New research shows a tiny 13-word Reddit comment can manipulate AI search tools like ChatGPT and Google AI. Cornell University researchers found brands can easily poison AI outputs by seeding user-generated content. Nearly half of AI queries cite Reddit. https://www.404media.co/it-is-trivially-easy-to-use-reddit-to-manipulate-ai-search-research-suggests/ #Media #SocialMedia #AI

Judge allows Blacked.com to sue Meta for scraping its porn videos to train AI. Meta tried to blame rogue employees but court found evidence of coordinated corporate data collection. https://www.404media.co/judge-rules-blacked-com-can-sue-meta-for-scraping-its-porn/ #Media #SocialMedia #AI

Younger Australians are increasingly getting news via social media, with 71% of under-25s accessing news on platforms like TikTok. Only 27% pay for traditional news but they drive Australia's highest rate of paying for digital-only news. Influencers as news sources has reached 70% among 18-24 year-olds. https://theconversation.com/how-younger-australians-are-reshaping-the-future-of-news-284184 #Media #SocialMedia #SocialNews

Bramblefort Demo Blends Soulslike Design with Survival Horror. A new VR demo now on Steam Next Fest combines gruesome survival horror with intricate soulslike level design. The demo offers an encouraging glimpse into a full release blending two ambitious genres in virtual reality. #VRGaming https://www.uploadvr.com/bramblefort-demo-hands-on-a-clever-mix-of-soulslike-survival-horror/

Bramblefort Demo Blends Soulslike Design with Survival Horror. A new VR demo now on Steam Next Fest combines gruesome survival horror with intricate soulslike level design. The demo offers an encouraging glimpse into a full release blending two ambitious genres in virtual reality. #VRGaming https://www.uploadvr.com/bramblefort-demo-hands-on-a-clever-mix-of-soulslike-survival-horror/

Social media has overtaken TV and news websites as the leading source of news, according to the 2026 Digital News Report. TikTok and Instagram continue to gain influence as news platforms. https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/social-media-is-the-leading-source-of-news-per-reuters/823110/ #Media #SocialMedia #News

The 2026 #DigitalNews Report from RISJ reveals a decline in news site usage, with #socialmedia and #videonetworks becoming the primary news sources for many, especially younger audiences. While news creators are gaining traction, they are not replacing traditional news media but rather supplementing it. Additionally, the report highlights the resurgence of Facebook as a news source and the growing popularity of chatbots for news consumption. https://www.niemanlab.org/2026/06/news-sites-are-the-new-newspapers-people-are-abandoning-them-for-social-media/?eicker.media #media #socialmedia

Research from Canada identifies risky design features in AI chatbots for young people, arguing policies must address age-specific harms before adopting genAI in schools. https://theconversation.com/a-safe-ai-strategy-for-canadian-youth-should-include-age-associated-risks-284997 #Media #SocialMedia #AI

#Mastodon, the #opensocial network, is introducing #emailnewsletters in its latest release to help creators build audiences and reduce dependence on Big Tech. This feature allows creators to send posts directly to subscribers’ inboxes, even if they don’t have a Mastodon account. While the feature is currently aimed at institutional users, it could potentially expand Mastodon’s user base beyond its current 735,000 monthly active users. https://techcrunch.com/2026/06/17/mastodon-looks-to-newsletters-to-help-revive-the-open-social-web/?eicker.media #media #socialmedia

Social media platforms are handing over algorithm control to users. Threads, Instagram and TikTok now let you train your own feed with AI, telling apps what topics you want to see more or less of. The shift moves feeds from one-size-fits-all TV towards customisable streaming services. https://techcrunch.com/2026/06/17/social-medias-next-evolution-user-controlled-algorithms/ #Media #SocialMedia #ShortFormVideo

Social media platforms are handing over algorithm control to users. Threads, Instagram and TikTok now let you train your own feed with AI, telling apps what topics you want to see more or less of. The shift moves feeds from one-size-fits-all TV towards customisable streaming services. https://techcrunch.com/2026/06/17/social-medias-next-evolution-user-controlled-algorithms/ #Media #SocialMedia #AI

The 5 simple tweaks to make social media less addictive. Researchers suggest removing like counts, turning off autoplay, limiting infinite scroll, hiding follower numbers and introducing regular phoning it in breaks. https://theconversation.com/the-5-simple-tweaks-to-make-social-media-less-addictive-280812 #Media #DataPrivacy

The UK is imposing a ban on social media for under-16s. The BBC asked Americans if the US should follow suit. Reactions varied, with many teenagers questioning whether a ban would work. https://www.bbc.com/news/videos/c5yzgxd428qo #Media #SocialMedia #SocialNews

A Microsoft AI researcher built a neural network inside Age of Empires II using goats to prove a point: if we claim AI is sentient, we must also claim video games are conscious. The study argues we anthropomorphise too readily. https://www.404media.co/if-ai-is-sentient-then-so-is-age-of-empires-ii/ #Media #SocialMedia #AI

The #opensocialweb #movement is a #socialmovement, not just a technical one. To succeed, it must #collaborate across divides, pooling resources and coordinating efforts to strengthen the ecosystem and reinforce its core values of #interoperability, #userautonomy, and #freedomofchoice. The European Commission’s #TechnicalSovereigntyPackage and #OpenSourceStrategy signals #Europe’s understanding and support for the #opensocial #web. https://blog.joinmastodon.org/2026/06/why-the-social-web-must-work-together/?eicker.media #media #socialmedia

Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani is weaving AI into his telecom empire. Reliance Jio's 500 million users will get AI-powered call screening, app recommendations and home automation built into the network. The move positions Jio as a leader in embedding AI directly into telecom infrastructure.https://techcrunch.com/2026/06/19/billionaire-ambani-wants-ai-in-every-call-app-and-home/ #Media #SocialMedia #AI

Former data protection commissioner Emma Martins says Channel Islands should understand risks to local children before adopting the UK's under-16s social media ban. The islands are considering their own approach to the ban announced last week. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx23j8w9g6wo #Media #SocialMedia #SocialNews

In the Weights measures how well AI models remember you without web search. It queries ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini and others with your name, assigning a strength score. Leaderboard: Macaulay Culkin at 988, followed by Luciano Pavarotti. The creators left OpenAI after realising Google vanity searches are the wrong objective in 2026. https://techcrunch.com/2026/06/20/in-the-weights-is-your-new-ai-centric-vanity-search/ #Media #SocialMedia #AI

The UK government's social media ban for under-16s could herald the biggest change in how everyone accesses the internet. Millions may need to share official ID with their date of birth. The ban goes beyond getting kids offline - it's a profound reshaping of online access. YouTube is where teenagers learn, and this could change that entirely. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1jy512r19ro #Media #SocialMedia

Some teenagers fear they will become disconnected from their friends as the UK ban on social media for under-16s comes into force. Teens say they are unsure what they will do without social media. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cqj148lrwjdo #Media #SocialMedia #SocialNews