The past decade has seen political polarisation – accelerated by social media’s filter bubbles and echo chambers – deepen and mutate. An ominous era of a polycrisis has shattered any remaining societal consensus. Meanwhile, powerful anti-establishment voices have stepped into the void.

In a polarised society, the meaning of gender is in flux. People want to be liberated from outdated norms – but many hold on to the gender binary as a source of stability in an uncertain world. How can brands navigate the changing gender landscape without leaning on stereotypes?

Research has shown that Britons are becoming less accepting and more prejudiced towards trans people – despite becoming more liberal towards other issues. The results show how contentious people find specific topics and demonstrate the need to do better to stamp out discrimination.

Political polarization in the US is fueling heated debates and widespread outrage around censorship – whether that's in the form of deplatforming or book bans. But who is being most deeply impacted by such restrictions? And what can brands do to navigate tensions around free speech and self-expression?

In response to backlash, online bookstore Allstora has reversed its decision to continue to stock anti-LGBTQ content despite its commitment to uplifting marginalized voices. As polarization deepens, audiences are becoming more assertive about their expectations of brands in doing their part.

With concerns around data security and censorship driving a growing sense of dissatisfaction with Big Tech, some people are searching for ways to communicate, socialise, and organise online outside of mainstream social media platforms. How will this shift transform the digital space?