- Carol Stephen - New Media

Social Media for Social Good September 22 #DigiBlogChat

September 18, 2026 By Carol Stephen Leave a Comment

Image by <a href="https://pixabay.com/users/kanenori-4749850/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=8199770">Kanenori</a> from <a href="https://pixabay.com//?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=8199770">Pixabay</a>

September 22 #DigiBlogChat topic is Social Media for Social Good: Image Kanenori from Pixabay

On Tuesday, September 22 our #DigiBlogChat topic is Social Media for Social Good on Bluesky at 12:00 Noon Pacific Time.

Lately, social media has come under attack, and perhaps rightly so. Many of us see what happens when kids and adults are online too much. But sometimes social media leads to good things or events happening. Do you agree? Let’s explore this idea together.

Join us on BlueSky each Tuesday from 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m. Pacific Time for #DigiBlogChat. My partner for these chats is @LazBlazter. If you need to know how to participate, click here: How to Join #DigiBlogChat. P.S. Don’t forget to add the #DigiBlogChat hashtag! It can help you organize the posts if you want to organize them later.

NOTE THE TIME: 8pm UK, 9pm W Europe, 3pm ET, Noon PDT

Questions

Q1. Describe a time when you were encouraged to support a worthwhile cause on social media. #DigiBlogChat

Q2. When did you last discover a positive outcome on an environmental cause via social media? #DigiBlogChat

Q3. Have you ever spread the word about a local event for the social good? #DigiBlogChat

Q4. What is the correct amount of time to spend online to maximize a positive outcome? #DigiBlogChat

Q5. Which groups or accounts do the most good online? #DigiBlogChat

Q6. Have you ever been convinced to change your viewpoint because of a social media post? #DigiBlogChat

Q7. From what platform have you learned the most about nonprofit causes? #DigiBlogChat

Q8. Do you avoid posting about social causes online? Why or why not? #DigiBlogChat

Q9. Where would you begin to get the word out if you had a social cause? #DigiBlogChat

Q10. What motivates you to donate your time, energy, or money to a nonprofit? #DigiBlogChat

Filed Under: Digiblogchat questions Tagged With: DigiBlogChat, social good, Social Media

Measuring and Improving Productivity September 15 #DigiBlogChat

September 10, 2026 By Carol Stephen Leave a Comment

Tuesday, September 15 topic-Measuring and Improving Productivity | Image by Anton Lovász from Pixabay

On Tuesday, September 15 our topic is Measuring and Improving Productivity on Bluesky at 12:00 Noon Pacific Time.

Do you consider yourself productive? Many of us would like to be more productive, but are unsure how that would happen. If you consider yourself productive, maybe you can share some of your secrets with some of us who aren’t so productive.

NOTE THE TIME: 8pm UK, 9pm W Europe, 3pm ET, Noon PDT

Questions

Q1. How do you track the chores and daily tasks you need to do? #DigiBlogChat

Q2. Do you have a productivity mentor or someone who inspires you to stay on track? #DigiBlogChat

Q3. What’s your secret to getting the difficult chores done? #DigiBlogChat

Q4. Have you found that your attitude toward being productive has changed over the years? #DigiBlogChat

Q5. Who is the most productive person you know? #DigiBlogChat

Q6. Are you an “eat the frog” type of person? How so? #DigiBlogChat

Q7. How do you stay ahead of your writing? #DigiBlogChat

Q8. What’s one thing about productivity that you wish you’d known earlier? #DigiBlogChat

Q9. What’s a simple way to track productivity? How about a complex way? #DigiBlogChat

Q10. What chores can you stop doing manually? And will you? #DigiBlogChat

Filed Under: Digiblogchat questions Tagged With: DigiBlogChat, productivity

Green Tech and Energy-Efficient Data Centers September 8 #DigiBlogChat

September 4, 2026 By Carol Stephen Leave a Comment

Tuesday, September 8 topic-Green Tech & Energy-Efficient Data Centers | Image: kp yamu Jayanath from Pixabay

Our next topic for #DigiBlogChat is Green Tech and Energy-Efficient Data Centers (with topic and questions by @lazblazter.bsky.social)!

Data centers have been all over the news lately, with most people dismissing them out of hand. A recent Gallup poll shows that about 71% of people don’t want AI Data Centers near their homes, according to a nationwide (U.S.) poll. However, we know that AI is here to stay. So let’s take a look at “green tech” and the possibility of energy-efficient data centers.

Q1. When you hear “green tech,” what’s the first technology or practice that comes to mind? #DigiBlogChat

Q2. As AI workloads and data demands surge, how concerned are you about the energy footprint of the internet? #DigiBlogChat

Q3. Data centers generate massive amounts of heat. What do you think of reusing that waste heat to warm homes, greenhouses, or public pools? #DigiBlogChat

Q4. Beyond traditional fans and air conditioning, what cooling innovations (like liquid immersion or cold-climate siting) have caught your eye? #DigiBlogChat

Q5. Many tech providers now run on renewable microgrids or explore nuclear/geothermal power. Do you look for green hosting when choosing digital services? #DigiBlogChat

Here are the second half of the questions:

Q6. “Digital hoarding” fills up servers worldwide. Have you ever done a digital declutter (deleting old cloud files, duplicate photos, unread emails) to save storage? #DigiBlogChat

Q7. How can hardware manufacturers and data centers better tackle electronic waste (e-waste) and extend the lifecycle of server components? #DigiBlogChat

Q8. Is it possible for generative AI to become truly energy-efficient, or will computing demand always outpace green energy gains? #DigiBlogChat

Q9. What metrics or certifications (like Energy Star, PUE, or B-Corp) do you trust to prove a tech company is genuinely sustainable, rather than greenwashing? #DigiBlogChat

Q10. What is one simple action individuals or small businesses can take today to support a more sustainable digital ecosystem? #DigiBlogChat

Filed Under: Digiblogchat questions Tagged With: AI, data centers, DigiBlogChat

Online Safety & Spam Prevention! September 1 #DigiBlogChat

August 28, 2026 By Carol Stephen Leave a Comment

Image by <a href="https://pixabay.com/users/stocksnap-894430/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=2588537">StockSnap</a> from <a href="https://pixabay.com//?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=2588537">Pixabay</a>

Tuesday, September 1’s topic is Online Safety & Spam Prevention | Image StockSnap from Pixabay

On Tuesday, September 1 our topic is Online Safety & Spam Prevention on Bluesky at 12:00 Noon Pacific Time. Online safety has become a primary concern for many of us. #DigiBlogChat.

By the way, we do realize that laws differ enormously between countries. The U.K. has far more privacy guardrails in place than the U.S., for instance.

Have you had to find more ways to prevent spam? Many of us have had to buy solutions to be safer online. How about you? Come and chat with us about this topic!

NOTE THE TIME: 8pm UK, 9pm W Europe, 3pm ET, Noon PDT

Questions

Q1. What’s one simple thing you’ve done lately to prevent spam? #DigiBlogChat

Q2. Have you ever picked up a spam phone call by mistake and how did you handle it? #DigiBlogChat

Q3. Have you turned off Microsoft Word’s ability to scan your documents? Microsoft Account > Settings > Privacy > Connected Experiences > turn off optional connected services #DigiBlogChat

Q4. Which search engines are best at security? #DigiBlogChat

Q5. Would you turn off Google’s recording you through your phone if you could? #DigiBlogChat

Q6. How do you prevent your smart devices from spying on you? #DigiBlogChat

Q7. If you had to give up your browser, what would be your second favorite browser? #DigiBlogChat

Q8. Please give us a recent tip about a privacy measure that surprised you! #DigiBlogChat

Q9. How can you use A/I and still maintain your own privacy? #DigiBlogChat

Q10. What are some ways to protect your financial accounts online? #DigiBlogChat

Filed Under: Digiblogchat questions Tagged With: DigiBlogChat, Online Safety, Spam Prevention

The Rise of Influencer Culture August 25 #DigiBlogChat

August 21, 2026 By Carol Stephen Leave a Comment

Image by <a href="https://pixabay.com/users/pexels-2286921/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=2179093">Pexels</a> from <a href="https://pixabay.com//?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=2179093">Pixabay</a>

Our August 25 topic: The Rise of Influencer Culture on Bluesky | Image: Pexels from Pixabay

On Tuesday, August 25th our topic is The Rise of Influencer Culture on Bluesky at 12:00 Noon Pacific Time. We chat about technical and business topics from time to time on #DigiBlogChat.

Have you ever changed your mind on a topic or been convinced to buy something due to an influencer? What is your opinion of influencer culture? Should people who claim to be influencers need credentials or education in the topic they claim to be influential in?

NOTE THE TIME: 8pm UK, 9pm W Europe, 3pm ET, Noon PDT

Questions

Q1. What qualifies someone as an influencer? #DigiBlogChat

Q2. Have you ever changed your mind on an important issue because of an influencer? How so? #DigiBlogChat

Q3. How do influencers change the course of political races? #DigiBlogChat

Q4. What credentials should influencers be required to have, if any? #DigiBlogChat

Q5. What makes you doubt an influencer’s claims? #DigiBlogChat

Q6. If you were to become an influencer, which topic would you choose? #DigiBlogChat

Q7. Is influencer culture on the rise? Or has it already begun to lose its footing? #DigiBlogChat

Q8. Who are some legitimate influencers that you follow? #DigiBlogChat

Q9. How does someone become an influencer? #DigiBlogChat

Q10. Who influences the influencers? #DigiBlogChat

Filed Under: Digiblogchat questions Tagged With: DigiBlogChat, influencer culture

Due Diligence for SMEs August 18 #DigiBlogChat

August 14, 2026 By Carol Stephen Leave a Comment

Due Diligence for SMEs | Image by Tung Lam from Pixabay

On Tuesday, August 18th our topic is Due Diligence for the Small to Medium Enterprise (SME) – featuring Mark Bernstein from Diligentsia – https://diligentsia.co.uk/ on Bluesky at 12:00 Noon Pacific Time. We chat about technical and business topics from time to time on #DigiBlogChat.

Maybe you’re supporting a small to medium enterprise, or you’re there to support a friend. Small to medium enterprises represent nearly all businesses in the U.S., according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and 98.5% of those in the U.K.! Wo join us for this chat. We can all learn from each other!

NOTE THE TIME: 8pm UK, 9pm W Europe, 3pm ET, Noon PDT

Questions

Q1. Let’s start simple — what actually IS “SME transaction diligence”? #DigiBlogChat

Q2. Why should a team running an early stage business about this now, rather than when a deal actually turns up? #DigiBlogChat

Q3. What’s the worst that can realistically happen if you just try to wing it? #DigiBlogChat

Q4. Give us a concrete example of a small “oversight” that’s blown up a deal. #DigiBlogChat

Q5. What are the main “flavours” of diligence a founder should know about? #DigiBlogChat

Q6. How is AI actually changing this process — is it hype, or is it real? #DigiBlogChat

Q7. Does AI mean diligence gets easier, or does it actually raise the bar? #DigiBlogChat

Q8. What should a founder actually DO to get “diligence ready” — practically speaking? #DigiBlogChat

Q9. Any myths about diligence you’d like to bust for this audience? #DigiBlogChat

Q10. If a founder takes away just ONE thing from this conversation, what should it be? #DigiBlogChat

Filed Under: Digiblogchat questions Tagged With: DigiBlogChat, Small to Medium Enterprise, SMEs

Creating a Writing Habit August 11 #DigiBlogChat

August 6, 2026 By Carol Stephen Leave a Comment

Image by <a href="https://pixabay.com/users/pezibear-526143/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=772488">Petra</a> from <a href="https://pixabay.com//?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=772488">Pixabay</a>

Creating a Writing Habit | Image by Petra from Pixabay

On Tuesday, August 11th our topic is Creating a Writing Habit on Bluesky at 12:00 Noon Pacific Time. We chat about writing (and blogging) from time to time on #DigiBlogChat.

Maybe you’ve wanted to start writing, or perhaps you’re just out of the habit. There are those of us who continue to write, and some who like to sit on the sidelines. Wherever you are on the writing spectrum, join us for this chat. We can all learn from each other!

NOTE THE TIME: 8pm UK, 9pm W Europe, 3pm ET, Noon PDT

Questions

Q1. How could documenting small moments in your life help your writing habit’s progress? #DigiBlogChat

Q2. How could an everyday object spur you to write? #DigiBlogChat

Q3. Is writing more painful or painless to you and why? #DigiBlogChat

Q4. How does stream-of-consciousness writing help clear your head of ideas? #DigiBlogChat

Q5. Do you ever judge your own writing? Does that help or hinder your writing? #DigiBlogChat

Q6. Could you write about your worst life experience? Why or why not? #DigiBlogChat

Q7. How would writing about your best life experience be easier than writing about your worst? #DigiBlogChat

Q8. How does anger or joy create an atmosphere for you to write? #DigiBlogChat

Q9. What does every good writer need to remember? Why? #DigiBlogChat

Q10. How does your curiosity create a positive writing atmosphere? #DigiBlogChat

Filed Under: Digiblogchat questions Tagged With: DigiBlogChat, writing, writing habit

Why Gratitude Matters August 4 #DigiBlogChat

July 31, 2026 By Carol Stephen Leave a Comment

Image by <a href="https://pixabay.com/users/no-longer-here-19203/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=2819291">No-longer-here</a> from <a href="https://pixabay.com//?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=2819291">Pixabay</a>

Why Gratitude Matters | Image by No-longer-here from Pixabay

On Tuesday, August 4th our topic is Why Gratitude Matters on Bluesky at 12:00 Noon Pacific Time. This topic has been popular throughout the years that #DigiBlogChat has been around.

There are always people to thank, but do we always remember to thank them? Or perhaps your circumstances were changed because of something and you feel grateful for that. If you’ve ever wanted to express your gratitude, or would like to express it more, how about joining our chat? Let’s share some ideas!

NOTE THE TIME: 8pm UK, 9pm W Europe, 3pm ET, Noon PDT

Questions

Q1. Do you express gratitude daily? Do tell! #DigiBlogChat

Q2. Is there someone whom you’ve been meaning to thank? #DigiBlogChat

Q3. When was the last time you wrote a thank you card? #DigiBlogChat

Q4. Have you ever expressed gratitude to yourself? How so? #DigiBlogChat

Q5. Have you ever kept a gratitude journal? How did that work out? #DigiBlogChat

Q6. How has expressing gratitude changed your life? #DigiBlogChat

Q7. Who is the most grateful person in your life? #DigiBlogChat

Q8. Do you have any prompts for writing about gratitude that you’d like to share? #DigiBlogChat

Q9. What are you grateful for that others might take for granted? #DigiBlogChat

Q10. How does gratitude cause you to move to action? #DigiBlogChat

Filed Under: Digiblogchat questions Tagged With: DigiBlogChat, gratitude, gratitude #DigiBlogChat

Phone Photo Improvement July 28 #DigiBlogChat

July 24, 2026 By Carol Stephen Leave a Comment

Phone Photo Improvement | Image by Pascal Beckmann from Pixabay

On Tuesday, July 28 our topic is Phone Photo Improvement on Bluesky at 12:00 Noon Pacific Time. This topic and questions are by Beth @beththephotog.bsky.social.

We’ve all taken photos on our phone, but maybe haven’t thought too much about the quality or what to do to improve those photos! But with just a little bit of time, your photos can be vastly different and better. If that sounds like you, how about joining our chat? Let’s share some ideas!

NOTE THE TIME: 8pm UK, 9pm W Europe, 3pm ET, Noon PDT

Questions

Q1. How can you make your phone photos pop? #DigiBlogChat

Q2. What are composition rules and why do photographers use them? #DigiBlogChat

Q3. Is simple better? Show us an example of a simple photo you took on your phone. #DigiBlogChat

Q4. Backgrounds – no one likes trees, wires or buildings growing out of their heads! Do you pay attention to what is going on behind your subject? Why or why not? #DigiBlogChat

Q5. What is your why when taking a photo? #DigiBlogChat

Q6. On vacation, do you plan the must-have photos or do you just wing it? Why? #DigiBlogChat

Q7. Do you have any accessories for your phone so you can get that shot? #DigiBlogChat

Q8. When should you use your phone’s flash? #DigiBlogChat

Q9. What is HDR and when do you use it? #DigiBlogChat

Q10. What is your favorite phone photo? POST IT and TELL US about it! #DigiBlogChat

BONUS: How do you make sure your subject is in sharp focus? #DigiBlogChat

Filed Under: Digiblogchat questions Tagged With: phone photo, Phone Photo Improvement, photography

Retirement Planning July 21 #DigiBlogChat

July 14, 2026 By Carol Stephen Leave a Comment

Retirement Planning

On Tuesday, July 21 our topic is Retirement Planning on Bluesky at 12:00 Noon Pacific Time. This topic and questions are by @dandyrandy.bluesky.social

Have you considered retiring, or have you already retired? Then perhaps you’ve thought about what you’ll do when the time comes. If that time is already here, is there anything you’d care to share with us? Let’s share some ideas!

NOTE THE TIME: 8pm UK, 9pm W Europe, 3pm ET, Noon PDT

Questions

Q1. What does retirement mean for you personally? #DigiBlogChat

Q2. If you have a retirement plan, what’s in it? #DigiBlogChat

Q3. If you’re already retired, what advice can you share? #DigiBlogChat

Q4. When you retire, will you work part time? Why or why not? #DigiBlogChat

Q5. Have you thought about volunteering when you retire? #DigiBlogChat

Q6. Where will you live when you retire? Why? #DigiBlogChat

Q7. How does travel figure into your retirement plan? #DigiBlogChat

Q8. What activities or hobbies will you engage in to stay connected? #DigiBlogChat

Q9. What concerns or challenges do you have about retirement? #DigiBlogChat

Q10. How will you stay physically active when you retire? #DigiBlogChat

Filed Under: Digiblogchat questions Tagged With: DigiBlogChat, retirement, retirement planning