Instagram will let users reply to DMs from feed

  • Instagram is giving users new features for sending direct messages (DMs).
  • This includes an option to reply to DMs directly from the feed without having to go into the inbox.
  • There are also new share options like the ability to send song previews and conduct polls in group chats.
  • You can read the full story on The Verge’s website.

Google adds new tools to limit spread of misinformation

  • Google is introducing a range of Google Search updates and alerts to help users understand sources of information and limit misinformation spread.
  • A new notice for evolving news stories is being added which will alert searchers if facts are still being clarified and a ‘highly cited’ label for popular news articles.
  • The features are launching soon for users in the US but are expected to expand to other regions in the coming weeks.
  • You can read the full story on Social Media Today’s website.

Facebook bug led to increased views of harmful content

  • According to an internal incident report, a bug on Facebook caused a surge of misinformation into the News Feed.
  • Instead of suppressing posts from repeat misinformation offenders, the posts were being distributed – increasing views by as much as 30%.
  • In addition to misinformation posts, systems failed to demote posts containing probable nudity, violence, and Russian state media in response to the war.
  • You can read the full story on The Verge’s website.

Warning over cannabis sweets used to recruit children into county lines

  • Police have issued a warning to parents that gangs are targeting children with cannabis sweets to recruit them into county lines drug dealing.
  • Forces in east England had almost 150 reports of sweets over a six-month period in 2021.
  • The sweets are laced with mood-altering ingredients that can cause side-effects like hallucinations and anyone in possession of these risks arrest and prosecution.
  • You can read the full story on ITV’s website.