Global Scans · Social · Weekly Summary

WHAT'S NEXT?: In the years to come, social commerce will become more widespread and the level of personalization will improve with advanced AI solutions & chatbots. The number of worldwide social media users is projected to grow from 2.1 billion in 2016 to 2.5 billion by 2018.

• [New] 62% of respondents learnt about crypto via social media, which carries a risk of misinformation. ST
• [New] Article 13's information gathering restrictions create legal risk for routine compliance; environmental, social and governance (ESG); and human-rights due diligence conducted within China. Squire Patton Boggs
• [New] Research and guidance from groups like the JED Foundation emphasize that sustained progress will require culturally competent care, more early intervention in schools and communities, and targeted outreach for groups at higher risk, including Black youth. theGrio
• [New] Local projects eligible for funding could include the development and transformation of underused buildings and green spaces, as well as neighbourhood hubs in UK communities. Third SectorMainNet
• [New] A coalition of the willing - including 54 countries and various subnational governments, civil society groups and academics - will try to chart a new path to powering the world with low-carbon energy. The Guardian
• [New] The head of the UN's civil aviation agency, ICAO, has called for immediate global action to protect commercial flights from escalating military threats, including missiles, drones, and GPS signal jamming. UN News
• [New] Ministers hope to raise £5 billion over the next five years from the digital services tax, which imposes a 2% levy on the revenues of search engines, social media services and online marketplaces operating in the UK. HuffPost UK
• [New] The dangers of AI for teens have been one of multiple reasons countries like Spain have banned social media platforms for kids. Engadget
• [New] Twenty countries recently attended a summit in France on civil nuclear power's potential to become the sector of the future. The Guardian
• [New] Across the world, people with low income suffer disproportionately from the health and economic consequences of tobacco, with smoking accounting for about half of the differences in mortality risk between men of lower and higher social strata. PubMed Central (PMC)
• [New] Since 79% of young people get personal finance advice from social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok, they are primed to expect quick wins and easy money. Fortune
• [New] Beijing's military-civil fusion strategy means that its private sector advances directly benefit its military ambitions, posing a national security threat to the U.S. Nextgov/FCW
• [New] The Social Security trust fund could face depletion by 2032 if no policy changes occur. Economic Times
• [New] Only around 20% of jobs involving intricate problem-solving and social skills are at risk of AI replacement over the next decade. Research.com
• [New] Chinese social media content can disappear quickly and without warning due to censorship, making immediate preservation critical. bellingcat
• [New] Henleaze Library in Bristol has been awarded £279,147 to transform into a more inclusive and flexible community space, including digital upgrades that will allow community access outside regular opening hours. UKAuthority
• [New] Singapore aims to train 10,000 nurses / healthcare workers in general palliative care by 2030, enhancing community support. ST
• [New] Amid growing threats of direct confrontation with Iran, the Israeli headquarters for civil preparedness is maintaining public silence. Militarnyi

Last updated: 27 April 2026