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] Speakers emphasized that ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 remains possible, but only if countries sustain investments, strengthen domestic financing, and institutionalize support for communities most affected by HIV. George W. Bush Presidential Center
• [New] TikTok holds the risk of negatively influencing youth's brain development, and that TikTok addiction is correlated with an array of psychological, behavioral, and social concerns, including depression, anxiety, stress, loneliness, reduced self-esteem, and poor school performance. PubMed Central (PMC)
• [New] Societies will need to rethink how land, water, energy, and raw materials are used if future generations are to live safely and sustainably. ScienceDaily
• [New] Continued population growth combined with current levels of resource use will place even greater strain on ecosystems and societies around the world. ScienceDaily
• [New] FQHCs and other community health centers will play an increased role in caring for a projected 1.9-4.2 million additional uninsured people by 2034, despite potential gaps in state and federal funding and difficulty filling vacant frontline care team roles. PubMed Central (PMC)
• [New] $100 billion in U.S. social commerce sales is projected in 2026. StoreCensus
• [New] For Fiji and the wider Pacific, fintech may ultimately prove less about disruption and more about connection - connecting islands, connecting underserved communities to finance, and connecting smaller economies to the increasingly digital global economy. The Fintech Times
• [New] Hate crimes targeting Asian communities in Canada surged by nearly 300% during the COVID-19 pandemic, exposing deep-rooted biases and vulnerabilities. Canadian Race Relations Foundation
• [New] US AI Regulatory Updates In the United States, federal and state activity is reshaping risk across IP, platform safety, competition, civil rights, and trade controls. JD Supra
• [New] Given the weakness of many social democratic parties in Europe, there is a unique opportunity for Green parties to broaden their appeal: it might even provide them with a route to become the dominant left-of-centre force. The Guardian
• [New] U.S. Customs and Border Protection is working through a revised proposal that could require visitors from 42 Visa Waiver Program countries, including the UK, Australia, France, Germany, and Japan, to hand over five years of social media history before entering the US. TravelPirates
• [New] Civil aviation occupies a unique psychological and political space because: civilian airliners symbolize international stability; aviation safety relies on trust in global systems; governments are expected to guarantee passenger safety; aviation accidents generate enormous public attention. Robert Lansing Institute
• [New] By the end of 2031, the social commerce sector is projected to expand from its 2025 value of USD 12.10 billion to approximately USD 23.48 billion. Yahoo Finance UK
• [New] By 2026, DeFi protocols are expected to evolve significantly, emphasizing sustainability, security, interoperability, and community governance. NASSCOM | The Official Community of Indian IT Industry
• [New] TikTok Shop specifically is projected to hit $23.4 billion in US GMV by 2026, making it the fastest-growing social commerce platform in the United States. Fungies.io - Sell digital products seamlessly
• [New] Commitments to the World Refugee Fund would give corporations, foundations, and private philanthropists the opportunity to match one to one any lending on Kiva.org to displaced peoples and host communities from Lebanon to Colombia to Rwanda. Stanford Social Innovation Review
• [New] By 2030, some form of AI literacy requirement - covering not just the mechanics of AI tools but the ethical, epistemological, and civic dimensions of living with AI - is likely to be standard in accredited degree programs. Educational Technology and Change Journal
• [New] 59% of Americans say they trust their neighbours, compared to 41% who trust people across the U.S. 68% report being actively involved in their local communities, with many expecting to increase their participation. Cision PR Newswire
• [New] The Japanese government requires urgent change to promote a sense of security through employment prospects, address the rising cost of living, and reform Japan's karoshi culture, where professional demands endanger workers' health. Georgetown Journal of International Affairs
• [New] The Australian Government will work with state and territory governments through the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Collaboration to improve cultural safety in health settings for First Nations people. AIHW Indigenous HPF
• [New] The EU Anti-Poverty Strategy sets a clear path toward reaching the EU target laid out in the European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan of reducing the number of people at risk of poverty and social exclusion by at least 15 million by 2030, as well as helping eradicate poverty by 2050. Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion
• [New] Populations in Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea do not expect honesty from their governments, so their leaders' embrace of misinformation or denial of facts do not similarly erode the social contract. Default
• [New] Alternative proteins (AP) have the potential to diversify the protein sources available for consumption while aligning with nutritional, environmental, and cultural needs and preferences. PubMed Central (PMC)

Last updated: 01 June 2026