Signals

South Korea – LG Display has achieved a major milestone in display technology with the launch of the world’s first stretchable display, capable of expanding by up to 50%. The breakthrough was unveiled on 8 November 2024 at LG Science Park in Seoul during a meeting of more than 100 South Korean stakeholders from industry, academia and research. 

The innovative display features a 12-inch screen that stretches to 18 inches while maintaining a high resolution of 100ppi and full RGB colour. By using advanced materials such as a special silicon substrate and micro-LED light sources, the display boasts durability to withstand over 10,000 stretches in extreme conditions, making it a game-changer for industries including fashion, wearables and automotive. 

Among the applications showcased was a wearable display for firefighters that delivers real-time data and an adaptive automotive panel. ‘We aim to build a sustainable future display ecosystem through collaboration with South Korean industry and research leaders,’ said Soo-young Yoon, CTO of LG Display. 

This development solidifies LG Display’s leadership in next-generation displays, positioning the company to define new possibilities in technology design. 

In our macrotrend report Home States Futures: Residential Retail we discuss how brands are creating new innovative smart devices that enhance entertainment experiences and offer people escapism from the comfort of their sofas.  

US – A study by the News Literacy Project reveals that teens encounter conspiracy theories on their social media feeds at least once a week, yet most schools fail to offer media literacy education. The report, based on responses from more than 1,000 teens aged 13 to 18, highlights that many young people struggle to differentiate between factual and false information online. 

The findings come amid a growing flood of online misinformation targeting teens, making the need for media literacy instruction more urgent than ever. Eight in 10 teens on social media say they see posts that spread or promote conspiracy theories, but the frequency of their exposure varies: 20% of teens report seeing these posts in their feeds daily, 31% report seeing them weekly and 29% report seeing them less than once a week. As misinformation proliferates, educators and policymakers must act to equip the next generation with the tools to navigate today’s complex media landscape.  

‘News literacy is fundamental to preparing students to become active, critically thinking members of our civic life,’ says Kim Bowman, senior research manager at the News Literacy Project and author of the report. Without these skills, Bowman warns, teens face lifelong disadvantages in civic engagement and personal decision-making. 

Read how Gen Z and their parents are re-evaluating their relationship with technology in response to its toxic and addictive nature in our Teens, Tech and Tapping Out report.