Community & Social Networking

Want to change your name on Facebook? It's easy to do in just a few simple steps.

By Jeremy Glass

"Metaverse" may be a term you're unfamiliar with, but the blend of real and virtual worlds is something we may all have to get used to.

By Nick Kelly

Section 230 is part of the Communications Decency Act that allows tech companies to moderate content on their services. U.S. lawmakers want to change the law, but disagree on how.

By Abbey Stemler

Facebook dark mode changes your screen to a black background with white lettering, which your eyes will thank you for and your battery won't hate either.

By Jesslyn Shields

It's easy to take online comments out of context. Is it serious, or is it satire? That's where Poe's law (and a winking smiling emoji) comes into play.

By Kristen Hall-Geisler

Getting bored of your Twitter handle? You can change it in just a few quick steps.

By Cherise Threewitt

Membership on the social media app Parler exploded just after the Nov. 3 general election was called for President-elect Joe Biden. But why? And how does Parler work?

By John Donovan

Whether you want to break up with Facebook for good — or just take a breather — we've got step-by-step instructions so you can do either.

By Nathan Chandler

Need ways to stay in touch with your family and friends while you're quarantined during the coronavirus pandemic? We've got several simple apps so you can reach out virtually.

By Wendy Bowman

Its very existence has been debated for years, so what is shadowbanning, and how can you avoid it?

By Nathan Chandler

Whether you love or hate Facebook, the Cambridge Analytica scandal exposed major flaws in the online platform. So where do we go from here?

By Diana Brown

Online dating apps are aiding social integration because people are interacting with others to whom they previously had no access.

By Alia Hoyt

Having a tough time breaking up with Facebook? Then at least be sure your private information is secure and protected.

By John Donovan

Twitter bots seem to be with us to stay, but how do they work? And are they all bad?

By Patrick J. Kiger

The popularity of neighborhood social networks keeps exploding. But building community comes with some unintended consequences.

By Dave Roos

Those little pics that people use to represent their feelings or avoid misunderstandings have been around since the 1990s but have been picking up steam in the 21st century. Why's that?

By Nathan Chandler

More than half of people who post comments on news articles haven't read the articles. Is the point of online article to inform, or to provide a forum for discussion?

By Patrick J. Kiger

Trying to get verified on Twitter? It's way more random than you think.

By Michelle Konstantinovsky

Do we portray a consistent self across different social media platforms? A new study examines the faces we share.

By Chris Opfer

President Trump is an avid tweeter, and not always the best speller (remember unpresidented?). Can he delete his tweets or are they now public property?

By John Perritano

Bummed out by the Internet and how much more fun everyone else seems to be having? Seeking out better times offline may ease your FOMO.

By Lauren Vogelbaum

The caustic tone of the 2016 presidential race is powerfully affecting ordinary social media users. Will that destroy a lot of social media relationships?

By Patrick J. Kiger

News organizations have been dropping their commenting sections for years, and NPR has recently joined them. But not everyone thinks ditching comments is the way to go.

By Kate Kershner

Looking for love online? Then stop tooting your own horn so much. Oh, and one other thing.

By Chris Opfer

There's a lot of live-streaming going on lately. As a result, courts may soon be busy defining when it's appropriate to record or broadcast video.

By Jonathan Strickland