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How to make social media work for you: Scroll less, connect more

Published: December 12, 2024

Latest stories in Community

A counselor is discussing matters with a young Latino man in the office.

Making it easier for people to get the government benefits and services they need

Identifying barriers to EI, CPP and more can help overcome wealth inequality

A man with an umbrella looks upward as rain falls on a city street

Seasonal change can affect people’s moods—and their moral values

People may respect authority, group loyalty and group traditions more strongly at certain times of year.

Archeological site of the Mayan ruins of Xunantunich (Stone Lady) in Belize, Central America

What is societal collapse and why does it matter?

Society collapses when we cannot collectively meet the basic needs of the majority of the population

Fireman rescue an old couple from their flooded house with a boat. On Cousineau St., in the Ahuntsic-Cartierville borough, Montreal, the river rose and flooded the street and a dozen of houses.

Urban flooding calls for new stormwater infrastructure in Canadian cities

How we can make Canadian cities more flood-proof

Sunset and fog at Buttle Lake in Strathcona Park on Vancouver Island.

People, climate to intensify pressure on popular BC provincial parks

Planning is needed to balance overcrowding, wildlife protection, say UBC Okanagan researchers

New construction of high-rise building in downtown Vancouver

Designing more earthquake-resistant buildings

More resilient buildings help people get back in their homes faster after an earthquake

Keep outdoor play spaces cool: the best trees, shrubs and plants for shade

How to build sun-safe and creative outdoor play environments

Malindi Elmore in a yellow tank top and black shorts running on a track

Why the 2024 Paris Olympics are pivotal for gender equity in amateur and recreational sports

Olympic and Paralympic initiatives can help advance sports at lower levels—but there’s more to be done

A historic snapshot of Coqualeetza Hospital, which is operated by Indian Health Services and the Department of National Health and Welfare.

What were Indian Hospitals in Canada? 3 things you might not know

Like Residential Schools, Indian Hospitals were created as a method to segregate, isolate and control Indigenous people in Canada

A scientist in a lab coat examines a plant sample outdoors, with a backdrop of a lush university campus and mountains at sunset. fresh vegetables are visible in the foreground.

Testing new ways to reduce the environmental impacts of food

Everyday choices can help to reduce emissions in our food systems

Muslim family having dried dates as a snack.

How to stay healthy during Ramadan fasting

Tips for maintaining energy, meal prep and managing medications while fasting

Black and white portrait of a black female musician singing.

How Black women have used their voices to resist oppression

Exploring the evolution of Black women’s voices, from blues to Beyoncé

A robot in a retirement home with a happy old woman.

How AI social robots could support people living with dementia and their care providers

Artificial intelligence could help personalize care at home and in long-term settings

Pins and threads in the shape of a a human head.

The roots of the North American opioid crisis, and 3 key strategies for stopping it

Why we need to treat substance-use disorders as a public health crisis and stop an international spread

An image of homeless people in Chinatown, Vancouver

Extreme heat, extreme inequality: Addressing climate justice in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside

Researchers must work with the most vulnerable populations to build a more resilient city

A screenshot from Anders als die Andern (Different from the Others) movie - Paul Körner hugging his younger lover.

The enduring appeal of a century-old German film about queer love

Generations of viewers recognize the long struggle for queer liberation

Easy ways to conserve water this summer

Tips for conserving water in British Columbia

What was the Chinese Exclusion Act in Canada? 3 things you might not know

The 1923 Chinese Immigration Act banned Chinese immigration to Canada for 24 years

A young woman leaning on a railing next to Vancouver's False Creek

Why is it so hard to make friends in Vancouver?

Here’s how the community could help newcomers find a sense of belonging

Photo of writer Naomi Klein looking into the camera

Naomi Klein on the future of climate justice

Climate activist Naomi Klein shares insights on tackling climate injustice in BC, Canada and beyond

Raising arms with social media likes icons

Online activism isn’t just slacktivism

How social media advocacy can lead to positive, real-life change

Taking pictures of young woman raising her fist up with phones

From women’s rights to climate action: How ordinary people can help change the world

Supporting change in your own sphere of influence is just one way to make a difference.

A photo of a young couple at a kitchen table looking at a phone with a surprised look on their faces

What is a common-law spouse entitled to in BC?

The length of time partners must live together to be considered “common law” may surprise you—and it’s different in BC and federal law.

A collage shown a driver, a cell phone, and a delivery worker

What is the difference between the gig economy and the platform economy?

Gig work is much broader than Uber drivers and food-delivery workers

A gig economy delivery worker coming out from a cell phone supported by a finger

Working in the gig economy? What you don’t know might hurt you

Gig workers must balance the risks and benefits as employment law starts to catch up

Toilet bowl in the restroom. Dramatic lighting.

Drug overdoses in public bathrooms are common: here’s how we could prevent harm

Communities can save lives by incorporating safe bathroom practices and raising awareness about overdose

A man posing with his arm up against orange background.

How to prepare for the flu season in BC

What to expect and where to get your influenza vaccine, along with answers to some common questions

What’s the big deal? Here’s why microaggressions matter

Microaggressions reinforce power structures and actually harm our health

An archival photo of the Cote Improved Federal Day School in Saskatchewan

What are Indian day schools? 3 things you might not know

Like residential schools in Canada, Indian days schools were created to assimilate Indigenous children and eradicate their culture

Bringing Indigenous ways of knowing into mental health supports

UBC researchers are listening to the experiences of diverse youth to help them develop coping strategies for cyberbullying

A collage showing a family cleaning up at the beach, a plate of sushi, sockeye salmon spawning

5 things you can do to help BC’s marine ecosystems

From reducing your plastic use to choosing sustainable seafood, every action counts

An illustration of an electric car plugged into a charger and surrounded by plants.

How climate storytelling helps people navigate complexity and find solutions

Despite learning that climate change is hitting the planet faster than scientists predicted, society has been slow to decrease the use of fossil fuels and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Climate storytelling can help us navigate the complexity and find solutions.

A family in the forest with social media ads popping up around them

How much privacy is there in the age of AI and the metaverse?

Artificial intelligence is increasingly influencing consumer behaviour, putting privacy at risk

An illustration showing a woman sitting being offered a helping hand

How drug decriminalization in BC could help save lives

This Q&A with a UBC addictions expert answers some key questions about the decriminalization of illegal drugs in BC

Building community resilience to wildfires in BC

Why we need to address the inequities that communities face in dealing with wildfires

Photo of Tamra Levy from the UBC Allard School of Law

Wrongfully convicted? New trial ordered for 1995 Gerald Klassen murder case

Director of the UBC Innocence Project explains what this means for Klassen and how his case highlights problems with the legal system

Young man in striped shirt in bookstore holding book and reading

As publishing becomes more varied and diverse, challenges remain for writers of colour

Silvia Moreno-Garcia interviews author Nalo Hopkinson on finding allies and empowering diverse voices

Conversations about consent need to start early, and parents need to get comfortable with it

Teaching children about boundaries can help shift our culture around interpersonal trauma

How controlling land prices could help solve the housing crisis

A new way of valuing housing density could lead to truly affordable housing

The doctor won’t see you now: Why access to care is in critical condition

More support for doctors will increase access to timely health care for Canadians

Getting to the HART of affordable housing

A new tool co-developed by UBC experts helps to estimate how much affordable housing a city needs

How to make yourself a hard target for communicable diseases

Practices that help slow the spread of COVID-19 can also reduce your risk of the flu, colds and other illnesses

person on grey background wearing a mask and holding hands on temples

Flu season is coming and it could be ugly: What you need to know

UBC’s Dr. Michael Curry weighs in on how to reduce your risk of getting sick

Recognizing the signs of an opioid overdose

Knowing what to look for and how to use a take-home naloxone kit can save a life, says the Executive Director of the BC Centre on Substance Use

People gathered in discussion about mental health.

Why addressing stigma around substance use matters

UBC experts say we need to normalize the conversation, as we’ve done with other health conditions

Kids too young for a COVID-19 vaccine? How to keep them safe

UBC Faculty of Medicine’s Dr. Ran Goldman offers tips for parents to protect children who are not yet immunized against COVID-19 in Canada

Three people measure a tree in their neighbourhood

How to climate-proof your neighbourhood, one step at a time

The Citizen’s Coolkit offers ideas for action to help cool your neighbourhood

An illustration showing life after the COVID-19 vaccine, including children visiting with grandparents and a plane leaving for a vacation destination

Life after COVID-19 vaccination

Vaccine researcher Anna Blakney answers questions about travel and transmission after vaccination

8 tips to communicate better while wearing a face mask

Strategies such as exaggerating eye expressions can help us better understand one another

A black family with a mother, father and three daughters sit beside one another on the porch.

To understand BC’s Black history, connect past and present in Canada

The demographics of Black people in the British Columbia population are unique to the rest of Canada

A photo illustration of the mental health toll that the pandemic is taking on individuals

Weighing the pandemic’s psychological toll

Worldwide survey seeks input on everyone’s mental health

Young adults, unfairly blamed for COVID-19 spread, now face stress and uncertain futures

Stigma leads to social, health and economic distress

Making the most of neglected urban spaces

You might be surprised at how people could transform pockets of city land

An active, older adult walks her dog in the park

How older adults can embrace new routines

Physical distancing has disrupted the lives of many active seniors; here’s how to adapt

Illustration of a young man having a conversation with a senior woman

Neighbourhood watch: How to help active seniors combat isolation

Community members and organizations can help older adults connect online during the COVID-19 pandemic