Web giants such as Facebook and Google have woven themselves into billions of lives, but countless controversies over the years have a growing number of users questioning if they can trust these companies. How are data breaches and fake news changing people’s relationships with big tech?

A decade ago, social media was seen as a novel distraction. But with 92% of US teens going online daily, an online persona can lay the groundwork for an individual’s entire social life. Given the internet’s influence on Gen Z, Common Sense is helping students become better digital citizens.

Over 70% of people fear AI in some way, with 24% worried it will take over the world. Canvas8 spoke to Tom Chatfield, author of Critical Thinking, to find out how we can create AI that won’t jeopardise our liberty, and to understand how human biases influence machine programming.

Coveted in the late ‘90s due to its cameo in sci-fi blockbuster The Matrix, the Nokia 8110 is being relaunched in 2018 with a few upgrades. While it was previously a symbol of futuristic tech, it’s now positioned as a nostalgic device that can help owners break free of constant connectivity.

With new gadgets regularly entering our lives, abandoned tech is piling up in homes; the average American household has $264 worth of unwanted devices. Why do people struggle to get rid of their old smartphones and tablets? And how can tech brands encourage more eco-friendly disposal habits?

With just 20% of e-waste produced in 2016 being ‘properly recycled’, it seems that most people are simply throwing away their old and broken tech. But in a bid to advance the circular economy, Dell has teamed up with Bayou with Love to create a jewelry line from scrapped electronics.

As the online world plays an increasing role in our lives, we’re giving companies more control over our intangible purchases. Canvas8 spoke to Aaron Perzanowski, co-author of The End of Ownership: Personal Property in The Digital Economy, to understand how people feel about owning digital goods.

Rapidly shifting market forces have made China the largest and most sophisticated digital (and notably mobile) payment market in the world. In turn, these forces are also changing consumer behaviour and pushing the country’s consumers towards a society that no longer uses cash.