In the Press | Institute of Communication, Culture, Information and Technology

ICCIT research is featured regularly in major Canadian and international media outlets. Find out more about the public scholarship put out by our faculty and graduate students below.

Our researchers are available for interviews, panels, and other media inquiries. Browse our directories of current faculty and graduate students to find a researcher whose expertise align with your inquiry.

Featured News

A circle of teenagers in a field using their cellphones

I know the answer to protecting kids online and it’s not banning cellphones

By Rhonda McEwen

Published May 2, 2024 in The Toronto Star

The recent lawsuit brought by four Ontario school boards against Meta Platforms Inc., owner of Facebook and Instagram, and the owners of Snapchat (Snap Inc), and TikTok (ByteDance), alleging they harm students and the education system, brings to light the urgent need for managing social media use in elementary schools.

An RC Coffee automated cafe at Dundas Station in Toronto, featuring an elaborate wall wrap that reads "Toronot's automated cafe."

The rise of robo-retail: Who gets left behind when retail is automated?

By Mathew Iantorno

Published February 14, 2024 in The Conversation

Canada’s first robotic cafe, RC Coffee, opened in Toronto in October 2020. The flagship location of the coffee chain revived the long-dormant retail concept of the automat: a restaurant where food and drinks are served by technology, rather than human staff.

TVO workers striking by walking in a circle on the sidewalk outside their office building

TVO strike highlights the scourge of contract work in public service journalism

By Nicole Cohen

Published August 29, 2023 in The Conversation

Workers at TVO are on strike for the first time in the public broadcaster’s 53-year history. Amid the din of traffic outside TVO’s offices in Toronto, unionized journalists, producers and education workers hold picket signs declaring: “Fund TVO Like it Matters.”

A collage of three TikTok lives featuring young, female video game influencers

What the ‘NPC streaming’ TikTok trend spells for the future of gaming and erotic work

By Christine H. Tran

Published July 25, 2023 in The Conversation Canada

Yes, yes… mmm, mmm ice cream so good,” coos a platinum-haired woman known on TikTok as Pinkydoll. Holding a hair straightener, she plays with popcorn kernels and audibly pops her lips. Your screen brightens with emojis of food, roses and stars purchased by her audience. What are we watching? Why?

A woman with a VR headset on against a blank backdrop, reaching out to touch a virtual object

Billions have been sunk into virtual reality. To make it worth it, the industry needs to grow beyond its walled gardens

By Bree McEwen

Published February 26, 2023 in The Conversation Canada

Despite recent waves of Big Tech layoffs, billions of dollars have been sunk into virtual reality (VR) hardware and software over the past few years. For this investment to be worthwhile, the VR industry needs to achieve sustainability and growth.

Overhead view of the produce aisle of a Loblaw's grocery store, showing customers browsing a selection of fruits and vegetables

Loblaw's PR response to consumer criticism shows it prioritizes profit over people

By Dan Guadagnolo

Published February 22, 2023 in The Conversation Canada

Loblaw Companies made headlines in October 2022 for freezing the prices on one of its in-store brands in the face of record food inflation. When the promotion finally ended on Jan. 31, consumers responded negatively to the announcement.