Texting a random stranger reduces college students' loneliness by 9%, while chatting with AI chatbots only reduces it by 2%, a new study finds. Researchers from the University of British Columbia studied 300 students over two weeks, finding human connection more effective than AI for social wellbeing. https://www.404media.co/chatgpt-loneliness-study-college-students-random-strangers-texting/ #Media #SocialMedia #AI

X is testing new AI content alerts that will warn users before they share posts that may contain AI-generated material. The in-stream pop-ups could have a significant impact on reducing the spread of AI-generated misinformation. https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/x-formerly-twitter-tests-ai-content-alerts-in-stream/814889/ #Media #SocialMedia #AI #X

Teens are suing Elon Musk's xAI over Grok's creation of millions of fake pornographic images of minors. The lawsuit claims the AI chatbot generated sexualized deepfakes of teenagers without consent, highlighting growing concerns about AI-generated abuse material. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cgk2lzmm22eo #Media #SocialMedia #AI #xAI

The CEO of Krafton used ChatGPT to push out the head of the studio developing Subnautica 2 against the advice of his own legal team and failed miserably. A judge ordered the reinstatement of the developer. https://www.404media.co/ceo-ignores-lawyers-asks-chatgpt-how-to-void-250-million-contract-loses-terribly-in-court/ #Media #SocialMedia #AI #Krafton

Meta is reportedly considering layoffs affecting 20% of its workforce, nearly 16,000 jobs, as the company seeks to offset aggressive AI infrastructure spending. The Facebook parent employed nearly 79,000 people as of December. The report comes as many tech companies announce sweeping cuts they say are necessary as AI automates more work, though some executives have criticized this as AI-washing. https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/14/meta-reportedly-considering-layoffs-that-could-affect-20-of-the-company/ #Media #SocialMedia #AI #Meta

AI job loss research ignores how AI is destroying the internet, according to 404 Media. Studies focus on whether AI can replace tasks but miss that people use AI to create porn and spam, destroying discoverability and killing website traffic. https://www.404media.co/ai-job-loss-research-ignores-how-ai-is-utterly-destroying-the-internet/ #Media #SocialMedia #AI #404Media

Meta is ending end-to-end encryption for Instagram DMs, with users informed that the security measure will no longer be available from May 8. The company began rolling out encryption in 2022 but has now reversed course without explanation. Privacy advocates have criticized the move. https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/meta-ends-end-to-end-encryption-on-instagram/814765/ #Media #SocialMedia #DataPrivacy #Meta

Social media has transformed real estate marketing, making it cheaper and more accessible for agents while also creating new risks. Platforms like Instagram and TikTok allow property listings to reach wider audiences at lower costs, but experts warn about misinformation and privacy concerns. https://theconversation.com/social-media-has-supercharged-real-estate-marketing-and-made-it-cheaper-but-it-also-brings-risks-276155 #Media #SocialMedia #SocialCommerce #RealEstate

Can't stop endlessly scrolling? Experts share tips to help you take back control of your social media usage. Researchers offer practical advice for managing screen time and breaking addictive platform habits. https://theconversation.com/cant-stop-endlessly-scrolling-tips-to-help-you-take-back-control-278418 #Media #SocialMedia #AI #Wellbeing

YouTube has announced a new partnership with FIFA for the 2026 World Cup, enabling approved creators to access match footage, publish highlights, Shorts and behind-the-scenes content. FIFA media partners can live-stream the first 10 minutes of every match, with select full match streams available. https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/youtube-partners-with-fifa-on-exclusive-world-cup-elements/815014/ #Media #SocialMedia #ShortFormVideo #YouTube

A witness in a London court was caught receiving real-time coaching through smartglasses. When discovered, he blamed it on ChatGPT. The judge tossed out his testimony as credibility was destroyed. https://www.404media.co/witness-caught-using-smartglasses-in-court-blames-it-all-on-chatgpt/ #Media #SocialMedia #AI

Reddit has partnered with Pacvue to expand ad access on the platform, making it easier for more retailers to advertise on the app. The deal will help brands reach Reddit's growing user base through automated ad buying. https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/reddit-partners-with-pacvue-to-expand-ad-access/815020/ #Media #SocialMedia #SocialCommerce #Reddit

Patreon CEO Jack Conte called AI companies' fair use argument "bogus" at SXSW, saying they pay Disney and Warner Music but not creators whose work trains their models. https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/18/patreon-ceo-calls-ai-companies-fair-use-argument-bogus-says-creators-should-be-paid/ #Media #SocialMedia #AI #CreatorEconomy #Patreon

A mother whose son died in an online challenge is applying to the High Court for a new inquest, nearly four years after his death. Ellen Roome believes Jools Sweeney, 14, died taking part in an online challenge and has been granted permission to request his social media data. #Media #SocialMedia #SocialNews https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwyk0032wdeo

YouTube has launched a new AI-powered Reimagine option for Shorts that enables viewers to generate their own videos based on scenes from clips. The feature expands creative tools on the short-form video platform as competition intensifies. https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/youtube-launches-ai-powered-reimagine-option-for-shorts/815153/ #Media #SocialMedia #ShortFormVideo #YouTube

A baker in Essex says her sales dropped nearly 50% after her Instagram and Facebook accounts were suspended for no apparent reason after posting a photo of a cake. Kiersten George, who runs a bakery business in Wivenhoe, said she had been reduced to tears since the accounts were suddenly frozen. Meta moderation filters can be very strict, according to marketing experts. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cq57vv3w608o #Media #SocialMedia #SocialCommerce #Meta

Tinder plans to let AI scan users' camera rolls to help build dating profiles, raising fresh concerns about data privacy. The feature would analyse locally-stored photos to determine user interests and values. https://www.404media.co/tinder-plans-to-let-ai-scan-your-camera-roll/ #Media #SocialMedia #DataPrivacy #Tinder

Research into AI's impact on jobs is missing the point, according to 404 Media. Studies focus on tasks AI could theoretically replace, but ignore how AI is actually being used: generating porn and spam that destroys discoverability online. The research ignores the most important thing AI is doing: killing the human internet. https://www.404media.co/ai-job-loss-research-ignores-how-ai-is-utterly-destroying-the-internet/ #Media #SocialMedia #AI #404Media

X is adding AI-powered article summaries to its platform. Users will be able to press a button to get an AI-generated summary of key points from any long-form article posted in the app. The feature expands X's AI capabilities as competition for user attention intensifies. https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/x-formerly-twitter-adds-ai-summaries-long-form-articles/815273/ #Media #SocialMedia #AIinMedia #X

Meta has officially shut down Horizon Worlds after spending approximately 80 billion USD on its failed metaverse vision. The VR platform, once touted by Mark Zuckerberg as the future of social interaction, never gained traction with users. Analysts had long warned that the metaverse was a costly gamble that ignored what users actually wanted. The shutdown marks one of the most spectacular failures in tech history. https://www.404media.co/rip-metaverse-an-80-billion-dumpster-fire-nobody-wanted/ #Media #SocialMedia #AIinMedia #Meta