Is Instagram Replacing Twitter? The Data Says Yes

Instagram has been an absolutely behemoth of the social media industry for years now, and Twitter has slowly but surely seen its influence slip away from its grasp. Recent actions taken by Elon Musk after acquiring the company led to the mass exodus of countless users, and it turns out that Instagram is benefiting greatly from this trend.

Twitter saw a 7.9% year over year decline in its Android audience back in April, and with all of that having been said and now out of the way, it is important to note that Instagram’s numbers stayed relatively stable. This is widening the gap between the two social media platforms, and if the distance becomes greater it will be more difficult for Twitter to stay in the game than might have been the case otherwise.

If we take the data from April alone, Instagram had about 889 million monthly active users for its Android app. The numbers for Twitter were a meager 213 million. This just goes to show that Instagram is already four times the size of Twitter in terms of its app’s user base, but the platforms see relatively similar success rates on web browsers.

Both Instagram as well as Twitter received around six billion visits apiece on web, but Twitter was in the lead not too long ago. As Twitter’s site visits drop, Instagram might surpass the platform in the one metric where it seemed to be doing well.

Twitter’s web traffic saw a 4.5% decline in 2023 so far, while its app saw 6.5% fewer users. Instagram, on the other hand, only saw a 2.15% dip in web traffic and a 1.9% decrease in users who have downloaded the app.

Mastodon is also throwing its hat into the ring, seeing a massive 1,700% growth rate year over year back in November. While its current growth rate for April sits at just 166%, this still shows that people are exiting Twitter in favor of other platforms, and this could mean the end of Elon Musk’s experiment and the rise of many other sites and apps that would take its place in the future.

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by Zia Muhammad via Digital Information World

Tesla Now Has the Second Worst Reputation Among US Car Brands

There was a time when Tesla was considered the future of the entire automotive industry, but in spite of the fact that this is the case, it seems like CEO Elon Musk has blown his head start. According to a recent survey that polled consumers about which brands they trust, Tesla seen an astonishing fall from grace. A year ago, Tesla was the twelfth most reputable brand, but it has now fallen a whopping 50 places to number 62.

With all of that having been said and now out of the way, it is important to note that only Chrysler received a lower ranking than Tesla among US based car manufacturers and brands. Volkswagen came in at number 56, General Motors in 34th place, Ford at 32nd, BMW at 24th and Subaru at number 16. Japanese car makers Honda and Toyota got to thirteenth place and sixth place respectively. Ford managed to improve its ranking by nine places, which just goes to show that Tesla only has itself to blame.

The negative attention that Musk generated after acquiring Twitter has clearly made consumers trust him less than might have been the case otherwise. Twitter has fallen to 97th place on the list as well.

One thing to note here is that Musk might be at the heart of the problem with all things having been considered and taken into account. Tesla continues to get great scores in innovation and services metrics, but its trust and character scores, previously in the excellent category, have now been downgraded to fair.

This seems to suggest that the CEO’s antics are rubbing consumers the wrong way, and it will be essential for Tesla to recover some of its lost favor among customers. Tesla’s recent decision to cut car prices has also been controversial because of the fact that this is the sort of thing that could potentially end up making older customers feel like they have been cheated. All in all, Musk’s companies appear to be in a precarious position, and it will be interesting to see how he manages to restore them to their former glory.

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by Zia Muhammad via Digital Information World

Survey Finds Majority of Parents Concerned About Negative Impact of Social Media Image Editing Apps and Filters on Children’s Body Image

With the young generation getting addicted to social media platforms, parents are worried about the negative impact it can have on their children as new filters and trends related to looks keep showing up. To highlight the concern, an online survey was conducted by the On Our Sleeves Movement, an organisation dedicated to the mental health of children.

The results showed that sixty-nine percent of the parents whose kids were not above eighteen years old believed that these platforms could have a bad influence on one’s body image. Furthermore, sixty-five percent of them agreed that such body trends can have a strong negative influence on the body image of their kids.

The organisation encouraged caretakers, guardians, and parents to check up on their children and discuss with them why body positivity is important. Doctor Erin McTiernan, a paediatric psychologist and part of the research organisation, said that parents can have brief sessions with their children aimed at boosting their self-esteem. According to the doctor, questions include asking about the things children like about themselves. She added that children should be monitored by their parents over the content they come across on social sites.

According to Dr. Erin, body image can influence mental health. Social sites can put children under bad influence, which may change their perspective on beauty. Since these young users are exposed to a lot of content that usually highlights the dos and don’ts of how to look, having such discussions with their kids is not an easy task for parents. In order to help these parents, the organisation suggested that they should not label the food but instead focus more on healthy and nourishing foods.

The study was based on the data collected from over 2000 participants. More than 700 participants were parents of children under the age of 18. Once the survey was conducted, the results were shared with Nationwide Children’s Hospital to involve paediatric psychologists in the study. The hospital is also known for forming the organisation behind the survey. Since 2018, more than six million individuals have already reached out to the organisation to understand the mental health of children.

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by Arooj Ahmed via Digital Information World

Microsoft Edge is Elevating User Experience by Embracing Copilot and ChatGPT Extensions

Microsoft's flagship browser, Edge, took center stage at the reputable Microsoft Build developer conference, garnering significant attention and becoming the focal point of the event. Excitingly, Edge is poised to accept a multitude of new and innovative functionalities, solidifying its standing as a cutting-edge browsing forum.

The highly anticipated Microsoft Build developer conference is in full swing, showcasing a wide range of groundbreaking innovations. Among the star attractions is the Microsoft Edge web browser, which is receiving extraordinary emphasis at the occasion. Notably, Edge is experiencing an entire redesign, attended by a host of business-centric functionalities that are to intrigue users. One such great expansion is the introduction of the hard Microsoft 365 Artificial Intelligence Copilot, seamlessly blended within the sidebar, assigning users to breeze through work-related tasks with unparalleled efficiency. What's more, this creative feature will even incorporate a Chat GPT extension, revolutionizing the way users interact with the browser and further enhancing productivity.

Microsoft has gone the extra mile by introducing a specialized work environment within Edge, aptly named Microsoft Edge for Business. This innovative feature aims to effectively segregate work-related browsing from personal web activities, ensuring a seamless and organized experience. Additionally, software developers and IT administrators have much to rejoice about, as Edge brings forth an array of new functionalities tailored to their needs.

Notably, Progressive Website Applications now find their home in the sidebar, providing convenient access for users. Moreover, JS capabilities receive a significant boost with V8 advancement, enhancing the performance of JavaScript functions. For those who may have missed the conference, worry not, as we've got you covered with all the essential highlights.

During the Build 2023 occasion, Microsoft took the opportunity to revisit the redesign of Edge, which had formerly been undergoing testing in the Microsoft Edge Canary channel. This particular feature holds great significance for everyday users and consumers alike. The browser's aesthetics now align with the sleek design of Windows 11, incorporating the same elements. Additionally, Microsoft has made user account management more convenient by relocating the profile icon to the left side of the screen, allowing for effortless account switching. Under the hood, a robust container system has been implemented, facilitating seamless multitasking for enhanced productivity.

Furthermore, to the noteworthy redesign, Microsoft has unveiled its plans to merge Microsoft 365 Copilot into Edge, expanding its reach beyond Teams, Microsoft365.com, and Bing. This exciting addition is specifically designed to cater to business users, making it a valuable asset for those who rely on Edge in their workplace. Housed within the browser's sidebar, Microsoft 365 Copilot leverages data from various Microsoft 365 sources, such as emails, calendars, and documents, providing a chat-based interface to help with work-related tasks. From generating status updates to offering concise document summaries, the Copilot streamlines productivity. Moreover, the support for plugins, including Chat GPT, Bing, and Teams, further enhances its versatility, while developers have the opportunity to create their own extensions for an even more tailored experience.

Edge's AI-driven updates encompass the integration of Microsoft Search, bringing contextually relevant files and SharePoint sites to the forefront in the Edge bar. The Find on Page feature receives a boost with Smart Find, rectifying errors when searching within a page's context. Additionally, text prediction functionality enhances writing speed for an optimized user experience. These smaller yet impactful AI enhancements further solidify Edge's commitment to productivity and user satisfaction.

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by Arooj Ahmed via Digital Information World

Social Media is a Serious Risk to Children’s Mental Health According to US Surgeon General

The general consensus on the use of social media by children is that it can have a harmful impact on their mental health, but in spite of the fact that this is the case, calls to action have only started being made recently. The latest condemnation of social media and the impact it has on minors came from the US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, who said that it simply can’t be considered safe.

More specifically, Murthy called for more research to be done on social media because of the fact that this is the sort of thing that could potentially end up revealing how it affects children. Around 95% of kids between the ages of thirteen and seventeen currently use social media in the US, and 40% reportedly use it on a constant basis.

There are certain rules that restrict young kids from setting up accounts on these platforms, but in spite of the fact that this is the case, many children are able to circumvent them quite easily. With all of that having been said and now out of the way, it is important to note that 40% of children between the ages of eight and twelve reportedly use social media, so these rules are clearly not having the desired effect.

The rise in social media use among children has coincided with a 30% uptick in adolescents and children who are experiencing some form of depression or anxiety. Social media is clearly making it harder for children to adopt a positive mindset than might have been the case otherwise, and the Surgeon General’s 25 page advisory comments on much of this.

Facebook has already been exposed by a whistleblower for actively targeting children under 13, despite them being unable to use the platform based on its own rules. This seems to suggest that Facebook and other platforms like it are not serious about keeping children away, but rather they only put these rules in place as stopgap measures. The eager targeting of young children is an obvious indication that Facebook is willing to let kids circumvent minimum age rules for accounts.

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by Zia Muhammad via Digital Information World

Google Promotes Credible Reporting: Highlighting 'Topic Authority' for News Searches

In an effort to enhance the search experience for users seeking credible news information, Google is shedding some light on its search system known as "topic authority." The primary objective of this system is to boost the prominence of relevant and authoritative content within both Google Search and Google News. By concentrating on specialized areas like health, politics, and finance, Google intends to furnish users with reliable and expert sources for their news-related searches.

The unveiling of the topic authority system garnered considerable attention, prompting Google's Search Liaison, Danny Sullivan, to clarify that the system is not entirely new, but rather an existing ranking system that Google is now shedding light on. Sullivan emphasized that the announcement was part of Google's ongoing commitment to transparency in explaining how its ranking algorithms function.

Providing further details on the functionality of the topic authority system, Google highlighted a range of essential factors that it takes into account when evaluating a publication's proficiency in a particular domain. These factors encompass an assessment of the source's prominence within a given topic or location, an examination of the originality and impact of the publication's reporting through the analysis of links and citations, and a thorough consideration of the source's overall reputation, which includes recommendations from credible entities. By scrutinizing these elements, Google aims to ascertain the level of expertise and reliability associated with each publication in order to present users with the most relevant and trustworthy content.

To illustrate the effectiveness of the topic authority system, Google offered a practical example. Imagine a situation where a specific area experiences a flood. In such a case, the system would give priority to content from local publications known for their consistent coverage of topics related to that location. This approach guarantees that reliable local sources, despite the presence of national media outlets reporting on the event, are prominently featured in the search results.

The practical value of the topic authority system lies in its capability to highlight content from news teams that engage in original reporting and have in-depth knowledge of specific subjects or locations. As a result, local news publications are poised to gain enhanced visibility for queries pertaining to their respective regions. Likewise, publishers who specialize in specific domains can anticipate their content being prominently featured in relevant searches within their areas of expertise.

Google emphasized that publishers need not make significant changes to their current practices to optimize for topic authority. The company advised publishers to continue delivering exceptional coverage in their areas of expertise, as they have been doing. By consistently providing high-quality, insightful content, publishers stand to gain increased visibility and drive more traffic from both Google Search and Google News.

This latest development underscores Google's commitment to rewarding publishers that produce valuable content while aligning with the company's broader mission of delivering reliable and helpful information to users worldwide.

As the topic authority system is implemented, publishers can anticipate improved visibility for their content, leading to increased traffic and engagement on Google Search and Google News. By highlighting trustworthy sources, Google aims to enhance the search experience for users, ensuring they can access accurate and authoritative news content.

Google's topic authority system marks a significant step forward in surfacing reliable news information and empowering users to make informed decisions. The system's focus on promoting expert sources underscores Google's dedication to curating high-quality news content and providing users with the most relevant and trustworthy information available.

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by Ayesha Hasnain via Digital Information World

New Report Reveals Top Security Threats for 2023

Cyberattacks have been a pain for regular internet users since the inception of the world wide web, but in spite of the fact that this is the case, not all that much headway has been made in terms of mitigating them. Whenever an advancement makes cyber threats less of an issue, malicious actors are able to take things up a notch to circumvent the new security protocols and make their own attacks more dangerous than might have been the case otherwise.

With all of that having been said and now out of the way, it is important to note that 74% of cybersecurity experts admitted that their organizations had been breached in the past year. A report released by Forrester dives a bit deeper into this trend, and its findings are concerning to say the least.

Out of the security experts whose organizations were compromised, 24% said that their security protocols had been breached twice, and a further 24% stated that this had happened between 3-5 times. Only 14% said that just a single attack occurred, with 9% mentioning six to ten breaches, 2% citing 11-25 cyberattacks and 1% having faced more than two breaches a month or twenty five in total to be precise.

A major hurdle for cybersecurity experts is the growing complexity of cloud computing. 75% of organizations are worried about the security of their cloud stored data, and it is estimated that around 66% of application software spending will go towards cloud storage by 2025.

This is up from the 58% that can be seen in 2023, and it suggests that cloud security will become far more essential over the next few years. In light of these threats, 83% of organizations are adopting private cloud hosting. 83% are also using internal private clouds, with 84% using public cloud access.

A major consideration for cybersecurity experts this year will be rising geopolitical tensions around the world. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine involved an endless series of cyberattacks because of the fact that this is the sort of thing that could potentially end up destabilizing the nation while it was being invaded.

Similarly, North Korea stole over $741 million worth of cryptocurrency from Japan, which reveals the potential financial destabilization that can occur in the aftermath of these attacks. Private companies will continue to face attacks from geopolitical rivals to their host nations, and that makes cybersecurity a prime concern for anyone that is operating within a country that has strong rivalries with other nations.

Ransomware is a popular choice for these international bad actors. Between 2016 and 2021, the number of ransomware attacks doubled with all things having been considered and taken into account. This tactic also gets used to disrupt supply chains since the high stakes can allow malicious actors to extract sizable ransoms.

Out of all the insurance claims that were noted, BEC social engineering tended to incur the most losses for businesses. Around $2.4 billion was lost to these attacks in 2021, and in 2022, these attacks surpassed even ransomware in terms of the losses that they could force businesses to endure. The threat landscape is ever changing, and businesses need to stay on their toes to keep up with them and keep them at bay.

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by Zia Muhammad via Digital Information World