
How Algospeak Shapes Offline Discourse
Critical Literacies & Human AgencyAs online platforms increasingly restrict or monetize content, internet users are developing "algospeak" - alternative words and coded phrases to circumvent algorithmic detection. This linguistic adaptation is now influencing offline communication, revealing the profound impact of digital content moderation on everyday language.

Reexamining Social Media Ownership
Critical Literacies & Human AgencyThis blog post examines the dangers of social media ownership, revealing how both private platforms and state-controlled networks can manipulate public discourse and undermine democratic values. It explores alternative models like platform cooperatives and decentralised social media and calls for balanced regulatory approaches that protect user rights and prevent the concentration of power in the hands of a few influential entities.

Algorithmic Disruption: Critical Trends Reshaping Human Experience
Critical Literacies & Human AgencyDelivering a lecture at the University of Malta in March, Dr. Gege Gatt – digital entrepreneur, lecturer, and IT lawyer – articulated five mega technology-influenced trends currently reconfiguring global social and economic landscapes. This blog post synthesises Gatt’s insights with supplementary theoretical perspectives. These trends underscore the duality of AI's implications for humanity and highlights the need to invest in education, and collaboration.

Free Speech Absolutism: A Gateway for Competitive Authoritarianism?
Critical Literacies & Human Agency"Free speech absolutism," as promoted by figures like Elon Musk, champions unrestricted expression but risks enabling disinformation and extremist rhetoric. Competitive authoritarian regimes exploit this lack of regulation to spread propaganda and erode democratic institutions from within. To counter these threats, the EU must enforce its regulatory frameworks, enhance media literacy, and strengthen international cooperation to protect the integrity of its digital space.

Understanding Meta’s Policy Change to Community Notes
Critical Literacies & Human AgencyMeta’s recent shift from traditional fact-checking to community-driven moderation tools, like Community Notes, redefines content oversight on social platforms. This blog post examines how this change challenges established practices, impacts political narratives, and raises critical questions on misinformation, user trust, and democracy and accountability in today’s profoundly decentralized truth arbitration.

Understanding Australia’s Recent Social Media Minimum Age Act
Critical Literacies & Human AgencyAustralia's Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act 2024 aims to ban under-16s from social media, sparking debate on regulation, privacy, and enforcement. Set for December 2025, its success depends on youth, parents, and institutions. Malta, home to the 3CL, is monitoring Australia and considering a similar move. We conducted a vox pop to gauge student opinions.

Trusted Flaggers and the Digital Services Act: Extraterritorial Implications for Georgia as an EU Candidate Country
Critical Literacies & Human AgencyThis blog post investigates the extraterritorial implications of the DSA for Georgia, focusing on the ‘Trusted Flagger’ mechanism under the DSA. This post highlights the value in setting up Social Media Council Georgia as by doing so Georgia can create a robust digital ecosystem that not only conforms with EU requirements but also upholds democratic principles and European ambitions.

The State vs Social Media
Critical Literacies & Human AgencyThe media landscape has changed substantially over the years, altering how states interact with social media companies. When platforms like Facebook, Twitter (now X), and YouTube first emerged, they promised to decentralise information communication…

Is Social Media Making Adolescents Feel Lonely? Understanding The Digital Paradox
Critical Literacies & Human AgencyEveryone is aware that in today’s adolescents’ lives, social media platforms such as BeReal, TikTok and Instagram are an integral part of their daily routines, making us believe that everyone is more connected than ever. However, a growing…