Instagram says it's safeguarding teens by limiting them to PG-13 content
Read full article: Instagram says it's safeguarding teens by limiting them to PG-13 contentMeta says teenagers on Instagram will be restricted to seeing PG-13 content by default and wonโt be able to change their settings without a parentโs permission.
Beloved Houston restaurant Kim Son to permanently close downtown location after 43 years
Read full article: Beloved Houston restaurant Kim Son to permanently close downtown location after 43 yearsBeloved Houston restaurant Kim Son has announced it will close its longtime downtown location on Jefferson Street later this month due to the I-45 expansion project.
Instagram's 'deliberate design choices' make it unsafe for teens despite Meta promises, report says
Read full article: Instagram's 'deliberate design choices' make it unsafe for teens despite Meta promises, report saysDespite years of congressional hearings, academic research, whistleblowers and testimony from parents and teenagers about the harms of Instagram, Metaโs wildly popular app has failed to protect children with its โwoefully ineffectiveโ safety measures, according to a new report from former employee and whistleblower Arturo Bejar and four nonprofit groups.
Fonda, DiCaprio, Streisand and more mourn the death of Robert Redford
Read full article: Fonda, DiCaprio, Streisand and more mourn the death of Robert RedfordHollywood figures and fans of movies mourned the death of Robert Redford, expressing affection and admiration for the Oscar-winning director, liberal activist and godfather for independent cinema.
New Banksy mural of a judge beating a protester to be removed from outside London court
Read full article: New Banksy mural of a judge beating a protester to be removed from outside London courtA new Banksy mural showing a judge beating an unarmed protester with a gavel will be removed from outside a London court.
Taylor Swift announces engagement to Travis Kelce: โYour English teacher and your gym teacher are getting marriedโ
Read full article: Taylor Swift announces engagement to Travis Kelce: โYour English teacher and your gym teacher are getting marriedโTaylor Swift has announced her engagement to Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce.
Swift start: Iga Swiatek easily wins at US Open, but she's here to talk about Taylor and Travis
Read full article: Swift start: Iga Swiatek easily wins at US Open, but she's here to talk about Taylor and TravisIga Swiatek had an easy start to her quest to win the U.S. Open and Wimbledon in the same year, needing just an hour to beat Emiliana Arango 6-1, 6-2.
Police investigate group that repainted Houstonโs โBe Someoneโ bridge over I-45
Read full article: Police investigate group that repainted Houstonโs โBe Someoneโ bridge over I-45Houston Police and Union Pacific Railroad Police obtained search warrants earlier this month for user details on two Instagram accounts that posted videos of the repainting as investigators look for evidence in the crime of graffiti.
Internetโs Pasta King, QCP, partners with JINYA Ramen Bar to present an innovative love letter to Italian, Asian cuisine
Read full article: Internetโs Pasta King, QCP, partners with JINYA Ramen Bar to present an innovative love letter to Italian, Asian cuisineFinally, lovers of Italian and Asian cuisine can enjoy a matrimonial creation created by popular food creator, QCP. If you've spent countless hours scrolling food videos on Instagram or TikTok, chances are, youโve come across his content.
Meta launches new teen safety features, removes 635,000 accounts that sexualize children
Read full article: Meta launches new teen safety features, removes 635,000 accounts that sexualize childrenInstagram parent company Meta has introduced new safety features aimed at protecting teens who use its platforms, including information about accounts that message them and an option to block and report accounts with one tap.
Social media influencer, Liver King, arrested for threatening Podcaster Joe Rogan
Read full article: Social media influencer, Liver King, arrested for threatening Podcaster Joe RoganBrian Johnson, known as "Liver King," a prominent social media influencer, has been arrested and charged with making a terroristic threat against podcast host Joe Rogan. The arrest occurred at the Four Seasons Hotel in Austin, Texas, following a police investigation into threatening videos Johnson allegedly posted on Instagram. The posts indicated Johnson's travel to Austin and included menacing statements targeting Rogan. Rogan, who confirmed having no prior interaction with Johnson, perceived the threats as credible. Johnson is currently held at the Travis County Correctional Complex on a $20,000 bond, and the case remains under active investigation by the Austin Police Department.
Former FBI director James Comey calls controversy over Instagram post "a bit of a distraction"
Read full article: Former FBI director James Comey calls controversy over Instagram post "a bit of a distraction"Former FBI director James Comey says that heโs still a bit bewildered over how a seemingly innocent Instagram shot of shells arranged in the sand led to allegations from Donald Trump among others that he was calling for the presidentโs assassination and to an interview with the Secret Service."
Meta's first quarter earnings, revenue beat Wall Street's expectations
Read full article: Meta's first quarter earnings, revenue beat Wall Street's expectationsInstagram and Facebook parent Meta Platforms Inc. posted better-than-expected results Wednesday for the first quarter thanks to strong advertising revenue on its social media platforms.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg wraps up testimony in antitrust case
Read full article: Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg wraps up testimony in antitrust caseMeta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is emphasizing that he bought Instagram and WhatsApp because he liked the companies โ not to cut competition as the Federal Trade Commission alleges in a historic antitrust trial.
Meta CEO Zuckerberg considered spinning off Instagram in 2018 over antitrust worries, email says
Read full article: Meta CEO Zuckerberg considered spinning off Instagram in 2018 over antitrust worries, email saysMeta CEO Mark Zuckerberg once considered separating Instagram from its parent company due to worries about antitrust litigation.
Meta faces historic antitrust trial that could force it to break off Instagram, WhatsApp
Read full article: Meta faces historic antitrust trial that could force it to break off Instagram, WhatsAppMeta CEO Mark Zuckerberg took the stand on Monday in a historic antitrust trial that could force the tech giant to break off Instagram and WhatsApp, startups it bought more than a decade ago that have since grown into social media powerhouses.
Meta is fined by Turkey after refusing to restrict content on Facebook and Instagram
Read full article: Meta is fined by Turkey after refusing to restrict content on Facebook and InstagramFacebook and Instagram owner Meta Platforms says it has been hit with a hefty fine for resisting Turkish government demands that it limit content.
Viral Houston attorney shares game-changing approach to communication in new book
Read full article: Viral Houston attorney shares game-changing approach to communication in new bookYou might have seen Jefferson Fisher's videos where the Beaumont native is in his vehicle sharing phrases that could be used โto handle bad apologies,โ โrespond to gaslighting,โ or โsound more confident.โ He recently got a book published!
Celebrate friendship and girl power through kids & YA books with Bookstgrammer Jasmine Washington
Read full article: Celebrate friendship and girl power through kids & YA books with Bookstgrammer Jasmine WashingtonFrom graphic novels to picture books, Bookstagrammer Jasmine Washington shares her top reads in celebration of Women's History Month.
This fitness expert opens up about her journey into motherhood and empowering women
Read full article: This fitness expert opens up about her journey into motherhood and empowering womenCatch up with Erica Hood from Hoodfit as she reveals her life as a new mother of twins to how she's celebrating Women's History Month.
Sarah Michelle Gellar, Taylor Momsen and Blake Lively mourn death of Michelle Trachtenberg
Read full article: Sarah Michelle Gellar, Taylor Momsen and Blake Lively mourn death of Michelle TrachtenbergSarah Michelle Gellar, Taylor Momsen and Blake Lively are among those paying tribute to Michelle Trachtenberg, who died Wednesday.
Looking for love this Valentine's Day? Don't fall for Instagram romance scams
Read full article: Looking for love this Valentine's Day? Don't fall for Instagram romance scamsFacebook and Instagram parent company Meta Platforms is urging users to stay vigilant about โromance scamsโ ahead of Valentineโs Day, warning of unsolicited messages through its apps and other social media platforms, as well as general text messages.
On "Farmtok," agriculture gets its moment in the spotlight. What would it mean if that disappeared?
Read full article: On "Farmtok," agriculture gets its moment in the spotlight. What would it mean if that disappeared?As the future of social media platforms such as TikTok remains unknown, a younger generation of farmers is relying on social media to connect with audiences outside agriculture.
Auto-followed Trump on Facebook? It's probably because you previously liked the POTUS account
Read full article: Auto-followed Trump on Facebook? It's probably because you previously liked the POTUS accountSome Facebook and Instagram users were surprised to find themselves automatically following the accounts of President Donald Trump or Vice President JD Vance this week after the president was inaugurated.
Content creators respond to TikTok's uncertain future in the US
Read full article: Content creators respond to TikTok's uncertain future in the USTikTok content creators who make a living promoting their businesses and personal brands on the app were afraid that they would have to find new ways to engage consumers and make money as the appโs future in the United States remained uncertain.
Houstonโs own Beyonce donating $2.5 million to help people impacted by California wildfires
Read full article: Houstonโs own Beyonce donating $2.5 million to help people impacted by California wildfiresOn Instagram, the BeyGOOD Foundation said it would be making a donation to the LA Fire Relief Fund to assist families impacted by the wildfires and ensure funds go to churches as well as other community organizations.
Beyoncรฉ donates $2.5 million to fire relief and Meghan delays show launch due to the disaster
Read full article: Beyoncรฉ donates $2.5 million to fire relief and Meghan delays show launch due to the disasterWeaker winds and intense firefighting efforts over the weekend boosted containment of fires burning in and around Los Angeles, but the effects of the blazes on the entertainment world continue.
Celebrities among those who lost homes as devastating Los Angeles fires
Read full article: Celebrities among those who lost homes as devastating Los Angeles firesWildfires that are burning in and around Los Angeles have burned the homes of several celebrities, including Billy Crystal, Mandy Moore and Paris Hilton.
โLet no one tell you God ainโt realโ: Trae Tha Truth says missing daughter has been found
Read full article: โLet no one tell you God ainโt realโ: Trae Tha Truth says missing daughter has been foundFor several months, Houston rap artist Trae Tha Truth has been looking for his missing daughter, Truth, who disappeared after her mother picked her up for a visitation and didnโt return. Fast forward to the first day of 2025, Trae says he got a call that he couldnโt believe.
Burn ban postpones off-campus bonfire ahead of return of UT-A&M rivalry
Read full article: Burn ban postpones off-campus bonfire ahead of return of UT-A&M rivalryA burn ban has forced the students of Texas A&M University to postpone their annual bonfire tradition ahead of Saturdayโs return of the Lone Star Showdown against archrival Texas.
Nicky Jam withdraws endorsement of Donald Trump over comedian's 'garbage' comment about Puerto Rico
Read full article: Nicky Jam withdraws endorsement of Donald Trump over comedian's 'garbage' comment about Puerto RicoPuerto Rican reggaeton singer Nicky Jam has withdrawn his endorsement of Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election a month after appearing at a rally for the candidate.
Tech firms remove social media accounts of a Russian drone factory after an AP investigation
Read full article: Tech firms remove social media accounts of a Russian drone factory after an AP investigationGoogle, Meta and TikTok have removed social media accounts belonging to an industrial plant in Russiaโs Tatarstan region aimed at recruiting young foreign women to make drones for Moscowโs war in Ukraine.
Former Pasadena ISD student wanted for making social media school shooting threat
Read full article: Former Pasadena ISD student wanted for making social media school shooting threatA former Pasadena ISD student is facing a felony terroristic threat charge after he allegedly threatened to shoot up Thompson Intermediate School in a post on Instagram.
Police arrest 15-year old for making social media threats against DC schools
Read full article: Police arrest 15-year old for making social media threats against DC schoolsPolice on Friday arrested a 15-year old boy on charges related to threats on social media that prompted an increased police presence at multiple schools in the nation's capital.
Instagram makes teen accounts private as pressure mounts on the app to protect children
Read full article: Instagram makes teen accounts private as pressure mounts on the app to protect childrenInstagram is introducing separate teen accounts for those under 18 as it tries to make the platform safer for children amid growing backlash against how social media affects young peopleโs lives.
How Texas parents can navigate Metaโs extra security features, oversee childrenโs social media use
Read full article: How Texas parents can navigate Metaโs extra security features, oversee childrenโs social media useMeta's new security features include the ability to see how much time their teen spends on Facebook and Messenger, set time limits and whether or not their teen can make payments on certain listed products.
CAUGHT ON CAMERA: Woman takes down purse snatchers at Houston coffee shop
Read full article: CAUGHT ON CAMERA: Woman takes down purse snatchers at Houston coffee shopSurveillance video shared by coffee shop shows the woman taking off as soon as her purse is snatched and the two thieves take off running. They didnโt run fast enough because the woman was right behind them and showed them what time it was.
The paint is dry on Banksy's animal-themed street art that appeared across London over 9 days
Read full article: The paint is dry on Banksy's animal-themed street art that appeared across London over 9 daysOn the 10th day, after creating the mountain goat, elephants, pelicans, a rhinoceros and a gorilla, among other animals, Banksy rested.
Instagram account helps solve prostitution, assault case of Nebraska woman involving Houston โself-proclaimed pimpโ
Read full article: Instagram account helps solve prostitution, assault case of Nebraska woman involving Houston โself-proclaimed pimpโLyndon Wilburn, 26, is charged with aggravated promotion of prostitution, drug possession, and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. His total bond is set at $210,000.
European Union accuses Facebook owner Meta of breaking digital rules with paid ad-free option
Read full article: European Union accuses Facebook owner Meta of breaking digital rules with paid ad-free optionEuropean Union regulators have accused social media company Meta Platforms of breaching the blocโs new digital competition rulebook by forcing Facebook and Instagram users to choose between seeing ads or paying to avoid them.
Families of Uvalde shooting victims suing gun manufacturer, Instagram, video game company
Read full article: Families of Uvalde shooting victims suing gun manufacturer, Instagram, video game companyThe lawsuit accuses Daniel Defense, the manufacturer of the shooterโs weapon, of marketing its products to young people.
Uvalde families sue Meta and Call of Duty maker on second anniversary of school attack
Read full article: Uvalde families sue Meta and Call of Duty maker on second anniversary of school attackThe families of a group of victims of the Uvalde school shooting have announced new lawsuits against Instagram parent company Meta Platforms, the maker of the video game Call of Duty and the gun company that made the assault rifle used in the shooting.
Facebook and Instagram face fresh EU digital scrutiny over child safety measures
Read full article: Facebook and Instagram face fresh EU digital scrutiny over child safety measuresThe European Union opened fresh investigations into Facebook and Instagram over suspicions that theyโre failing to protect children online, in violation of the blocโs strict digital regulations for social media platforms.
Instagram, YouTube the biggest likely winners of TikTok ban but smaller rivals could rise too
Read full article: Instagram, YouTube the biggest likely winners of TikTok ban but smaller rivals could rise tooWhile a bill to ban TikTok if it doesn't change owners has received President Joe Biden's signature, it could still be years before the popular video-sharing app is actually blocked from U.S. app stores โ if it is blocked at all.
Japan's royal family makes formal debut on Instagram as world's oldest monarchy tries to draw youth
Read full article: Japan's royal family makes formal debut on Instagram as world's oldest monarchy tries to draw youthJapanโs imperial family has made an Instagram debut with a barrage of posts, hoping to shake off their reclusive image and reach out to younger people on social media.
Yellowstone actor Forrie J. Smith kicked off Houston flight for refusing to sit next to masked passenger
Read full article: Yellowstone actor Forrie J. Smith kicked off Houston flight for refusing to sit next to masked passengerThe actor vented his frustration in the video, holding the public responsible for not echoing his anti-mask sentiments.
Cameron Diaz and Benji Madden announce birth of 'awesome' baby boy, Cardinal, in Instagram post
Read full article: Cameron Diaz and Benji Madden announce birth of 'awesome' baby boy, Cardinal, in Instagram postStar couple Cameron Diaz and Benji Madden say they are โblessed and gratefulโ to have welcomed a baby boy.
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, returns to Instagram to tease new food, cookbook, cutlery brand
Read full article: Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, returns to Instagram to tease new food, cookbook, cutlery brandMeghan, the Duchess of Sussex, has returned to Instagram to tease a new brand that records show could feature jams, household items, cookbooks and cutlery.
If Biden signs bill to ban TikTok, how will we go on? Texas small business owners, influencers may lose their livelihood
Read full article: If Biden signs bill to ban TikTok, how will we go on? Texas small business owners, influencers may lose their livelihoodPres. Biden said if Congress passes the measure, he will sign it. But what does that mean for people who make a living off the social media app?
Most teens report feeling happy or peaceful when they go without smartphones, Pew survey finds
Read full article: Most teens report feeling happy or peaceful when they go without smartphones, Pew survey findsNearly three-quarters of U.S. teens say they feel happy or peaceful when they donโt have their phones with them, according to a new report from the Pew Research Center.
State AGs send letter to Meta asking it to take 'immediate action' on user account takeovers
Read full article: State AGs send letter to Meta asking it to take 'immediate action' on user account takeoversA group of 40 state attorneys general have sent a letter to Instagram and Facebook parent company Meta expressing concern over what they say is dramatic uptick of consumer complaints about account takeovers and lockouts.
Social media outages hurt small businesses -- so it's important to have a backup plan
Read full article: Social media outages hurt small businesses -- so it's important to have a backup planThe Meta outage that affected Facebook, Messenger and Instagram for a few hours on Tuesday was an inconvenience for most.
Facebook, Instagram issues? Here are some other ways to spend your time on Tuesday morning without social media
Read full article: Facebook, Instagram issues? Here are some other ways to spend your time on Tuesday morning without social mediaSome folks say that disconnecting from social media can be a refreshing break. Some of us, aren't doing so well ๐
Facebook, Instagram, Messenger and Threads logins restored after widespread outage
Read full article: Facebook, Instagram, Messenger and Threads logins restored after widespread outageA technical issue had caused widespread login issues for more than an hour across Metaโs Facebook, Instagram, Threads and Messenger platforms on Tuesday.
Facebook, Instagram outage reported; Have you been impacted?
Read full article: Facebook, Instagram outage reported; Have you been impacted?Hundreds of social media users are left twiddling their thumbs after both social media giants, Facebook and Instagram were reportedly down Tuesday. #SocialMediaOutage #FacebookDown #InstagramDown
Bookstagrammer Jasmine Washington takes you on a trip with children and young adult books about black culture
Read full article: Bookstagrammer Jasmine Washington takes you on a trip with children and young adult books about black cultureIn honor of Black History Month, explore family heritage, music, and communities through books perfect for any age.
The European Union expands digital crackdown on toxic content, dodgy goods to all online platforms
Read full article: The European Union expands digital crackdown on toxic content, dodgy goods to all online platformsThe European Union is expanding its strict digital rulebook to almost all online platforms in the bloc.
Red, White, and Wine! Share this $11 bottle of wine with your loved one this Valentineโs Day
Read full article: Red, White, and Wine! Share this $11 bottle of wine with your loved one this Valentineโs DayAnd valentines day is next week. Whether you're celebrating with the love of your life, or with the ones who mean the most, we're highlighting some delicious wines for valentine's day. Wine and lifestyle expert, Daniela Garrido tells us exactly how to pick the perfect bottle or bundle!
Court documents underscore Meta's 'historical reluctance' to protect children on Instagram
Read full article: Court documents underscore Meta's 'historical reluctance' to protect children on InstagramNewly unredacted documents from New Mexicoโs lawsuit against Meta underscore the companyโs historical reluctance to keep children safe on its platforms.
Meta to hide posts about suicide, eating disorders from teens' Instagram and Facebook feeds
Read full article: Meta to hide posts about suicide, eating disorders from teens' Instagram and Facebook feedsMeta says it will start hiding inappropriate content from teenagersโ accounts on Instagram and Facebook.
Britney Spears shoots down album rumors, vowing to 'never return to the music industry'
Read full article: Britney Spears shoots down album rumors, vowing to 'never return to the music industry'Britney Spears is shooting down rumors of a new album, vowing to โnever return to the music industry.โ.
Ariana Grande announces new album, 'eternal sunshine,' will arrive March 8
Read full article: Ariana Grande announces new album, 'eternal sunshine,' will arrive March 8Thank you, next: Ariana Grande announced on Wednesday that her new album, titled โeternal sunshine,โ will be released on March 8.
Facebook parent sued by New Mexico alleging it has failed to shield children from predators
Read full article: Facebook parent sued by New Mexico alleging it has failed to shield children from predatorsNew Mexico's attorney general is suing the parent company of Facebook and Instagram claiming it failed to protect underage users from exposure to child sexual abuse material and let adults solicit pornographic imagery from them.
The Keith Lee effect: Hereโs where Houstonians are recommending for him to try next!
Read full article: The Keith Lee effect: Hereโs where Houstonians are recommending for him to try next!Itโs been a couple of days since the arrival of viral food critic Keith Lee, and if youโre still asking โwho is Keith Lee?โ -- then you havenโt been paying attention.
Facebook parent Meta sues the FTC claiming 'unconstitutional authority' in child privacy case
Read full article: Facebook parent Meta sues the FTC claiming 'unconstitutional authority' in child privacy caseThe parent company of Instagram and Facebook has sued the Federal Trade Commission in an attempt to stop the agency from reopening a 2020 privacy settlement with the company that would prohibit it from profiting from data it collects on users under 18.
Taylor Swift's Rio de Janeiro tour scarred by deaths, muggings, heat-related illnesses
Read full article: Taylor Swift's Rio de Janeiro tour scarred by deaths, muggings, heat-related illnessesThe deaths of two people, heat-related illnesses and other misfortunes have left legions of Taylor Swift fans angry and disappointed in the three-day Rio de Janeiro leg of the pop superstarโs Eras Tour.
Taylor Swift postpones Rio de Janeiro show, citing record heat a day after fan dies during concert
Read full article: Taylor Swift postpones Rio de Janeiro show, citing record heat a day after fan dies during concertTaylor Swift has postponed a concert in Rio de Janeiro after a 23-year-old fan died during her Friday night show.
A Meta engineer saw his own child face harassment on Instagram. Now, he's testifying before Congress
Read full article: A Meta engineer saw his own child face harassment on Instagram. Now, he's testifying before CongressOn the same day whistleblower Frances Haugen was testifying before Congress about the harms of Facebook and Instagram to children in the fall of 2021, Arturo Bรฉjar, then a contractor at the social media giant, sent an email to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg about the same topic.
Meta rolls out paid ad-free option for European Facebook and Insta users after privacy ruling
Read full article: Meta rolls out paid ad-free option for European Facebook and Insta users after privacy rulingFacebook and Instagram users in Europe are getting the option to pay for ad-free versions of the social media platforms as a way to comply with the continentโs strict data privacy rules.
States sue Meta claiming its social platforms are addictive and harm children's mental health
Read full article: States sue Meta claiming its social platforms are addictive and harm children's mental healthDozens of U.S. states, including California, New York, Arizona and Indiana are suing Meta Platforms Inc. for harming young peopleโs mental health and contributing the youth mental health crisis by knowingly designing features on Instagram and Facebook that addict children to the platforms.
States sue Meta for harming young peopleโs mental health, collecting data on children
Read full article: States sue Meta for harming young peopleโs mental health, collecting data on childrenDozens of US states, including California, New York, Arizona and Indiana are suing Meta Platforms Inc. for harming young peopleโs mental health and contributing the youth mental health crisis by knowingly designing features on Instagram and Facebook that addict children to the platforms.