world are being discouraged from speaking out or from considering a political career because of online misogyny and gendered disinformation.

Final Word

These are just two of many examples of how gendered disinformation and tech-facilitated gender-based violence have become more central tools weaponized by autocratic and illiberal political leaders to silence opposition, reverse women’s and minority rights, and undermine democracy.

Source: Guardian

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Newer Posts
Older Posts
Facebook Twitter Instagram

All rights of this website belongs to Jahan Banou News agency. There are no obstacles in re-publishing the contents of this platform by mentioning the reference.