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] Privacy in relation to access to data, cultural identity, and misinformation including deepfakes are all content issues that Canada's AI strategy will need to address. Hugh Stephens Blog
• [New] There are steps that the UK government could be taking now - from banning the use of social media for children and using Ofcom's powers to force social media firms to act. The Guardian
• [New] Texas communities face severe water shortages that threaten families, jobs and economic growth and should evaluate every available source of supply. Insurance Journal
• [New] Musk's track record of environmental conflicts at other sites he owns, from California to Texas to Germany, means the Memphis community is skeptical of SpaceX, despite the economic benefits the tax revenue and potential water-treatment plant could bring. Wired
• [New] Social commerce is the fastest-growing sales channel, with a 22.91% CAGR through 2031. Mordor Intelligence
• [New] The Social Security Old-Age and Survivors Insurance (OASI) trust fund will deplete its reserves by 2032 and the much smaller Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) trust fund will remain solvent at least through 2100. AAF
• [New] In just six years, nearly all retirees, survivors, and dependents on Social Security will face a deep 22% benefit cut unless necessary reforms are enacted. Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget
• [New] Over the next decade, Social Security will spend $3.8 trillion more than it collects, which is 2.7% of taxable payroll or 0.9% of GDP. Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget
• [New] Social Security 's retirement trust fund is projected to face a funding shortfall in 2032, a year earlier than last year's projections, while Medicare 's hospital insurance trust fund will be unable to pay full benefits in 2033, which is unchanged from last year's estimate. LancasterOnline
• [New] With suicide rates remaining stubbornly high - often ranking among the top 10 causes of death in America - some advocates and people who have lost loved ones to suicide say increasing pathways to social connection could be a new frontier. KFF Health News
• [New] The broader point is that Chinese entities are partnering with local entities to offer immediate commercial and technological benefits that will evolve along with markets and societies in Southeast Asia. Hudson Institute
• [New] Persistent inequalities continue to affect educational achievement, economic mobility, social development, and long-term opportunities for millions of young people in the United States. fundsforNGOs - Grants and Resources for Sustainability
• [New] In 2027, travel firms aim to distribute resources equally among social channels, artificial intelligence chat tools, and site material. English Version - Periodico Digital Centroamericano y d
• [New] The upcoming Evidence Standards Framework for Digital Care Technologies will adapt NICE's existing framework for digital health technologies specifically for the adult social care sector. UKAuthority
• [New] Emerging localization trends may risk civil liberties and complicate compliance for U.S. firms. Roza.Pace@trade.gov
• [New] Social media ad spending is projected to reach $317.33 billion in 2026. demandsage
• [New] On the other hand, estimates from Statista predict the US to have 316.07 million social media users in 2026, and it's projected to grow further, reaching 330.07 million social media users by 2029. demandsage
• [New] Globally, social commerce is forecast to represent 22.4% of all e-commerce transactions in 2026, up from 17% in 2025. Fungies.io - Sell digital products seamlessly
• [New] A large and growing number of application-specific rollups, built on Orbit, OP Stack, and emerging alternatives, will serve specific communities, games, financial products, and enterprise deployments. yellow.com
• [New] Seven GPs across four Shanghai community health centers completed approximately five weeks of training before screening 169 older adults at high risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. EurekAlert!
• [New] Social housing landlords will be able to evict domestic abuse perpetrators under a new bill, which will also increase the length of tenancy required before residents qualify for the right-to-buy scheme from three to 10 years in England. The Guardian
• [New] Canada, Venezuela, Brazil, Russia, Australia, and the U.S. have the most renewable water resources in the world, yet every community will have different levels of water resources and will be affected by water stress differently. ClimateCheck
• [New] The increased prevalence of drought has a high potential to disrupt water sources and strain water supply in communities across America. ClimateCheck

Last updated: 15 June 2026