TikTok
THIS WEEK ONLINE – Guy Who Birthed AI Says OK I'm Kinda Scared Let's Stop
Plus: sex magic, special K, "stamping out" vapes...
The Rise of the 'Sigma Male', a New Kind of Toxic Masculinity
How memes of a fictional serial killer turned into an un-ironic personality and lifestyle.
People Are Invading Abortion Clinics and ‘Rescuing’ Women on TikTok
In recent years, the tactic of barging into clinics to try to change patients’ minds right before they get an abortion fell out of favor. But on TikTok, it’s making a comeback.
People Are Buying Houses on TikTok Now
They're not regular estate agents, they're cool estate agents.
A Viral AI-Generated Drake Song by ‘Ghostwriter’ Has Millions of Listens
"Heart on My Sleeve" is taking off on TikTok and Spotify. Is it a watershed for AI-generated music, a PR stunt, or something else?
France Is Cracking Down On Sketchy Social Media Influencers
From dodgy plastic surgery to outright fraud, a new law is promising to combat the scams plaguing platforms like TikTok and Instagram.
Arkansas Makes It Illegal For Minors to Be on Social Media Without Parental Consent
The state’s governor signed a new bill requiring social media companies to obtain a photo ID of every new user, to prevent teens from lying on the internet more.
The Woman Going Viral for Serenading While 'Stuck' Places Is Staging It for the Algorithm
Singer-songwriter Jessica Pearson is stuck in a viral loop.
He Invited Everyone on TikTok to His Birthday Party. Would Anyone Show Up?
When Omar Dhadra posted a video with the address of his 21st birthday celebrations, he didn't exactly expect to get 2.5m views.
Australia Bans TikTok On Government Devices Amid ‘Security Concerns’
Fears of data harvesting and foreign interference are prompting a growing number of Western nations to crack down on the Chinese social media app.
THIS WEEK ONLINE – Yummy Wooly Mammoth Meatball
Plus: Pig death? What's it actually like to be homeless? And more...