Is Reddit down? Outage reported by social media users
There was a spike of more than 46,000 error reports Wednesday afternoon for Reddit, according to Downdetector.
What is Bluesky? Social network sees user surge post-election
Bluesky, a social media platform similar to X, gained over 1 million users in the week following the U.S. election as former X users look for alternative online spaces.
Georgia residents reporting disturbing racist messages before, after election
Multiple Georgia residents contacted FOX 5 Atlanta after receiving an alarming text message about upcoming enslavement or being informed about a potential threat from white supremacists and KKK members.
When is Spotify Wrapped? Streamer chimes in about counting rumor
The streaming giant clarified recently a much-debated element about its beloved Spotify Wrapped.
Half of US teens spend over 4 hours daily on screens, CDC study finds
A new CDC study reveals that half of American teens spend four or more hours each day on screens, with links to increased rates of anxiety and depression.
Illinois state senator apologizes for social media post that prompted calls for her resignation
State Sen. Sara Feigenholtz is in hot water for social media posts considered to be Islamophobic.
Meta launches campaign to protect teens from sextortion scams
Financial sextortion is when an online predator tricks the victim into sharing intimate pictures or videos and then demands money to keep the content private. Instagram is launching an in-app awareness campaign to educate users on how to spot and avoid these scams.
X returns to Brazil after monthlong shutdown — what’s next for the platform?
After a monthlong suspension, X (formerly Twitter) has resumed operations in Brazil. The platform, owned by Elon Musk, complied with local laws and court orders to restore service in one of its biggest markets.
TikTok faces lawsuit from Illinois and 13 other states over impact on children’s mental health
Illinois has joined forces with 13 other states and the District of Columbia to sue TikTok, alleging that the app harms the mental health of children.
States sue TikTok over claims it's addictive, harmful to children
More than a dozen states and the District of Columbia have filed lawsuits against TikTok on Tuesday.
Crypto scammer swindles more than $1 million from Bay Area woman
Crypto-crime keeps exploding, often aimed at Americans by a worldwide network of heartless criminals who don’t care about whose lives they destroy. One victim, a professional woman, was willing to talk about the kind of financial devastation few of us can ever imagine.
'Screenagers' documentary explores impact of social media on kids
Kids are exposed to so many different things on social media these days. A lot of them are being influenced in dangerous ways, the negative mental health impact very well-documented. This new documentary called “Screenagers” shows the negative impact it’s having on the younger generations.
More Americans are regularly getting news on TikTok, Pew Research finds
TikTok users are now more likely to get news from TikTok than Facebook users are to get news from Facebook, the survey found.
Scammers use AI to fake videos in new scheme
Scammers are using artificial intelligence in many of their schemes on social media. One victim explained how she was tricked by an AI-generated video of her friend.
Instagram teen accounts roll out this month. Here’s what to know
Instagram will automatically put teens in private accounts that come with more restrictions. Here’s what parents should know about these new, so-called “teen accounts.”
Joliet schools shift to e-learning Monday after threats on social media
Students in Joliet will attend classes remotely Monday after a series of violent threats that were posted online.
TikTok court hearing happening on Monday
Will TikTok be banned in the United States after all? Oral arguments are set to begin Monday in federal court.
Chicago's Lucky Charms purse disappears after going viral
There's a cereal mystery on Chicago's Northwest Side.
YouTube launches tools to detect face and voice deepfakes
YouTube is launching new tools to help creators detect and manage AI-generated deepfakes of their faces and voices.
Bridgeport's Johnny Viti using social media skits to teach the world how to be a true Chicagoan
Bridgeport resident Johnny Viti is teaching people all over the world the ins and outs of being a true Chicagoan, one social media video at a time. This includes a Chicago 101 seminar, a support group for local sports fans - which Bears fans will not need this season - or the scheme behind making sure the expressways are under construction as much as humanly possible.