Global warming is a major issue, that is undeniable. As the Arctic ice caps melt at an alarming rate, we see overwhelmingly negative consequences, such rising sea levels, disrupted ecosystems, and loss of animal habitats. However, amid this environmental crisis, a new economic opportunity has appeared from the melting ice, particularly for Russia, which could reshape global power dynamics.

In recent years, we have seen the rise to what some are calling a modern version of the Eurasian Silk Road. The Northern Sea Route (NSR), a shipping lane that follows the Russian Arctic coastline, and has become a viable, and less dangerous, alternative to the Suez Canal. This route drastically shortens the travel time between Europe and Asia; according to the Arctic Institute, the passage from Japan to Europe takes only 10 days, compared to the traditional southern route, which takes 22 days.

Before, this passage was inaccessible in winter months due to thick ice layers. Yet in 2017, a Russian oil tanker travelled across the arctic without needing an icebreaker. According to the Northern Sea Route Administration, cargo traffic along the NSR has multiplied by 10 since 2013, further demonstrating the growing importance of this passage.
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However, this development is not just about trade. In the context of a world post the invasion of Ukraine, the Northern Sea Route represents a strategic advantage for Russia. The country can leverage its control over this vital route to assert its influence on the global stage by strictly monitoring the passageway.

On the other hand, the melting arctic may make Russia vulnerable to attacks on its once impenetrable northern barrier; this paranoid reasoning justifies the major increase in military in northern Russia.

With high tensions between Russia and NATO, the increasing importance of the passage and the exposed northern Russian coastline could further strain relations. Even though the relations between arctic countries have been relatively peaceful, since the invasion of Ukraine, a colder war seems to be emerging. NATO's response to an increasingly powerful Russia will be crucial in determining the future stability of the Arctic region and global geopolitics.

For us here in Brazil, the Arctic might seem distant and disconnected from our lives, yet the geopolitical shifts occurring there influence international trade to global security everywhere. Whether you agree with Russian policies or not, it is essential to acknowledge the country’s growing geopolitical influence. Brazil, as part of the BRICS alliance, shares some economic and political interests with Russia. BRICS aims to create a more balanced global order, countering Western dominance, so it is important for Brazil to carefully navigate these tense times, considering all aspects, even environmental ones. While our direct involvement in the Arctic is limited, the broader implications for international relations are something we must not ignore.

If you unlock your phone and enter any of the many famous social media applications, it’s almost certain that at some point, you’ll find a video related to AI. Sometimes, they’re ads – marketing and demonstrating an AI tool. Others, however, are videos completely produced by AI tools, with the occasional helping human hand to navigate the programs to create an intuitive video. The global community has affixed to AI almost like a drug, and its widespread pointless use is infecting the world, day by day. It has been a topic that we were all aware existed previously, but it was almost like a switch flipped, and suddenly everyone became so attached to it; so viciously addicted to the laziness of “making AI generate it for me”.


It is impossible to talk about AI without stating the largest technological celebrity of the past year: ChatGPT. The project was released on November 30th, 2022, and is continuously being developed by OpenAI as more and more users ask questions daily and feed it with data. The basic pillars in which ChatGPT (3.5) lies are known as the artificial neural network, which is the digital system by which Artificial Intelligence becomes intelligent. Basically, there are different inputs given to an AI, and so through different processes and research (neural network), the AI outputs processed information.


The main difference between ChatGPT and the outdated AI tools available in the 2010s is that OpenAI’s usage of processes in neural networks became much more reliable. The increased funding for research caused improved neural networks, which got better and better once more information and raw data were given to analyse. For instance, the amount of data given to process and study ChatGPT 3.0 was about 570GB of data, a number which has grown for the ChatGPT successors (3.5 and 4). Overall, the large investment made more research, development, and data accessible to develop the language models.


The largest difference between the ChatGPT versions is their versatility. Even with ChatGPT 3.5’s incredible processing, the variety of different tools incorporated into ChatGPT 4.0 made its growth become exponential, always ‘feeding it’ new sets of data. Eventually, the larger investment, research, testing, and ‘feeding’ of different language models catalysed the development of different AI tools. Nowadays, AI is everywhere. It went from a powerful testing tool to a practicality in everyday life. The development of AI in the international population is truly fascinating, as it is now used for corrections, image generation, image correction, sound creation, video generation, and many other purposes – all derived from the ‘antique’ purpose of generating a simple text. Of course, we have to be careful – these language models are continuously in training and development, therefore there is still a considerable presence of ‘hallucinations’ and everyday errors where AI tools drift off into their own neural network calculations, ignoring the given data.


With the popular global immersion into AI, a sizeable sentiment of fear has lay upon the world. The augmented development of AI is becoming almost unrecognisable, thus showing everyone that AI might take up most jobs. If mastered to perfection, a robot can do everything a human can do, but better, as there is no margin for technical error. The flaws seen in modern AI tools are all sourced from their code, not their ability to follow it. If all codes are perfectly amended, there are probably no jobs that can escape from AI’s domain. Even so, AI might even develop itself, creating a possibility of a dystopian future where AI is better than us. Elon Musk has previously shown interest in the concept of UBI (Universal basic income), which would grant humans a basic income policy independent of any factors (unconditional), which would still make the human economy and lifestyle exist after a supposed rule of AI, if it were to replace the human race.


In summary, AI has been catalysed in modern times by investment, research, and development – a process that has led to the creation of a variety of specific AI tools. Even with modern mistakes in AI code, there is an expectancy that AI will still develop in the future, possibly threatening the use of the human race.

“We moved to a dead-end road,” says Daniel Labarge. A beer is lodged in the cup holder of his tractor as he goes about his Friday-afternoon chores. “Nice, calm, quiet. Then all of a sudden it blew up.” Mr Labarge’s farm in Champlain, New York, is within spitting distance of America’s northern border. A few years ago his unassuming street, Roxham Road, became a destination for migrants crossing north into Canada. Now, he says, the foot traffic is coming from the other direction.


Migration across America’s borders has long been a central issue in national security and policy debates, primarily the southern border. Yet while the country’s attention has been on the Rio Grande, some migrant flows have shifted. Ever more people are trying to get to America via its border with Canada. While the focus has traditionally been on the southern border, recent trends have revealed a significant shift in migration patterns, with the northern border, particularly along the Swanton Sector, emerging as a new focal point for illegal crossings. This change underscores the fluid nature of migration and presents new challenges for managing the world's longest land border.


The Swanton Sector, a 295-mile stretch of borderlands covering parts of eastern New York, Vermont, and New Hampshire, has become the epicenter of this surge. The area has seen a dramatic increase in migrant encounters, with nearly 19,500 recorded this fiscal year, up from roughly 900 in 2021. This increase, though smaller in scale compared to the southern border, highlights the complexities of managing this vast and diverse border region.


Geography helps explain why migrants are drawn to the Swanton Sector. They can travel south from Montreal, cross the border near Champlain and catch a bus to New York City. Dozens of migrants gather at the Greyhound stop in Plattsburgh, New York, where they huddle in a cramped shelter and await the bus. Soraya Seiden, who lives in town, hands out water and snacks every day. “It gets cold here soon…and daylight diminishes,” she says, “You see young girls, young men with their suitcase out there waiting in the dark.”


Robert Garcia, the agent in charge of the Swanton Sector, reported that more migrants were apprehended in his territory over ten months than in the previous 13 years combined. The majority of these migrants hail from Mexico and India, drawn to this region by its relatively accessible geography and proximity to major urban centers like Montreal and New York City. Smuggling networks, which facilitate these crossings, have capitalized on the northern border's perceived permeability, arranging everything from flights to Toronto or Montreal to transportation to the border and pickup vehicles on the other side. The cost for these services can range from $1,500 to $35,000.


The crossing is not without risks. There are no walls up here, but the borderlands where America and Canada meet are vast and rural. Dense forests surround fields of corn and wheat. The winter cold can be deadly. The frigid bodies of migrants are sometimes found on both sides, as evidenced by the tragic story of Ana Karen Vasquez-Flores, a Mexican migrant who drowned while attempting to cross into the United States via the Great Chazy River. Her death is a stark reminder of the dangers migrants face even in areas perceived as safer alternatives to the southern border.


The surge in northern border crossings has not only strained law enforcement resources but also affected local communities. Residents like Kyle Koss, who lives near the border, have observed an increase in migrants passing through their properties, often leaving behind discarded belongings. While local authorities have not reported a significant rise in crime, some residents have expressed concerns about safety, with a few taking additional precautions, such as carrying firearms.


Despite these concerns, data consistently shows that undocumented immigrants are less likely to commit crimes than U.S.-born citizens. A study co-led by Northwestern University economist Elisa Jácome, which analyzed 150 years of U.S. Census data, found that immigrants are 60% less likely to be incarcerated than native-born citizens. This finding challenges the narrative often used to justify stricter immigration controls and highlights the positive contributions immigrants make to American society.


As the Biden administration grapples with these new challenges, it has responded by tightening asylum procedures and increasing deportations at the northern border. However, the effectiveness of these measures remains uncertain, and the situation continues to evolve.


In navigating these challenges, it is crucial that policymakers base their decisions on facts rather than fear. The surge in northern border crossings is a complex issue that requires a holistic approach to immigration policy — one that acknowledges both the security concerns and the invaluable contributions of immigrants to the United States. Balancing these considerations will be key to effectively managing America’s borders in the years to come.

Memory is undoubtedly related to perception. The content we perceive is restored and reconstructed in memory, even if both are often considered to be separate and independent cognitive capacities. This article will explore how memories can become distorted over time and how this impacts personal identity and self-perception. It will also discuss the influence of technology on preservation and alteration, as well as offer strategies for coping with memory discrepancies.


Memory is the power to retain and recall information and past experiences. It helps us to frame our understanding of the past and our behaviour within the present, as well as to better interpret the world around us. To explain it simply: the human brain reshapes itself with each memory. The gaps between our brain cells, called synapses, are responsible for the communication between our neurons. Then, a part of our brain called the hippocampus can communicate with our cortex and literally change the brain’s physical wiring to retrieve information. However, it is important to notice that emotions are also inherently linked to and can influence cognitive skills and therefore, enhance the subjective vividness of the memory through the sense of reliving the emotional event. This process can determine how strong a memory is perceived at retrieval.


For example, just like in the children’s game where a message is whispered from person to person and becomes increasingly garbled, repeated retellings of a memory can alter the details, leading to significant distortions. This illustrates how memory is not a perfect record of past events but rather a reconstructive process susceptible to various influences. A renowned psychologist, Elizabeth Loftus, has conducted extensive research on memory distortion, particularly focusing on the creation of false memories and her studies have revealed people's memories could be altered when exposed to misleading information after an event. Loftus's research also showed that it is possible to implant entirely false memories in individuals. In one study, participants were given a booklet containing several real childhood events provided by their families and one fabricated event about getting lost in a shopping mall. Despite the event being false, about 25% of participants later recalled and even elaborated on the false memory as if it had genuinely happened. Stress can affect the type of memories we form as well. If we are stressed during an event, we may have more difficulty accurately remembering the details of the event later. Another factor to be considered is time, that may cause information stored in short term memory and never revisited to be forgotten.


It then becomes clear that memory distortion can play a crucial role in real life scenarios. For example, in 1692, the Salem Witch Trials led to the execution of 20 people based on accusations of witchcraft. The accusations were fueled by mass hysteria and false memories, often elicited through intense questioning and suggestive interrogation. The trials underscored how collective memory distortion and social pressure can lead to tragic consequences.


Furthermore, individual memory assumes a fundamental part in the improvement of individual identity. Our memories provide us with a sense of continuity, allowing us to connect our past experiences with our present selves and anticipate our future. They help us to create a narrative of our lives, which shapes our understanding of who we are , what we value and where we are headed. Additionally, distorted memories can either inflate or deflate self-esteem. Remembering oneself as more successful or competent than in reality can lead to overconfidence, while false memories of failures or inadequacies can result in lowered self-esteem and increased self-doubt.


This brings us to the issue raised due to technology. The constant multitasking, rapid information processing, and constant distractions can lead to decreased attention span, memory problems, and difficulty with cognitive functions. There is also the ease in which digital memories can be altered and how that can have negative implications in real life. Digital memories, such as photos and videos, offer high accuracy and consistency but can be manipulated and are vulnerable to data loss. Human recollection, though inherently subjective and prone to distortion over time, is flexible and adaptive, influenced by emotions and social interactions. Combining digital records with human memory can enhance accuracy, providing a balanced approach to understanding and verifying past events. Both digital and human memories have strengths and weaknesses that must be considered, particularly in contexts requiring high reliability, such as legal proceedings.


Therefore, using practices such as mindfulness can help us to keep ourselves grounded and better perceive our memories. It can even prevent our brains from deteriorating during high periods of stress, keeping our bodies healthier. To verify memories, consider keeping a detailed journal, recording events as they happen to preserve accuracy over time. Discuss memories with others who were present to gain different perspectives and confirm details.
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In conclusion, the complex relationship between memory and reality highlights how memories can be distorted by various factors such as suggestion, time, and emotional context. By acknowledging the fallibility of memory, individuals can seek truth and understanding in their personal histories. Seeking verification through diverse perspectives, documentation, and introspection can also foster a more accurate and cohesive narrative of our lives. This approach not only promotes personal growth but also contributes to clearer communication and healthier relationships based on shared and validated experiences.

It’s easy to look back down memory lane through rose-tinted glasses, convinced everything was, in fact, better in the past. Nostalgia is a powerful force. But through objective lenses, were items always better in the past? Nowadays, are clothes actually lower quality, are devices always bound to break too soon, and is craftsmanship dying out?


With the rise of social media, it’s easy to dismiss the acceleration in trend cycles as “the norm”. We buy items as though they’re disposable, swapping slightly used clothes for their newer, trendier version simply because the original became out of style. The same happens for appliances and personal tech devices; even though there is nothing inherently wrong with my iPhone, I may want to switch it for the latest model just because it has a few new updates, and not because I actually need to.


This rise in consumerism can be rooted back to the Industrial Revolution. Before then, most items were handmade. People would visit tailors and craftspeople, who would have dedicated most of their professional lives to perfect their craft. When machinery was introduced to the design process, the speed of production increased exponentially, but not without a cost in the quality of items. Over a century and a half later, during the Great Depression, American adman Earnest Elmo Calkins proposed a selling strategy for economic stimulation that defined purchasing habits of the contemporary world: “consumer engineering,” or how advertisers and designers could artificially create demand. Manufacturers can boost this demand by intentionally incorporating planned obsolescence – the practice of designing products to break quickly or become obsolete in the short to mid-term.


“That’s when manufactured products started to be sort of done in season for the cycles and fashion,” says Professor Matthew Bird, who teaches industrial design at the Rhode Island School of Design. “If you change the style regularly, people get tired of the style. They start to treat cars like sweaters — it’s become grossly accelerated.” He states that this demand lowers the quality of the product because the development and testing are accelerated even more.


In recent years, consumer engineering has become the role of the influencer, who fuels our consumerist mindset by naming things “cool” one day and “cringe” the next, leading to trends with shorter life spans, some dying out by the season.


The consequence of this mindset is that people are buying five times more clothes than they did back in the 1980s. But in the last 10 years, due to the climate crisis, inflation, the pandemic, and a series of other international issues, the cost of materials (such as fabric, metals, etc.) and labor have increased. In other words, it is literally impossible to maintain the same quality of goods whilst keeping the prices relatively low. So industries started to cut corners: if everything is more expensive and the customers still want to pay the same price, whilst still constantly switching styles to follow short-lived trends, both the quality of the item and the quality of the laborers’ lives have to decrease.


Material-wise, this could mean using thinner, cheaper fabric for clothes or using plastic and glue rather than metal and screws for appliances, for instance. The average customer won’t know the difference, especially when shopping online.


For workers, these cut corners often lead to being overworked and underpaid. Take the emerging fast-fashion giant, Shein, as an example: workers in some factories supplying Shein are still working 75-hour weeks, according to an investigation by Public Eye, a Swiss human rights advocacy group. In contrast, St. Paul’s students spend less than 40 hours a week at school (excluding extracurriculars) and already think it’s too much. And none of the factory workers are earning much. According to the same group, wages fluctuated between $829 and $1,382 per month. However, after deducting overtime pay, wages fell to about $332 a month. For reference, the minimum wage in the USA is $7.25 per hour, which multiplied by a 75-hour week, then 4 weeks per month, would equal $2175. Shein workers in Asia are making 15% of what they would under minimum wage in the USA, for clothes that go to consumers often in the USA, which are soon discarded after they go “out of style”.


Finally, by changing design to make items more manufacturable (more machines, fewer workers), companies can avoid higher labor costs. For products like phones, computers, remote controls, and others, it’s often cheaper to design in a way that reduces human labor. People are often required to assemble products, so designs with as few parts as possible are often preferred, as it’ll save a lot of time, and therefore money. “In the design of objects, they’re trying to reduce the amount of labor, and that changes what the object is,” Professor Bird says. “That produces cheaper goods, but it doesn’t necessarily produce better goods”. On the flip side, these objects can be harder to repair once broken, oftentimes lasting a lot less than they should.


In conclusion, yes, modern consumer goods are often of lower quality than they were in the past. According to the Industrial Designers Society of America, industrial designers often focus on three things: appearance, functionality, and manufacturability, and it’s the first two that are often sacrificed to boost productivity. We as customers must remember that these items were made to serve us, not break apart after a few uses. Maybe it’s time to slow down, take a deep breath, and invest in items of higher quality rather than chase the fast-paced trend cycles.

Neuralink is a company founded by Elon Musk which has developed the technological advancements of neuroscience, the study of the brain. According to their company, their goal is to “Create a generalized brain interface to restore autonomy to those with unmet medical needs today and unlock human potential tomorrow”. This would be attained through the installment of a Neuralink device on a human’s head. This device is a small implant, which would be surgically placed on the brain of the patient. Now, this technology seems phenomenal and seems to be a promising path to take the next step in human development. Although, it is important to ask ourselves: what are the collateral effects of Neuralink’s technology? How might the electrical transmissions of the device interfere with brain usage and memory?


Neuralink states that its devices comprise a biocompatible enclosure (hatch), a wireless battery, electronic chips, and protective electrode threads. In its primary years, Neuralink was being used on animals, for research and interpretation of brain signals. Nowadays, it’s currently able to interpret those brain signals as different actions, such as thoughts to control interactions such as a simple videogame – and its main use is the remote control of computers for disabled people. In its due course, the corporation aims to be able to control external limbs, such as the usage of an exoskeleton regaining muscle movement or even assisting with memory and brain capacity. This, alone, appears to be a phenomenal cause that brings a hopeful future for the daily endeavours of disabled people.


However, there is suspicion of Neuralink’s capabilities. If it claims to control body parts, what could be its effect on the brain? The main risk is brain damage. As far as we know about the brain, the implant of a Neuralink device seems safe, though it could potentially lead to brain tissue damage. Of course, this damage might scale from headaches to infections or inflammations (causing risk of amnesia, the loss of short and long-term memory) or even death, in certain cases. Another risk of using Neuralink is the deformation of the brain’s structure, which is also obviously detrimental to one’s health. Also, the research on the use of this technology is somewhat premature, and the long-term effects of this technology cannot be accurately pinpointed. So, even if we have a deduction of its side effects of 1 year; we cannot be sure about 50 years. Moreover, by having a precise interpretation of all thoughts, this technology can be used in an ethically incorrect way, such as reading one’s thoughts. Also, the electrical current/signals frequently in contact with brain cells may be an issue. Through the presentation of an electronic chip and electrodes, the Neuralink can detect brain activity, though it may also alter chemical reactions in brain cells in the long-term timescale.


All the risks above are possibilities of issues when dealing with the brain, which may be emitted by the Neuralink. However, it is still too early to point exactly at the defects of the device, as only temporary short-term results are a base of evidence, and maybe most (or all) of the conditions above will be handled correctly by the team. So, it is certain that many alterations in our brain complex can have traumatising effects, which might include memory damage; but the Neuralink results haven’t yet shown any severe implications with the brain, and the largest issues were still on test subjects and the primary patient, which was almost forced to retract his device due to loose electrode threads. Therefore, it is important to keep attentive to Neuralink’s further impact on society, as its subsequent usage may make the world – or break it.


Sources:
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/brain-stimulation-therapies/brain-stimulation-therapies#:~:text=Electrodes%20are%20placed%20at%20precise,or%20feel%20the%20electrical%20pulses.
https://electrocuted.com/blog/effects-of-electric-shock-on-the-brain/#:~:text=0%20Shares-,Research%20has%20shown%20that%20the%20effects%20of%20electric%20shock%20on,routine%20personal%20and%20professional%20tasks.
https://uk.news.yahoo.com/neuralink-told-first-human-patient-185203705.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAACOy71mtyapmclMYbTJ1fJeetj65Tg5jyCnAhzxSQLr73UhLVvw6qs8GXZuzvRPseZvHoMoOxlopT8ujkeOFh3N42XdSfCdNW80zH4c2lOAbiLdfkVl15qa57b1yhdy2v8rzhQOYGv9ggneaJoDK5M4Zkk6APhNVsPHvkBXyDvaX
https://www.presencesecure.com/the-pros-and-cons-of-neuralink-on-humans/#:~:text=High%20risk%20of%20brain%20injury,cause%20permanent%20damage%20or%20death.
https://www.wired.com/story/neuralink-brain-implant-elon-musk-transparency-first-patient-test-trial/#:~:text=%E2%80%9CIn%20our%20studies%2C%20we%20have,a%20first%20in%20that%20regard.
https://www.captechu.edu/blog/neuralinks-brain-chip-how-it-works-and-what-it-means#:~:text=The%20Future%20of%20Implantable%20Devices%20like%20Neuralink&text=It%20could%20be%20used%20to,augmentation%20and%20enhanced%20cognitive%20abilities.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLfBAy826BA
https://neuralink.com/ https://www.captechu.edu/blog/neuralinks-brain-chip-how-it-works-and-what-it-means#:~:text=The%20Future%20of%20Implantable%20Devices%20like%20Neuralink&text=It%20could%20be%20used%20to,augmentation%20and%20enhanced%20cognitive%20abilities.

How can we balance the high cost of electric cars and the pursuit of a more sustainable future?


Electric cars are significantly more expensive than cars that run on gas. Some people would argue that electric cars cost more than the cars that run by gas because filling a car that runs with gas costs way more than if you charge your car, so in the long term you would save money that you would spend on gas. Hybrid cars, hybrid meaning it runs on gas and electricity, are more popular because they have a bigger autonomy than electric cars, however they pollute less than cars that only run with gas.


The Chinese company BYD has changed the electric car market in Brazil with its new and cheaper electric cars such as the Mini Dolphin, the Dolphin Plus, the Seal, the Yuan plus, and the Song Plus, a hybrid SUV.


In 2023 1% of the cars sold were electric, around 19 thousand units sold across the country. As of April 2024, there are around 78 thousand electric cars in Brazil.


The problem that most people face is the lack of chargers in infrastructure in Brazil, which is a bigger problem for people that travel by car because they can’t just stop in a charging station and charge their car. In the United States, however, they have super chargers that take minutes to charge cars, yet regular chargers take way hours. In the United States they have super chargers spread along the whole country because as of 2023 there were more than 3.3 million electric vehicles, so in the United States there is way more demand than in Brazil. But in Brazil the numbers are growing, and it is believed that in January 2025 Brazil will have more than 100 thousand electric vehicles.
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Some of the leading electric car manufactures are BYD, Tesla, Hyundai, BMW and Mercedes Benz. With that, the government should change the infrastructure in gas stations to house electric chargers.

In the modern world, most of us are incessantly connected to digital platforms and social media. Instant communication, widespread information access, and the international community created by this digital era are attractive elements that tempt a growing number of people into the world of technology. Therefore, there is increasing concern about the importance of finding balance between freedom and responsibility online, to shape a healthy digital ecosystem.


Digital freedom and digital rights allow people to access, use, create and publish media, as well as access computers, other electronic devices, and communication networks. People have the right to freedom of expression and online creativity. These rights ensure the protection of privacy and security, but also promote equal access to technology and non-discrimination. Therefore, this democratizes information, enables social movements on a larger scale, and fosters innovation. For example, social media played a pivotal role in the Arab Spring movements by mobilizing protests, spreading information, and garnering international attention. Digital platforms allowed activists to organize large scale demonstrations and document events as they unfolded, which then nurtured a feeling of solidarity in both the region and worldwide. Technology was essential in amplifying voices that would otherwise be unheard or forgotten.


However, unrestricted digital freedom does have a dark side. There are the issues of spreading misinformation, cyberbullying, and the publication of harmful content. These aspects can lead to the worsening of mental health amongst internet users, that unfortunately are mostly teenagers going through crucial moments in their lives. For example, heavily edited pictures posted in social media can motivate comparison in teenage girls and make them insecure about their bodies when compared to unrealistic and unachievable standards, triggering a myriad of mental health challenges. There is also the case of digital freedom being impactful in a negative way in the political scenario. Misinformation during elections can lead to long-lasting consequences that may affect people on a national and international scale.


That is when digital responsibility becomes crucial. It refers to using technology in an appropriate, constructive way for oneself and others. Ethical behaviour, critical thinking, and respectful online interactions must be used to ensure a safe and responsible digital environment for all. Practicing good digital citizenship makes the online world a more welcoming place for everyone. And it is not only the role of users to do so, but also of tech companies and governments to teach and foster a responsible digital culture.


It then becomes our job to balance freedom and responsibility to maximize the benefits of digital platforms while minimizing harm. This balance can be achieved by promoting digital literacy education campaigns, platform policies that ensure respect and kindness, and enforcing the need for self-regulation in users.


Tech companies, for example, can ease this balance by implementing content moderation and algorithm transparency in their systems. Governments, on the other hand, have a more challenging time balancing freedom and responsibility without promoting any type of censorship. However, that still can be done in a more subtle manner, like for example, digital education campaigns, as well as the establishment of policies. One excellent example is the Digital Services Act (DSA) in the European Union. It imposes obligations on platforms to tackle illegal content, protect user's rights, and increase transparency, which creates a safer digital space with accountable platforms.


And most importantly, users are also responsible for the creation of a balanced digital environment. We must always remember to use our critical thinking skills and be mindful of our sources' reliability. Additionally, we must report any harmful content we meet and continually promote respectful discourse and spread kindness. This proactive attitude will contribute to a healthier online community and to the integrity of online spaces. In conclusion, the future of our digital society depends on this delicate balance, and it is up to us to contribute to its realization.