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] If guided by social responsibility, local adaptation, and long-term planning, autonomous vehicles could gradually transform Indian mobility for the better. thestatesman.com
• [New] As generative systems flood the world with content, democratic societies face risks from deepfakes and disinformation. The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com
• [New] Urban extreme heat is an escalating climate risk across the Asia-Pacific region, driven by climate change, rapid urbanization, and existing social and economic vulnerabilities. Indico.UN (Indico)
• [New] With Singapore projected to become a super-aged society by 2030, women are expected to spend a third of their lives post-menopause and need more proactive and managed menopause care. CNA Lifestyle
• [New] Around 12% of people will experience social anxiety disorder at some point in their lives, making it the most prevalent form of anxiety. HuffPost UK
• [New] ESG (environmental, social and governance) sukuk is expected to surpass US$ 70 billion (£52 billion) globally in 2026. The Conversation
• [New] Social isolation and chronic loneliness are linked to a 29% higher risk of heart disease. Blue Shield of California | News Center
• [New] Platforms including social media companies and pornography sites that fail to act could face fines of up to 10% of their qualifying worldwide revenue or having their services blocked in the UK. The Guardian
• [New] Social instability remains a risk for business in 2026, with 29% of INSEAD faculty identifying it as one of the key threats, and just 14% counting it among the top opportunities for business. forbesindia
• [New] Allianz Trade will hold all premiums from Social2 Social policies as investments in certified social bonds, creating a circular model that continually funds social progress. CIN
• [New] In 2026, Telegram groups and communities will consist of education, technology, sports, content creation, and international business. Ameisenhardt.com
• [New] Social Security benefits and Supplemental Security Income payments for 75 million Americans will increase by 2.8%. Yahoo Finance
• [New] US social media creator revenue will reach $21.04 billion in 2026, more than doubling since 2022. eMarketer
• [New] Social media marketing moves fast, and the trends shaping 2026 might look very different in 2027. Finmacrocosm -
• [New] While assembly lines are the primary target for companies like Tesla, the potential for humanoid robots extends deep into healthcare and social assistance. YoungWonks
• [New] When Spanish prime minister Pedro Sanchez announced plans to ban social media for under-16s earlier this month, Spaniards could be forgiven for suspecting his real objective was not to limit children's screentime. Spiked
• [New] Human-generated content is the #1 priority for users in 2026, and 73% of consumers say they will switch to a competitor if a brand does not respond on social media. Sprout Social

Last updated: 23 February 2026