34% of Teenagers Engage in Digital Piracy

Younger people who have grown up with the internet are apparently more prone to engaging in criminal behavior online, and they might not see a problem with various risky behaviors that people say they should avoid as well with all things having been considered and taken into account. The European Union recently funded a study to figure out the behavior patterns of teenager users who are between the ages of 16 and 19, and this shed some light onto the risky trends that are emerging.

It turns out that a quarter of all survey respondents said that they trolled someone online. With all of that having been said and now out of the way, it is important to note that one out of every three survey respondents also said that they had engaged in some form of digital piracy in the recent past. 44% also stated that they have watched pornography online, which is concerning considering that many of the respondents are under the age of 18 and therefore can’t view such content legally.

Inciting violence is a very serious offence, but in spite of the fact that this is the case around 22% of teenage users admitted to taking part in this activity. Digital tracking was rife among 27% of survey respondents, which suggests that Gen Z users care less about privacy rights than their older peers.

The country with the highest proportion of deviant online behavior within this cohort was Spain, where 75% of respondents said that they had engaged in some form of risky or illegal behavior while surfing the web. Three countries tied for second place with 72%, namely Romania, the Netherlands and Germany, which suggests that teenagers in this country might be more likely to do something illegal online than might have been the case otherwise.

• Also read: Only 29% of Brits Trust Journalists, But Trust is Still Growing

One thing that might be skewing the results is the young age of the participants because of the fact that this is the sort of thing that could potentially end up making them more prone to bad online behavior. There is a chance that their behavior will change for the better down the line, but the harm that they can do in the interim is still quite real.

That is why creating online safety legislation is so important not just for the EU but also for other countries around the world. The risk taking appetite among children can be exacerbated by the internet, and we may see many of them throwing their lives away due to mistakes they made at such a nascent developmental stage. If steps are not taken, an entire generation could find itself traumatized by the indecisiveness of adults.

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by Zia Muhammad via Digital Information World

Reddit Publishes Overview Of Users’ Performance In 2022 Through A ‘Reddit Recap’ Activation

As we get closer to the year's end, Reddit was seen launching a 2022 Reddit Recap.

This is what provides Redditors with a descriptive overview of their activity on the app that occurred in 2022. You can see it is a type of Spotify ‘Wrapped’ edition.

As explained by the platform, the recap was designed to provide users with the most entertaining means to look back at some memorable moments spent on the app.

This year, Reddit Recap has a wide array of fun as well as interesting stats which get translated as well as localized for users’ convenience.

You also get a summary of the moments spent on the platform and the types of content that other users engaged with too, not to mention the various communities that they happened to witness or view.

There are definitely some points that make you go and question the subreddits seen but all in all, it’s just a fun way to turn back time and relive some moments. Some perspectives are interesting and have caught people’s eye. And that’s where you spent time and had great communities through which you engaged the most.

To avail of the feature, simply log in and press the Narwhal icon that’s located beneath the profile, or simply click the navigation bar across the desktop to witness the unique experience which highlights your journey.

You can then witness the long series of overviews that need to be downloaded with interesting stats like various avatar outfit changes, upvoted comments, and which team you happened to be supporting the most.

Depending on all of this, you get the chance to show other communities what you’re interested in so you can expand your entire experience across the platform.

Last but not least, you get a rating of a superpower on the platform depending on how great or poor your usage was this year. It’s seen across the recent avatar on the app, near the top communities that were visited the most.

Feel free to download the card and share the fun with others that really highlights your persona in the most interesting and engaging manner.

These cards are pretty cool and they can be shared easily off this platform.

Similar to the app’s NFT offering, it looks like the firm is really aware of what it is that might allow for great interaction with the community. It can really solidify your engagement while celebrating with those that mean the most.

Other than that, we saw the platform share some interesting insights for 2022. This entailed how the app became home to more than 100,000 global active communities. Then we saw the creation of more than 430 million posts with an increase of 14% YoY. Then in November, Reddit had more than 2.5 billion comments which was a dramatic 7% rise from last year, and more than 24 billion upvotes too.

With time, the app has also noticed an increase in engagement on the platform. This is great news because, in 2020, it took a usage hit while trying to get rid of thousands of communities outlined as controversial. Now, it’s turning into a business that’s very brand-friendly.

This is obviously very integral for the app’s future as it hopes to attract more revenue through ads so as to build bigger and better opportunities.

In 2022, Reddit was also crowned as having the most viewed community through its r/amitheasshold. And that’s a simple reminder of the massive spectrum comprising various Reddit chat topics.

Read next: Here’s the Biggest Search Trends of 2022
by Dr. Hura Anwar via Digital Information World

New Report Says Meta Wished To Capitalize On Elon Musk’s Chaotic Twitter Takeover

The New York Times is not coming slow in terms of increasing the enmity between Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg.

The leading publishing agency has set out a new report that detailed how Meta wished to capitalize on the chaos-filled takeover of Twitter by the billionaire. And that meant going after the app’s bread and butter by creating a competitor that would set the stage for a serious faceoff.

It is believed that employees hailing from both of Meta’s leading apps, Instagram and Facebook conducted a virtual meeting in November where they set forward new ideas on how to create a text-based application that would end up beating out Twitter any day.

As mentioned by one employee of Meta, Twitter being in a period of crisis is an ideal situation for Meta which requires its mojo to return.

During this session where plenty of brainstorming had begun, the giant group of employees went on discussing how a standalone app based on the world of texting would be created through assistance from Instagram’s technology. There was even some discussion about how the feature could be incorporated into the app as a new feed such as Reels for Instagram or even publishing the feature onto the app’s notes, as confirmed by The New York Times.

In case you did not know, Instagram Notes is the offering that’s trending right now, which Meta began trials for during the summertime. It rolled out a range of selective users from a group. Moreover, such a component would enable users to put up short texts to their close pals or even their followers that a user follows back.

During such meetings, employees from Meta did reveal a few names that would actually suit such a Twitter competitor ordeal like Real Reels, Instant, Realtime, or more.

For now, Meta is staying hush on the matter and is not responding despite plenty of requests for comments.

This would not be the first instance where a firm owned by Mark Zuckerberg has made attempts to copy different social media apps. Instagram has really taken a head-on formula, as far as Instagram Reels is concerned. This is right after it tested and even closed down another clone of the Twitter platform called Lasso.

We even heard reports about how Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg was keen on converting the WhatsApp application into a competitor for WeChat. And in the recent past, Zuckerberg has gone as far as sharing his interest in the likes of Twitter too. Remember in 2008, Zuckerberg set out a staggering offer to purchase the leading Twitter app for a value worth $500 million but the firm did not comply and instead directly rejected the calls for it.

But we would like to take this opportunity to make you realize that Meta is not the only firm that’s keen on capitalizing on Musk’s chaos of acquiring Twitter. Other smaller tech firms like Mastodon and even Hive are tossing their bids in the ring. And then we’ve got the likes of Tumblr whose microblogging site wishes to take digs at Musk’s future plans at Twitter.

Ever since the billionaire acquired Twitter and made it private in October of this year, there has been so much uncertainty on what the future holds for this app. Just a few hours after the takeover, Musk eliminated most of the app’s employees and fired the CEO and top executives.

He then outlined a new and very hardcore working schedule for the remaining staff, not to mention the great uncertainty related to major outrages in the future because top engineers were terminated.

Read next: Twitter Introduces Some Major Changes On The App Including Lower Blue Pricing Among Others
by Dr. Hura Anwar via Digital Information World

Apple Expands iCloud Encryption While Introducing New Alert Feature To Detect Spies

Apple has introduced a new feature that will now make it so much harder for hackers to take users' iCloud data into their stronghold.

The news comes as the tech giant begins rethinking the whole process linked to gaining access to sensitive data. The leading iPhone maker mentioned how it hopes to introduce a long list of security measures that enable end-end encryption as a part of reversal to the controversial program that’s intended to highlight abusers of child offenses.

This particular launch is directed as an optional offering to attain more data through iCloud.

As it is, Apple was seen offering protection to around 14 different categories. But now, with this new feature, it’s going to offer 23 in total and that entails device backups for the likes of iCloud, images, and users’ notes.

The advanced feature for data protection is present in different parts of the US today as it’s a part of the Apple Beta Software Program. Now, Americans are going to gain access to broader forms of data by this year’s end. But other nations would be getting access during the early part of 2023.

This way, you will end up setting alternatives when such technology gets enabled. Remember, Apple is not the one who will be having the keys to save your data.

Meanwhile, two more safeguards are getting introduced that prevent the misuse of accounts and different devices. A new iMessage Contact Key Verification would assist in helping those with great threats such as the likes of those holding positions in public offices and the media sector. In this manner, users would attain automated alerts when hackers or intruders are getting close. And with such a feature, users would be able to benefit from verification codes from FaceTime and even secure calls.

It’s great to witness the tech giant really put in new security features for users that are most concerned about their privacy and peace of mind. And when you happen to be a high-profile target, such tools are of the utmost importance.

Keeping the same security feature in mind, the company mentioned how it is now going to be releasing a new iMessage alert feature that would make users aware of spies hailing from state-sponsored agencies.

The whole concept is linked to a feature that users can opt in for, especially in those cases where they happen to be facing digital threats. This can also help to curb those situations where a user assumes they are talking to someone but in reality, there’s someone else in disguise.

The company’s main target audience with such security tools are those hailing from the media sector like journalists and also those who have political affiliations.

Apple says that when such profiles enable the alert tag to be on their iMessage chats, they would receive alerts in case their conversations are being eavesdropped on.

This really sounds like a major spy business endeavor out there and it’s true because Apple has confirmed how its sensitive users are constantly being targeted by such organizations and it’s high time that it sat down and got to the bottom of such problems.

At this point, we would like to mention how it is worth noting that Apple’s iMessage is very exclusive and it continues to be an app for talking to others through an Apple device.

There have been many concerns in the past that regulators may soon force Apple to keep its iMessage open. But the tech giant can now mention how doing that would break hardcore security barriers for those users whom it deems to be super vulnerable. Let’s not forget that if a user relies on the likes of iMessage for their safety, why would they be moving on to another device?

Read next: Chrome Just Got an Address Bar Update, Here’s What’s New
by Dr. Hura Anwar via Digital Information World

Twitter To Begin Putting Tweet Metrics In Front Of Users’ Published Tweets (Updated)

In the world of Elon Musk and Twitter, it wouldn’t be wrong to say that we’ve witnessed quietness of a whole new kind.

And it’s definitely rare as Musk loves to re-assess every single move on the application. But now, it seems he is on a new mission to get more and more people to post and engage on the app.

What better way of doing something like that than by publishing metrics right in front of a user’s tweet? Sounds rather interesting to us and we do see where Musk may be going with this initiative. After all, growing interest is the call of the day and we feel this just might be a perfect way.

With time, Elon Musk has gone as far as noting that the platform’s usage is reaching new records and with the momentum of hate speech at another low, there’s no reason why the app shouldn’t be thinking of more ways to get people posting more than ever.

As it is, the revenue generated through advertising is at an all-time low and now, Musk is really trying to figure out what people are so reluctant to tweet. Remember, those who lurk around the app aren’t really providing any form of benefit, whatsoever.

As mentioned in a research study conducted last year, only 25% of Americans make up the Tween published on the app. So why is there so much reluctance in the first place?

On most occasions, Twitter users aren’t just tweeting. There is a problem as the verification strategy would never work out because if people aren’t tweeting, why would anyone in their right mind ever care about the likes of blue ticks in the first place?

So Musk is definitely on a mission to address such matters and one way is through the likes of shifting such incentives in favor of Tweet metrics. As Musk mentioned that his stats prove that most tweets are being viewed by so many people. And if Twitter can make this a point worth highlighting, it might be an addition to the world of Likes and even Retweet counts. And in the end, it’s a major booster for engagement.

Twitter will start showing view count for all tweets, just as view count is shown for all videos. The system is far more alive than it would seem.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 1, 2022

But then some critics feel the move is a risk because not all creators wish to see their content getting thousands of views and zero engagement. Since Musk’s mind functions like a magnet for attention, he might be keen on getting the stats right.

So what would something like that do? It may not end up enhancing tweet engagement but it could well make sense at providing more incentives to put up posts more frequently than usual.

Jane Manchun Wong, an app researcher, found some evidence of the "Tweet view count" feature on mobile as well on web, which shows Twitter is in the final stage of rolling out this feature.

It’s a trial and it could go either way we feel. With most critics putting the odds against Musk’s success for the Twitter app, we’re more than curious to see how his experiment goes.

Experts feel that those who worked at Twitter mentioned that most of the trials Musk are engaging in have already been done in the past. Hence, it does not make sense as to why he’s repeating it when the results have proven that people just aren’t interested anymore.

Read next: Twitter Unveils Its Plans For The Future As Elon Musk Meets Apple CEO Tim Cook
by Dr. Hura Anwar via Digital Information World

Meta Announces Creator Monetization Tools In Time For The Festive Season

Meta has added a new array of exciting monetization tools for its creator community and it’s just in time for the festive season.

The tech giant says it’s on a mission to enhance its systems for payout so as to get funds out to creators at a faster pace and also enhance the links with various apps.

For starters, the tech giant is on the search for more Stars across its break for the holidays. And that entails a range of various incentives and offerings for this program.

You’ll also see how the company is going to put forward some virtual gifts that align with the holiday theme so that the whole concept related to Star donations becomes more appealing for creators in the industry. This way, it might help them generate more volumes of revenue through such promotions.

As can be witnessed in this particular example, such bonus programs called Star Party would give creators the chance to get Stars from the company when a certain threshold is exceeded. As far as this case is concerned, that could be 10,000 stars. This would assist both the creators and the target audience in pushing harder to fulfill such targets.

It is believed that the Stars package would also be offered at a price that’s much lower over a span of the next few weeks. In this way, fans can entertain discounts of between 5 to 20%, depending on which packages they purchase. These offerings can be availed at both Stars Stores or through videos as the sale goes across various Lives, Reels, and the apps On Demand offering.

Meta says it would prefer users end up at the Stars Store while making purchases as this can assist in avoiding the 30% cut by Apple due to in-app purchases. Whichever manner you choose, we still think it’s going to be great as cheaper options for Stars is up for grabs.

Meta is on the verge of attaining some extra forms of engagement through such endeavors throughout the holiday season. It would boost awareness of the platform’s donation tools set out for creators too.

Meta says it is also trying to make it so much easier for different creators to come forward and acknowledge who it is that’s sending such Stars while providing new options for filters in the Comments Manager section too. This would display various comments that were being sent using Stars.

Creators would now be given the chance to send out replies to different Stars Comments in a single time. And while it might feel impersonal, we feel it’s super handy when you’re forced to deal with a bombardment of replies being thrown at you from all directions. Similarly, it’s great when you come to think of it from a point of view of community connections.

Meta says it is also sending themed virtual gifts for the likes of Reels on its Facebook app. This would be kickstarted with those topics that are popular, closely followed up by niches ranging from fashion, dance, and pets too.

Eligible creators may also soon receive more Stars usage for their own Reels, and that too free of cost. Meta also hopes to enable Stars through automated means on various creator content made publicly like Facebook Reels.

The goal is to help raise more awareness of the endeavor and allow people to make more funds through their content on the apps.

Then on the front of the advertisement, the company hopes to test new projects like Post Loop and Overlays for Reels, not to mention views for expansion of monetization for Reels. The goal is to provide new chances for different businesses and creators out there today.

Read next: The EU Just Restricted Meta’s Personalized Ads, Will the Company Survive?
by Dr. Hura Anwar via Digital Information World

Instagram Expands Its Account Status Update So Creators Are Aware If Their Content Is Eligible

Instagram is on a mission to provide its creators with a mean by which they can determine transparency through new updates on the dashboard for Account Status.

This would assist in indicating which content is eligible and would then be recommended through different systems. Similarly, it would provide some key points on how to fix some issues regarding this front.

As can be witnessed through such examples, Instagram plans on incorporating new elements to users’ Account Status that directly shows content that can be recommended to others on the app.

In case there is some issue, it would be the one notifying this aspect regarding anything posted through the creator’s account. In case a creator notices a yellow-colored alert across account status, you’re given the chance to click on that to figure out more.

This would put a wide array of posts on display that are going to be in violation of the app’s rules and regulations while providing an explainer in case some posts are violating the app’s policies.

Another overview of this entire mechanism was provided by the platform’s CEO Adam Mosseri who sent in a video message through the platform’s headquarters in London.

Without any doubt, this is a huge step that’s going to be showing plenty of transparency on the app’s process and put rumors to rest related to shadowbans that might be a huge help for people in search of making the most of their opportunities through such platforms. It just makes one more aware of why they can’t be eligible for things like recommendations and also go on to provide a better justification as to why their reach is dropping.

It also makes more sense when people complain about not being able to see updates so you can always double-check through this feature, making sure everything is in a place like usual.

In case things are in place, then the problem would lie simply in your own content and yes that’s another issue but at least you’ll have that personal satisfaction that nothing is technical.

As mentioned in the past, these features are entailed in Instagram’s dashboard for Account Status. It was first released in the month of October and since then, we’ve seen it rolling out to different users around the year.

The platform says users should have access to this option and that would entail a list of different indicators that highlight violations of content while making sure impacts are reached.

Any creator looking to confirm their suspicions regarding shadowbans or any form of restrictions related to reaching different violations needs to do so. The app is very straightforward in approach in this regard and gives users the insight they require to assist in rectifying such matters.

It’s actually very interesting to see where Instagram is going with this because more transparency during crucial times like today can always help creators feel more secure.

Read next: Now You Can Schedule Your Instagram Post Including Photos and Reels Right Within The App
by Dr. Hura Anwar via Digital Information World