Another month, and another set of social media news updates for you to enjoy, We have quite a lot to get through, so grab a coffee, get comfortable and let’s get started. Oh and don’t forget to take a good look through our other articles and familiarise yourself with our fresh new look!
Pinterest Rolls Out New Safety Tools to Protect Younger Users
Pinterest is rolling out new privacy features that are specifically designed to better protect younger users. These features include private profiles, mutual messaging restrictions, and updated controls over who can follow you in the app.
Why is this important?
The internet can be a great place for younger users to learn and explore, but it can also be a dangerous place. That’s why social media platforms need to take steps to protect their younger users. Pinterest’s new safety features are a step in the right direction.
What are the new safety features?
- Private profiles: For users under the age of 16, private profiles will be the default setting. This means that only people who have been invited can see their profile, boards, and Pins. Users over the age of 16 will still have the option to create a private profile if they prefer.
- Mutual messaging restrictions: Pinterest is also enacting new messaging restrictions for teens. Starting today, teens under the age of 18 will only be able to message people who they are following and who are also following them. This will help to prevent unwanted messages from strangers.
- Updated controls over who can follow you: Pinterest is also updating its controls over who can follow you. Users will now be able to see who has requested to follow them, and they can choose to approve or deny those requests. This will give users more control over who can see their content.
How do these safety features work?
- Private profiles: When a user creates a private profile, only people who have been invited can see their profile, boards, and Pins. This is done by sending the user a unique link to their profile.
- Mutual messaging restrictions: When a teen under the age of 18 messages someone, the recipient will only be able to see the message if they are also following the teen. This is done by checking the user’s following list to see if the recipient is included.
- Updated controls over who can follow you: When a user receives a follow request, they will now be able to see who the request is from. They can then choose to approve or deny the request.
Pinterest’s new safety features are a welcome step towards protecting younger users. These features will help to prevent unwanted messages and interactions, and they will give users more control over their privacy. Pinterest is committed to providing a safe and positive experience for all of its users, and these new safety features are a testament to that commitment.
Instagram Adds New Comment Reply Option, Tests Star Sign Stickers
In other social media news, Instagram has added new features to keep its users engaged. In the latest update, the platform has added a new comment reply option and is testing star sign stickers.
The new comment reply option allows users to share a comment in their story. To use this feature, simply swipe left on a comment and select the “Share in Story” option. The comment will then be featured in a new sticker type, which you can place anywhere within the story frame.
The star sign stickers are a new way for users to express their zodiac sign on Instagram. To use these stickers, simply search for “star sign” in the sticker tray. Once you’ve found the sticker you want to use, simply tap on it to add it to your story.
Both of these new features are currently in the testing phase, so they may not be available to everyone just yet. However, they’re a great way to interact with your followers and express your personality on Instagram.
Here are some of the benefits of using the new comment reply option:
- It allows you to share a comment quickly and easily with your followers.
- It can help you to spark conversation and engagement on your posts.
- It can be a fun way to interact with your followers and get to know them better.
If you’re looking for new ways to interact with your followers on Instagram, then we encourage you to try out the new comment reply option and star sign stickers. They’re both great ways to add value to your content and engage your audience.
X Deactivates Old Media Links Amid Changes to Back-End Elements
X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, has deactivated old media links amid changes to its back-end elements. This means that images and videos attached to tweets created before 2014 are no longer accessible through the X app or website.
The deactivation of old media links was first reported by the website TalkCMO. According to TalkCMO, the move was likely made to reduce X’s data storage costs. X has not commented on the reason for the deactivation, but the company has a history of making changes to its back-end elements to improve performance and efficiency.
The deactivation of old media links has implications for both users and brands. For users, it means that they will no longer be able to access images and videos that they posted to X before 2014. For brands, it means that any embedded tweets with images or videos from before 2014 will no longer be displayed on websites.
There are a few ways that users can still access old media links. One way is to use a third-party website or app that archives X content. Another way is to download the images or videos directly from X’s servers.
Brands that have embedded tweets with images or videos from before 2014 will need to update their websites to remove the embedded tweets. They may also want to consider re-posting the images or videos to X so that they are accessible to users.
The deactivation of old media links is a reminder that social media platforms are constantly changing. Users and brands need to be aware of these changes to ensure that their content is always accessible.
If you have any questions about the deactivation of old media links on X, please contact X support.
That’s a wrap for this month, For more insider tips, and expertise in all things social media, head over to our insights section for a huge library of content to improve your social media strategy, from those who know it best, team Giraffe.