#crowd-insults
#crowd-insults

21 hours ago

Digital life

Is the UK falling out of love with social media?

Social media marketing

The anonymous social app that thinks it can work in Saudi Arabia | TechCrunch

fromThe Washington Post

Intellectual property law

US news

Heavy social media users believe in their influence. Democracy, not as much.

fromwww.scientificamerican.com

What the Meta and Google verdict means for social media design

Meta and Google found negligent for social media design, awarded $6 million in damages, raising legal questions about social media's safety and liability.

fromwww.socialmediatoday.com

70% of teens in Australia still access social media despite bans

Australia's social media ban for under-16s has led to millions of accounts being removed, but many children still access these platforms.

Media industry

fromNatesilver

3 hours ago

Social media is turning into a freak show

Social media's influence on content quality and publisher success has led to a crisis in foreign policy and political communication.

21 hours ago

Is the UK falling out of love with social media?

UK adults are becoming less active on social media, with only 49% posting, sharing, or commenting.

The anonymous social app that thinks it can work in Saudi Arabia | TechCrunch

Fizz is expanding globally, successfully launching in Saudi Arabia and aiming to become a generational social product beyond college campuses.

fromThe Washington Post

Intellectual property law

US news

Heavy social media users believe in their influence. Democracy, not as much.

fromwww.scientificamerican.com

What the Meta and Google verdict means for social media design

Meta and Google found negligent for social media design, awarded $6 million in damages, raising legal questions about social media's safety and liability.

fromwww.socialmediatoday.com

70% of teens in Australia still access social media despite bans

Australia's social media ban for under-16s has led to millions of accounts being removed, but many children still access these platforms.

more#social-media

Online Community Development

12 hours ago

I always considered social media evil': big tobacco whistleblower on tech's addictive products

Jeffrey Wigand compares social media companies' practices to the tobacco industry's targeting of children and negligence regarding addiction and harm.

8 hours ago

As people look for ways to make new friends, here are the apps promising to help | TechCrunch

The rise of friendship apps addresses increasing loneliness and social isolation, providing platforms for meaningful connections among individuals.

Relationships

fromSilicon Canals

1 day ago

Nobody tells you that expecting instant replies is a relatively new social norm - and that an entire generation learned to communicate in ways that never required it - Silicon Canals

Instant communication has created pressure that undermines meaningful relationships, which thrived in a slower-paced era of correspondence.

Philosophy

fromThe Conversation

Why the manosphere has an antisemitism problem

Antisemitism is prevalent in the manosphere, with influencers promoting harmful stereotypes and conspiracy theories about Jews.

1 day ago

Ana Kasparian Blasts AOC Over 'Trump-Like Attacks' On Media

Kasparian argued Ocasio-Cortez appears to have taken a page or two out of President Donald Trump's political playbook, based on the lawmaker's response to a shot on social media from Kasparian.

US politics

Shilling For the Illiberal Left': Tim Miller Gets Eviscerated After Defending Hasan Piker

Tim Miller defended Hasan Piker's acceptance in the Democratic Party, sparking controversy and debate about bigotry and tribalization in politics.

Left-wing politics

Hasan Piker Is the Left's Candace Owens. The Press Treats Him Like a Rock Star.

Hasan Piker's public persona contrasts sharply with his actual statements, often made for shock value and media attention.

Shilling For the Illiberal Left': Tim Miller Gets Eviscerated After Defending Hasan Piker

Tim Miller defended Hasan Piker's acceptance in the Democratic Party, sparking controversy and debate about bigotry and tribalization in politics.

Left-wing politics

Hasan Piker Is the Left's Candace Owens. The Press Treats Him Like a Rock Star.

Hasan Piker's public persona contrasts sharply with his actual statements, often made for shock value and media attention.

The Facebook insider building content moderation for the AI era | TechCrunch

Brett Levenson advocates for 'policy as code' to improve content moderation at Facebook, addressing deeper issues beyond technology.

Mental health

fromElectronic Frontier Foundation

Teen Romance and Breakups in the Digital Age

Teenage romantic breakups are significantly impacted by social media, texting, and AI, leading to new challenges and consequences.

LGBT

fromLGBTQ Nation

1 year ago

Fox host makes sick joke about teen suicide as Donald Trump signed anti-trans order - LGBTQ Nation

Jesse Watters expressed anger over the existence of trans people despite Republican control and Trump's executive order against trans girls in sports.

#meta

Privacy professionals

Weakening Speech Protections Will Punish All of Us-Not Just Meta

Tech industry

fromwww.npr.org

What's next for Meta in the wake of trial losses and layoffs?

Meta faces significant challenges with legal rulings and a shift in focus from the Metaverse to artificial intelligence.

Silicon Valley

'We're having a moment' - fear and denial in Silicon Valley over social media addiction trial

Intellectual property law

Social media's 'Big Tobacco' moment may have finally arrived

fromTechdirt

Meta Caves To The MPAA Over Instagram's Use Of 'PG-13,' Ending A Dispute That Was Silly From The Start

Meta's Instagram Teen Accounts will reduce references to PG-13 after MPA's objections, clarifying differences between social media and movie ratings.

fromTNW | Insights

Meta and YouTube found liable in landmark social media addiction trial

A California jury found Meta and Google liable for treating social media platforms as defective products, awarding $6 million in damages.

fromElectronic Frontier Foundation

Weakening Speech Protections Will Punish All of Us-Not Just Meta

Meta and YouTube face legal challenges, but lowering First Amendment protections could harm user speech rights.

Tech industry

fromwww.npr.org

What's next for Meta in the wake of trial losses and layoffs?

Meta faces significant challenges with legal rulings and a shift in focus from the Metaverse to artificial intelligence.

Silicon Valley

Intellectual property law

'We're having a moment' - fear and denial in Silicon Valley over social media addiction trial

Meta and YouTube were found liable for designing addictive platforms that harmed a young woman's mental health.

Social media's 'Big Tobacco' moment may have finally arrived

Meta and YouTube were found guilty of harming young users through addictive algorithms, challenging the protections of Section 230.

fromTechdirt

Social media marketing

Meta Caves To The MPAA Over Instagram's Use Of 'PG-13,' Ending A Dispute That Was Silly From The Start

fromTNW | Insights

Meta and YouTube found liable in landmark social media addiction trial

A California jury found Meta and Google liable for treating social media platforms as defective products, awarding $6 million in damages.

How Gaza Broke Big Tech's Campus Pipeline

Students are protesting the use of technology in military actions, particularly in relation to Israel's actions in Gaza.

London politics

Young people want to come together': experts respond to mass teen meet-ups in Clapham

Teenagers organized chaotic gatherings in London via social media, leading to disorder and arrests, prompting political outrage and calls for action against youth behavior.

SF politics

fromLos Angeles Times

President Trump bashed State Farm on social media: Why it didn't come out of the blue

Victims of the January 2025 wildfires are dissatisfied with insurers, prompting lawsuits and support from President Trump.

US Elections

Trump's Stunning Declaration in Now-Deleted Video Isn't Helped By Context'

Trump suggested states should handle daycare funding, indicating a potential cut to popular programs like Medicare and Medicaid during a viral Easter event.

EU data protection

fromAdExchanger

Data Privacy At The Kitchen Table | AdExchanger

Data privacy has become a significant concern for lawmakers and constituents, evolving into a key topic of discussion.

Boston Celtics

fromMashable

Do you know ball? Inside the internet's most obsessive basketball debate.

Ball knowledge in basketball transcends trivia, encompassing a deeper understanding of the game's systems and player roles.

SF parents

fromBoston.com

North Andover police investigate 'unauthorized' social media comment about Kelsey Fitzsimmons case

A former North Andover police employee made an unauthorized comment on the department's Facebook page, prompting an internal investigation.

NYC parents

Her daughter was murdered seven years ago. Why are images of the crime still on social media?

Bianca Devins was murdered by Brandon Clark, who shared graphic images of her body online, leading to ongoing trauma for her mother, Kim Devins.

Marketing

fromUnHerd

Cosmeticorexia is a symptom of social media replacing play

Children are increasingly engaging in skincare routines, leading to a projected $380 million market by 2028, raising concerns about the beauty industry's influence.

Psychology

How to Talk to Strangers

Talking to strangers can lead to meaningful connections, even if they don't develop into friendships.

Women in technology

Why is everyone in China changing their profile picture to Kris Jenner?

Kris Jenner has become a symbol of good luck and success for Chinese Gen Z on social media.

Tinder for Nazis' and the woman who hacked it - podcast

Martha Root, in disguise, hacked into WhiteDate, revealing a vast network of neo-Nazis who were actively seeking relationships based on their extremist beliefs.

NYC LGBT

Roam Research

fromSecuritymagazine

fromwww.independent.co.uk

8 in 10 AI Chatbots Likely to Help Plan Attacks, Hate Crimes

Most AI chatbots fail to discourage violent actions and often provide assistance for planning attacks.

UK politics

Social media influencers fuelling violent extremism', MPs warn

The Independent emphasizes the importance of accessible journalism and the need for regulatory scrutiny of social media to combat extremism.

Privacy technologies

fromMashable

New Bluesky AI only slightly less unpopular than JD Vance

Attie, an AI coding helper on Bluesky, has been blocked by 125,000 users, making it the second most blocked account on the platform.

#tiktok

fromgizmodo.com

fromwww.businessinsider.com

New York City

Mamdani Lifts NYC TikTok Ban for City Employees, but with Some Unusual Restrictions

Privacy technologies

TikTok ran ads for AI apps that let users undress strangers

Right-wing politics

TikTok pulls Israeli ultranationalist's account for breach of hate speech rules

New York City

fromgizmodo.com

fromwww.businessinsider.com

Mamdani Lifts NYC TikTok Ban for City Employees, but with Some Unusual Restrictions

New York City employees can now use TikTok on city devices with strict restrictions after a previous ban due to security concerns.

Privacy technologies

TikTok ran ads for AI apps that let users undress strangers

TikTok hosted over 50 sexually suggestive ads for apps promoting nonconsensual deepfake images, raising concerns about moderation failures.

TikTok pulls Israeli ultranationalist's account for breach of hate speech rules

TikTok removed an ultranationalist Israeli influencer's account for violating hate speech rules after videos of harassment were flagged.

Daily briefing: Suck-up chatbots can encourage real-life rudeness

Excessive approval from AI chatbots may increase stubbornness and rudeness during social conflicts.

Artificial intelligence

fromFuturism

Bluesky Users Respond With Overwhelming Disgust to Platform's New AI

Bluesky's new AI app Attie faces backlash from its anti-AI user base despite promises of user empowerment and control.

fromBuzzFeed

3 hours ago

Older People Are Sharing What College Life Was Like Before Smartphones

Smartphones have significantly altered social interactions and experiences, particularly in college, leading to challenges in making genuine connections.

fromThe Atlantic

1 day ago

How Some People Became So Averse to Hype

Anna Holmes defines 'hype aversion' as a reflex against being told what to like, suggesting that popularity can create pressure rather than signal quality. This feeling can lead to a deliberate choice to resist mainstream culture.

Media industry

Marketing tech

fromExchangewire

The Stack: AI Surges while Social Platforms Face Scrutiny

AI is growing rapidly, streaming models are evolving, and regulatory pressures on platforms are increasing globally.

Senator Known for Wild Tweets From Based' Account Reportedly in Contention to Be Trump's Next AG

Some senators are pushing the White House to appoint Sen. Mike Lee as Attorney General following Bondi's ouster and plan to pitch Trump directly on the idea, sources told me.

US politics

fromThe Verge

Reddit is moving on from r/all

Reddit is deprecating r/all to enhance Home feed personalization and simplify the platform.

fromThe Atlantic

Online Community Development

The Manosphere Feels Betrayed

Joe Rogan called Trump's actions in Iran 'so insane, based on what he ran on' while admitting he still texts with Trump occasionally, reflecting a deepening conflict within the manosphere.

Right-wing politics

fromPoynter

Fact-checking has to go where misinformation actually spreads - Poynter

Fact-checking must evolve from traditional metrics to address the fragmented and informal nature of today's information ecosystem.

NYC LGBT

fromLGBTQ Nation

Shocking video shows man attacking gay reality TV couple's vehicle in road rage incident - LGBTQ Nation

A road rage incident in West Hollywood involved a man attacking a gay couple's car while they were inside, fearing for their safety.

EU data protection

fromArs Technica

Musk loves Grok's "roasts." Swiss official sues in attempt to neuter them.

Swiss law may hold platforms liable for chatbot defamation, prompting potential changes to Grok's safeguards if prosecutors find X at fault.

Psychology

The Fear of Being Canceled Activates an Ancient Alarm

Therapists are observing a new anxiety disorder characterized by a fear of public shaming and ostracism, termed akyronophobia.

London politics

fromwww.standard.co.uk

Police ordered to stop wasting time on Twitter squabbles

Chief constables are criticized for prioritizing minor disputes over serious crimes like murder and robbery.

What could six fictional voters teach us about how social media really works?

Exploring online content through six fictional voters during the Senedd election reveals diverse political perspectives and the influence of social media algorithms.

US politics

MAGA Firebrands Come to House Democrat's Defense After TMZ Jab

MAGA figures defended Rep. Jared Moskowitz for working his son's basketball game amid government shutdown criticism from TMZ.

Media industry

OpenAI buys tech talkshow TBPN in push to shape AI narrative

OpenAI acquires TBPN to enhance public engagement on AI while allowing the show to maintain editorial independence.

fromThe Verge

Pinterest said he violated laid-off colleagues' privacy. Now he's going public

A former Pinterest engineer claims he was unjustly fired for sharing a tool that revealed employee layoffs.

Privacy technologies

Australia wants to sell its social media ban to the world but are the measures even working?

Age assurance technology is ineffective, with many teens bypassing age verification and platforms failing to enforce compliance with the social media ban.

Mental health

Teen Anxiety and the Dangers of Doomscrolling

Stress and anxiety hinder teens' future planning, while social media can provide temporary relief but may also lead to doomscrolling and distraction.

LGBT

fromQueerty

An underage "gay" scandal is tearing apart the manosphere & the girls are fighting - Queerty

Louis Theroux's documentary on toxic masculinity has sparked significant online interest, particularly regarding figures like Andrew Tate and Sneako.

Psychology

Online Community Development

Stop trying to 'educate' people into changing. Science proves it doesn't work

False assumptions hinder change; simply providing information does not guarantee behavior change.

fromThe Nation

The Bad-News Echo Chamber of Pro-Democracy Substack

Grassroots activism and positive narratives are essential for winning elections and countering the negative portrayal of democracy's challenges.

Flipboard's new 'social websites' help publishers and creators tap into the open social web | TechCrunch

Flipboard launched social websites, enabling creators to consolidate content and build communities around their work on decentralized platforms.

fromThe Atlantic

How We Maxxed Maxxing

Looksmaxxing is a trend where young men pursue attractiveness through various means, including self-harm and humor.

Media industry

Media Capture, Misinformation, and "Noise"

Media capture by governments leads to misinformation and censorship, undermining independent journalism and public accountability.

fromTheregister

Big Tech has not enforced Australia's social media ban

Australia's eSafety Commission is enforcing compliance with social media age restrictions after finding major platforms inadequate in protecting children under 16.

Australia's teen social media ban is a flop. But there's no joy in I told you so' | Samantha Floreani

The Australian teen social media ban has failed, with 70% of children still online and no reduction in cyberbullying or abuse.

fromLGBTQ Nation

A right-winger tried to own a No Kings protestor with gotcha questions. She skewered him instead. - LGBTQ Nation

A woman's powerful responses at a protest left a right-wing interviewer speechless, earning her widespread praise online.

fromConsequence

Chappell Roan Backlash Over Security Guard Incident Fueled by Bot-Driven Smear Campaign: Report

Chappell Roan faced backlash due to a security incident, with a significant portion of negative social media posts attributed to bots.

fromDigiday

In graphic detail: The long road to accountability for social media platforms

Big tech giants are now held accountable for harming children, marking a significant shift in social media regulation.

fromDailywire

Is This The Beginning Of The End Of Big Social Media?

Gen Z faces addiction to social media, paralleling past cigarette use, with legal actions emerging against tech companies for harmful design practices.

It is no fluke that social media platforms are addictive and causing harm. They were designed that way | Van Badham

Recent court rulings hold tech companies accountable for user harm and deceptive practices, imposing significant penalties for exploitation and addiction issues.

fromAxios

3 weeks ago

Behind the Curtain: The big lie warping America

Most Americans are patriotic, hardworking, neighbor-helping, America-loving, money-giving people who don't pop off on social media or plot for power. The hidden truth: Most people agree on most things, most of the time. And the data validates this, time and time again.

US politics

3 Ways to Assign Social Meaning in the Digital Age

Belonging is essential for fulfillment, especially in challenging times, yet the digital age complicates genuine connections.

fromPhys

3 weeks ago

Social media influencers increase the toxicity and power of misinformation, research shows

Social media influencers perpetuate misinformation more effectively than regular users due to parasocial relationships with followers and financial incentives tied to engagement.

The Landmark Verdict Against Social Media Got It Right

Social media platforms contribute to radicalization and mental health issues among youth, necessitating offline community building to prevent mass violence.

fromTalkNats.com

The on-line bullies in the sports talk world | TalkNats.com

You must be a TalkNats Subscriber to access this content. Subscribers have access to exclusive content on the TalkNats website and can engage in discussions with other Nats fans.

Washington Nationals

Artificial intelligence

AI 'slop' is transforming social media - and a backlash is brewing

Cheap, obvious AI-generated images and videos are widely shared and emotionally engage social media users, often spreading without meaningful scrutiny.

US politics

fromThe Mercury News

Letters: Social media's tactics, not its content, are in question

Social media algorithms function as harmful, profit-driven products; wealthy taxation, environmental protection of Coyote Valley groundwater and wildlife, and corporate accountability are urgent public concerns.

Mental health

The Hate Behind the Screen

Online anonymity and social contagion drive widespread harassment, harming mental health and requiring balancing free speech with ethical responsibility to prevent harm and promote respect.

fromwww.nytimes.com

When Posting Becomes Its Own Style of Politics

In December, the YouTuber Nick Shirley uploaded a video purporting to expose a scheme led by Somali refugees in Minneapolis. It caught the attention of Vice President JD Vance, who shared the video online. Soon after, ICE was deployed to the city. The video was inspiring to Amy Reichert, a 58-year-old San Diego resident, who started making her own videos claiming a similar scheme was afoot in her city.

Right-wing politics

fromHarvard Gazette

A start in bridging divisiveness: Rein in social media - Harvard Gazette

An acceptance of violence and extremism, and the dehumanization that is integrated with that viewpoint, comes when you stop thinking that you have a shared future with other people,

US politics

Letting Trump Trolls Smear Alex Pretti as Violent Psychopath' Is Not Debate' It is Disgusting

Letting bad-faith Trump trolls (but I repeat myself twice) smear slain protester Alex Pretti as a violent psychopath in the name of debate is a line that responsible news organizations should not cross. Allow me to set the table here. I'm talking about the newly resurfaced viral video that desperate MAGA flying monkeys have seized on to try and stanch the bleeding from what America saw last Saturday.

US politics

fromTheSavvyGamer