Community & Social Networking

How to Change Your Twitter Handle

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

By Cherise Threewitt Social Networking / Social Networks

Is Parler the Twitter Alternative for 'Free Speech'?

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 Social Networking / Social Networks

How to Deactivate or Delete Your Facebook Account

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 Social Networking / Social Networking Information

8 Free Apps to Help You Stay Connected During Coronavirus

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 Social Networking / Social Networks

Why Do Social Media Platforms Practice Shadowbanning?

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

By Nathan Chandler Social Networking / Social Networking Information

Facebook and Cambridge Analytica: What a Tangled Web They Weave

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 Social Networking / Social Networks

Online Dating Is Increasing Interracial Marriage

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

By Alia Hoyt Social Networking / Social Networks

How to Win the Privacy War With Facebook

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

By John Donovan Social Networking / Social Networks

Twitter Cracks Down on Bot Abuse

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

By Patrick J. Kiger Social Networking / Social Networks

Nextdoor and More: The Good, Bad and Ugly of Neighborhood Social Networks

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

By Dave Roos Social Networking / Social Networks

How Emojis Work

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 Social Networking / Social Networks

Should You Have to Prove You've Read an Article Before Commenting?

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 Social Networking / Social Networks

Why Most of Us May Never Get Verified on Twitter

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

By Michelle Konstantinovsky Social Networking / Social Networks

Our Online Personalities Change Across Different Social Media Platforms

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

By Chris Opfer Social Networking / Social Networks

Can the President Legally Delete a Tweet?

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 Social Networking / Social Networks

Got a Bad Case of FOMO? Get Off Social Media

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 Social Networking / Social Networks

Will This Election Season Become Known as 'The Great Unfriending'?

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 Social Networking / Social Networks

NPR Says No Comments

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 Social Networking / Social Networks

Bragging Could Be Dragging Down Your Online Dating Profile

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

By Chris Opfer Internet / Social Networking

When Live-streaming Bumps Up Against Freedom of Speech and Privacy

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 Social Networking / Social Networks

Facebook Safety Check Feature Connects People During Disasters

The social media giant activated its Safety Check feature for the first time in the U.S. on Sunday after the Orlando attack. Here's the scoop on how it works.

By John Donovan Social Networking / Social Networking Information

Retweeting Isn't Doing You Any Comprehension Favors

In an odd twist, retweeting could be negatively affecting your memory of the content, and causing comprehension declines even after your Twitter session is over.

By Kate Kershner Social Networking / Social Networks