Parents want to protect their children from harmful ideas. But when young people figure out ways past digital locks, is control over content even possible? A U.S. passport and birth certificate. (Illustration by News Decoder) Editor’s note: On 17 August 2026,...
LGBTQ teens who face hostility at home and school can find community online. That could end if their governments impose age restrictions on social media use. A person gets affirmation from a social media page devoted to the LGBTQ community. Illustration by News...
One high school student took it on herself to show children how climate change affects people throughout the world. Three pages of a children’s book about climate change by high school student Jooha Roh. (Photo courtesy Jooha Roh) I grew up largely partaking in...
Are online trends that get people to adopt customs and traditions from other countries appropriate, or is it appropriation? Two Labubu dolls discuss the China-maxxing trend. (Illustration by News Decoder) Approach a boba or bubble tea vendor in just about any city in...
How we think about the world depends on history we have accepted as true. But that version of the past relies on stories based on partial truths. Two photos: On the left, by Yuganov Konstantin, a family celebrates Independence Day in the United States. On the right,...
Governments around the world are adopting laws limiting the use of social media. Let’s sort out some of the concerns. An age filter on a social media site. (Illustration by News Decoder) Editor’s note: On 15 June 2026, the British government said it would...
A small grammatical error can cause a big misunderstanding. But there are many ways your story can be read in a way you didn’t intend. A man is late because he took a bottle of cabernet, instead of a cab. (Illustration by News Decoder.) Have you ever posted...
With so much chaos in the world, it’s hard to know what to believe. That’s when people grab onto conspiracy theories. Don’t be a spreader of misinformation. Two people question the news on TV. (Illustration by News Decoder) Editor’s note: On 25...
The core principles of journalism are no longer just tools for the professional news reporter. They can help anyone navigate this information-saturated world. A reporter thinks about the five Ws: Who, what, where, when and why. (Illustration by News Decoder) ...
Despite their simplicity, memes can both inspire new political voices and reinforce false narratives, and are affecting online discourse around the globe. A social media meme that pokes fun at the intense debate over the right to bear arms. (Illustration by News...