What will be the impact of lateral communication? Is influencer culture dead as we know it? What does brand empathy mean to people? In this part of the 2023 Expert Outlook, we speak to three experts about how the search for control and connection is shaping the Communications sector.

Supernova is an app hoping to redefine online socialising. Working similarly to Instagram or Facebook, it focuses on creating a positive impact, showing that there are ways social media platforms can operate without compromising mental health or data privacy.

Gas is a social media platform beloved by US high schoolers that encourages them to say nice things about each other. Young people are increasingly disillusioned by legacy social media and are turning to alternatives that allow for more candid interaction and legitimate connections.

BeReal is a social media app that hinges on the principle of scarcity. By limiting posts to one a day, it encourages users to share a snapshot of their daily lives in real-time rather than curating an idealized feed – a reflection of how demands for authenticity may reshape online communications.