HowStuffWorks Newsletter
Social networks cover every topic imaginable. Understanding which social networks are safe and which ones aren't is an important step.
Will Elon Musk's plans for Twitter make its misinformation problems worse, or will he implement real changes on the platform that will be for the better?
While creating online accounts, you're often given the option to sign up via your preexisting social media. But should you be worried about doing this?
By Talon Homer
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.
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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.
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.
Getting bored of your Twitter handle? You can change it in just a few quick steps.
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
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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
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
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Twitter bots seem to be with us to stay, but how do they work? And are they all bad?
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?
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?
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Trying to get verified on Twitter? It's way more random than you think.
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?
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.
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The caustic tone of the 2016 presidential race is powerfully affecting ordinary social media users. Will that destroy a lot of social media relationships?
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.
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.
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.
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After the pepper-spray incident, UC Davis paid a company to repair its online image. But can anyone make negative search results disappear?
By Dave Roos
The hugely popular streaming platform wants you to know that it isn't just for gamers.