The prospect of free internet access is an attractive one, but Timi Olagunju, 30, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Lagos in Nigeria, cautions there may be a hidden price in the details of the deal. Recently, I was reading a book ‘Predictably Irrational’ by one of my favourite Professors of behavioural psychology in Stanford University, Professor Dan Ariely, …

“The actual cost of Free Basics in Nigeria” Read More »

The global digital landscape means technology is becoming more affordable and Internet access increasingly ubiquitous, but Steph Carter, 26, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Australia, asks whether every country is reaping the benefits. While today’s generation is likely to take up jobs that aren’t yet invented, communities and youth without Internet access face disenfranchisement from a future of economic …

“Unlikely heroes in bridging the digital divide” Read More »

The internet and social media give youth an enormous opportunity to amplify their voices, writes Emmanuel Olutokun, 23, a Correspondent from Lagos in Nigeria, who looks at ways these remarkable tools have been used for positive change. The youthful age offers so much opportunity, potential and prospects to build, learn, and explore. A period to …

“Our voice is in our hands” Read More »

The power of online news works for benefit and for harm, writes Abdullah Al Hasan, 25, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Dhaka in Bangladesh. Social media can build solidarity for causes, but can also incite negatives when fake news manipulates the unwary. Life is now easier than before. We have been able to minimise most of …

“Online news portals are shaping young minds” Read More »

Young people devote time and energy to ‘following’ celebrity news and styles, writes Tshwanelo Fokazi, 24, a Correspondent from Ekurhuleni, South Africa, but at the same time youth are able to uphold their own standards and beliefs. Are you wondering what Trevor Noah said to Miley Cyrus during his interview with her last week? Ask me, …

“We ‘follow’ celebrities; they aren’t our leaders” Read More »

As social media reaches saturation level, concern grows about the impact on road safety. Mary Adeyi, 24, a Commonwealth Commonwealth Correspondent in London, UK, writes that earlier hopes about hands-free devices offering a solution are being dashed as researchers find that distraction not tied to just one technology.  New penalties to combat drivers using their mobile …

“Bigger penalty for driving while on the phone” Read More »

The campaign against FGM is reaching out to a wider audience, writes Oluwasegun Olakoyenikan, 23, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Benin City, Nigeria, who describes advocacy training for a network of social media users in southern Nigeria. Due to the increasing number of social media users in Nigeria and the need to reach out to them, …

“Workshop engages social media users” Read More »

Malaysia’s recent election was historic, writes Debra Grace Lim Jia-En, 19, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Malaysia, who looks at the positive role social media played in engaging voters in the civic exercise. For those born after 1995, it might seem as though social media platforms have been around forever. Whether it be Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, …

“Social media and politics in Malaysia election” Read More »

Social media content is exposing youth to lifestyle and behaviour choices that may be misleading or dangerous, writes Kiyara Matambanadzo, 16, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Harare in Zimbabwe, who says teenagers must be informed at home and at school about countering those messages.  The problem of a seeming increase in vices such as drug abuse, …

“Education needed to counter messages” Read More »