AI Age Detectors, Diddy Jokes, and a YouTube Kids Warning

Trends and memes spread faster than ever today, often blurring the lines between entertainment and controversy. From disturbing content slipping through YouTube Kids filters, to the rise of Diddy memes among teens, parents face many online challenges.

Here’s what you need to know this week to stay up to date on tech news.

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X’s Block Update Sparks Privacy Concerns

X’s new block update allows blocked users to view public posts and follower lists, sparking criticism over privacy and safety risks. 

The company argues the change promotes transparency, claiming blocks can be used to hide harmful information about someone. 

Critics say the reasoning is weak, given users can already control visibility by making accounts private.

X updates block feature, letting blocked users see your public posts | Tech Crunch

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Meta’s AI Age Detector

Meta is planning to use AI to identify underage users and place them in stricter privacy settings. 

A new “adult classifier” tool will scan profile data and interactions to detect age discrepancies. Teens identified as under 18 will be automatically moved into new, more restricted accounts.

This update follows ongoing criticism and lawsuits accusing Meta of failing to protect young users and contributing to a mental health crisis among teens.

Instagram Plans to Use AI to Catch Teens Lying About Age | Bloomberg

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Viral Video Exposes Disturbing Content on YouTube Kids

A mother’s TikTok video went viral after she shared concerns about disturbing content on YouTube Kids. Her son encountered a cartoon encouraging him to “run and jump in front of cars.”

While YouTube claims to vet its content, some parents warn that inappropriate shows slip through the cracks, urging more oversight.

‘I knew YouTube Kids was bad’: Mom issues warning after child reveals something disturbing about YouTube show | Daily Dot

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OpenAI Enters the Search Wars

OpenAI’s ChatGPT now includes a real-time search feature, letting users find current information across the internet with responses backed by source links. 

This new tool positions ChatGPT to compete with search giants like Google, enhancing web search with follow-up questions, summaries, and plans for shopping and travel upgrades.

OpenAI Adds Search Engine to ChatGPT, Challenging Google | The Wall Street Journal 

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Diddy Memes Take Over Teen Culture

Following his September arrest, Sean Combs (also known as Diddy) has become a viral meme sensation among teenagers on platforms like TikTok and Roblox. 

From “Diddy Party” games to classroom jokes, teens are using his name as shorthand for dark humor. 

However, the rising popularity of these memes has sparked backlash as new, disturbing allegations emerge.

Kids Didn’t Know Who Diddy Was — But They Turned Him Into a Meme | Rolling Stone

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Cybersecurity: Secure These Three Accounts 

Experts suggest strengthening online security by securing three key accounts: bank, email, and phone.

Passwords should be strong, unique, and two-factor authentication enabled when possible. 

For bank accounts, using biometrics like face or fingerprint recognition can provide an effective defense against cyber risks. 

Emails in particular should be safeguarded to block hackers from accessing other accounts. 

Phones can be secured with a PIN to stop unauthorized access. 

Beef Up Your Password Security on Three Key Accounts | The Wall Street Journal

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Other Headlines

• Why you’re more likely to solve your problems on a therapist’s sofa than on social media | CNN

• Why parents are loving the viral nostalgic Christmas videos on TikTok | Today

• I Took a ‘Decision Holiday’ and Put A.I. in Charge of My Life | The New York Times

• Threads now has 275M monthly active users | Tech Crunch

• Hey, Chat | Slate

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Did we miss anything?

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