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] The Australian legislation banning social media for under-16s (passed late 2024) will act as a blueprint for European policymakers in 2026. GamesIndustry.biz
• [New] There will be fallout from Australia's ban of under-16s on all social media. Jane Friedman
• [New] In 2026, social media will no longer be an advertising channel for website traffic, but rather the place where the entire customer journey takes place. Lookfamed English
• [New] Social media platforms will be the primary search engines for younger target groups in 2026. Lookfamed English
• [New] Social commerce dominates shopping: By 2026, over 17% of online sales will occur through social platforms, with livestream shopping reaching $50 B in the US as consumers blur the lines between entertainment and purchasing. Netguru
• [New] By 2026, social commerce is expected to account for over 17% of all online sales. Netguru
• [New] Meta expects to spend upwards of $70bn on AI, even though its main source of revenue is still in social media advertising. The Observer
• [New] The popular social media platform is forecasted to reach approximately 1.9 billion users by 2029. Shopify
• [New] Social Engineering will skyrocket in 2026 as attackers fully embrace AI to significantly increase the number of attacks and their believability. Security Boulevard
• [New] AI-powered social engineering cyberattacks will be much more difficult to detect and avoid, creating a global spike in data loss, fraud, and the harvesting of credentials. Security Boulevard
• [New] 2026 will reward organizations that treat digital not as a marketing layer, but as core infrastructure driving operational excellence and community growth. Shotcaller
• [New] 2026 Projection: Organizations will adopt always-on engagement architectures where acquisition, activation, retention, and community become part of a measurable lifecycle rather than an isolated touchpoint. Shotcaller
• [New] By 2026, athletes will operate as owned media centers, using AI and NIL frameworks to control their narratives, grow their communities, and unlock new monetization models. Shotcaller
• [New] In 2026, AI-generated visuals will not be limited to social media experiments. Standard-Examiner
• [New] Almost $1 out of every $7 spent on social network ads was expected to go to TikTok, which eMarketer said will generate more than $17 billion in U.S. ad revenue alone. Digiday
• [New] Stronger Communities and Channels for Better Engagement: WhatsApp Communities and broadcast Channels are expected to grow stronger in 2026 with better moderation tools, discovery options, and content organization. Analytics Insight: Latest AI, Crypto, Tech News & Analy
• [New] Community leaders across England fear it is a matter of when - not if - disorder breaks out again. The Guardian
• [New] Failing to act invites deeper foreign intrusion and the risk of reactionary domestic backlash, neither of which serves the Chinese-Filipino community or Philippine national interests. The Diplomat
• [New] The centuries-old Armenian community, one of the oldest continuous Christian communities in the world, is now confronting an existential threat. Horizon
• [New] The next 48 hours in Venezuela could prove decisive, with risks of civil conflict and uncertainty over whether U.S. involvement escalates. NBC News

Last updated: 05 January 2026