David Dobrikβs photo app Dispo raises $20m in funding
Dispo lets users take pictures through disposable camera filters and locks them for viewing until 9am the next day, imitating the vintage experiences of 90s photographers. You may know David Dobrik for his YouTube vlogs and Madison Beer antics, but heβs also a savvy venture capitalist and tech innovator. His...
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Instagramβs support initative for National Eating Disorders Awareness Week
The ubiquitous photo app, which has previously come under fire for promoting unrealistic body standards, is providing resources to support users throughout National Eating Disorders Awareness Week. When it comes to those afflicted with eating disorders or body dysmorphia, social media is often a triggering factor β especially when talking...
Is big tech aiding a tyranny against Indiaβs climate activists?
As an international conspiracy falls apart against Indiaβs adored climate activist Disha Ravi, big tech is being forced to answer for its role in aiding a national tyranny. In India, one of the nationβs most affected by climate change, it appears eco-activists are no longer safe to protest. Last month, Disha...
Instagram announces permanent suspensions for hate speech in DMs
At long last, Instagram is cracking down on racist and derogatory content within its direct messenger function. Hate speech will now lead to permanent account suspensions. Instances of racism on Instagram are once again receiving mainstream attention, and parent company Facebook is determined to finally nip the issue in the...
TikTok to tackle misinformation with fact checkers and content warnings
Falling in line with the big social networking sites, TikTok is now attempting to tackle its spread of misinformation with in-app warnings and fact checkers. While TikTok is all about fun and games, its insatiable rise to the top of mainstream culture now demands a more thorough look into the...
Wattpadβs takeover spells big opportunities for aspiring writers
Wattpad - the user-generated publishing app providing big-time opportunities to aspiring writers - is set for a huge year, with a purported $600 million buyout almost doubling its community in size. Itβs safe to say seniors at Wattpad arenβt exactly lacking in ambition. In 2020, the self-publishing company outlined its desire...
TikTok to support its Black creators with new incubator program
In lieu of broader efforts to ensure greater diversity and representation on the platform, TikTok has launched its Black Creators program for 2021. With the Black Lives Matter movement reaching a fever pitch of momentum in 2020, the biggest social media platforms are finally understanding the importance of providing all creators with equal opportunities online. Itβs with this goal in mind that TikTok is ramping up efforts to further invest in...
How TikTok became fashionβs social media linchpin
A competitive force to Instagram, which has long been fashion's de facto social media platform, TikTok's users have built a zeitgeist of acceptance as clashing sub-cultures and aesthetics co-exist in an extraordinary mixture of conversation, exchange, and adaptation. Ah, TikTok. The short-form video-sharing platform thatβs been absolutely dominating the teen market over the last two years and social mediaβs answer to shortened attention spans and technologyβs ever-increasing development. Letβs put things...
How to use Spark AR’s DIY resources for pro Instagram Stories
Facebookβs Spark AR is making digital design more accessible than ever before for aspiring creatives. Get involved and make a buck. Creatives are finally getting a peak behind the curtain in regard to digital design tools on social media, and developing the knack of producing professional quality work is easier than ever before. In this case, weβre looking into the augmented reality features youβll no doubt have seen on countless Insta...
Parler servers shut down in wake of US Capitol riot
Originally peddled as a social media network for unbridled free speech, Parler has been taken offline by hosts Amazon following the Capitol riots in the US. Parler, the Twitter clone known for peddling unbridled free speech with dangerously loose content moderation tools β depending on which side of the fence you sit β has this week seen its hosting services pulled by Amazon. After less than three turbulent years of...
