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] For the past several years, regulators around the world have pressured social media companies to make platforms like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok safer for children, or risk facing stringent measures, including bans. CNA
• [New] In the next few years, the UPI-Credit link is expected to reshape India's credit culture, essentially by normalising micro-transactions on credit. TechBullion
• [New] NTU and the Singapore University of Social Sciences said in August that they will stop deploying detection tools to flag for AI misuse in students' work. The Straits Times
• [New] By 2026, half of all U.S. social shoppers are projected to make purchases directly on TikTok. The Goat Agency
• [New] Content analysis could assess how peptides are framed across YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Reddit, Discord, podcasts, online clinics, newsletters, vendor websites, and private communities. PubMed Central (PMC)
• [New] The commerce data suggests caution has outpaced any consumer pullback: we forecast TikTok Shop's share of US social commerce will climb to 22.8% in 2026 from 18.2% in 2025. eMarketer
• [New] While the dissolution of USAID and other funding cuts exacerbate growing global demands to address public health, economic opportunity, and climate-related challenges, NGOs and social impact organizations are underwater, triaging widespread and complex needs against limited capacity. Stanford Social Innovation Review
• [New] As for the new daily time limit for teen users, that will be reduced to one hour of total daily use should other social media platforms like TikTok, Snap and YouTube also agree to implement new restrictions for young users. BBC News
• [New] Fastest-growing Service Type: Social media marketing is likely to be the fastest-growing segment through 2033, fueled by the skyrocketing popularity and usage of platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Persistence Market Research
• [New] A latter-day threat comes from social platforms such as TikTok and Instagram. CSP Daily News
• [New] WHO is committed to working alongside young people, countries and partners to create opportunities, platforms and enabling environments for young people to lead, influence decisions and drive lasting change for their health and the health of their communities. World Health Organization: WHO
• [New] The global push for sustainability will compel banks to integrate environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria into their decision-making processes, influencing everything from investment strategies to lending policies. The Money Centre
• [New] Nearly 60% of workforce growth in social assistance will come from community-focused roles through 2031, emphasizing a shift toward in-person, relational, and advocacy-driven functions that machines cannot replicate. Research.com
• [New] A major legal case brought by 29 US states against Meta has begun, which could affect the way social media companies operate in the future. BBC
• [New] Some Asian American communities may face risk factors that scientists have not yet identified. ScienceDaily
• [New] Social media users are predicted to reach 331.09 million, setting a new record in 2028. / USA Straits Research
• [New] Between 2024 and 2028, the overall number of social media users in the U.S. is projected to increase by 22.8 million people, representing a growth rate of 7.4%. Straits Research
• [New] Asian philanthropists are moving past traditional grants toward concessional debt and equity instruments designed for the hybrid risk profiles of social innovators. PAA
• [New] The earliest stages of social innovation in Asia carry the highest risk and the thinnest funding. PAA
• [New] Through year-round training, competitions and community programs, Special Olympics Australia creates opportunities for athletes to build confidence, friendships, independence and pride. Special Olympics Australia
• [New] There will be a new civil service fast stream pilot in Yorkshire and Humber, and an expansion of the future leaders scheme, which trains high performers in the civil service, to mayoral and local authority officials. The Guardian
• [New] Social change leaders are increasingly concerned about AI's risks, including the loss of human connection when it matters most. Stanford Social Innovation Review

Last updated: 31 August 2026