Whitmer apologizes after Catholics say Doritos video mocked Communion

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer apologized for putting a chip on the extended tongue of an influencer in a video that a Catholic organization called a mockery of Communion.

By Jonathan EdwardsOctober 14, 2024

YouTuber MrBeast, Amazon sued by show contestants for alleged abuses

The lawsuit alleges sexual harassment and injury on the set of the Amazon Prime reality competition show “Beast Games,” based on the internet star’s videos.

By Kelly Kasulis ChoSeptember 18, 2024

‘The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives’ and the swinging sex scandal, explained

The new Hulu series “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” follows eight Mormon influencers as they navigate the aftermath of a sex scandal that rocked their #MomTok group.

By María Luisa PaúlSeptember 7, 2024

A trans influencer has reclaimed ‘demure,’ and people can’t get enough

Here’s why people are suddenly “very demure, very mindful” online.

By Amber FergusonAugust 13, 2024

A TikToker made sunscreen from scratch. We tried her recipe.

Nara Smith has repeatedly gone viral for her homemade creations, but dermatologists say you should stick with FDA-approved sunscreen.

By Maham Javaid and Amber FergusonJuly 2, 2024

Could an all-inclusive cost the same as rent? He tried it.

A Seattle man tested the theory that living at a Mexico resort would be comparable to a month of expenses at home.

By Chris DongJune 19, 2024

TikTok creators experiment with Substack

As it tries to move beyond text-based newsletters and into video, Substack has picked 10 influencers who will get additional support from the company.

By Taylor LorenzJune 11, 2024

Twitch draws pro-Palestinian influencers as rival sites back off politics

Politics on Twitch is thriving as other social media sites try to discourage political posts.

By Taylor LorenzMay 31, 2024

Kabosu, side-eyeing Shiba Inu who inspired the ‘doge’ meme, dies at 18

Rescued from a dog shelter, Kabosu was an enduring meme of the 2010s, her skeptical glance inspiring a new type of online lingo and a cryptocurrency.

By Kim BellwareMay 24, 2024

Why everyone’s mad at Apple’s new iPad ad

Apple’s commercial for the new iPad Pro seems to celebrate the destruction of analog art.

By Will OremusMay 8, 2024

Substack courts TikTokers with new ‘creators’ program

Substack is the latest app seeking to cleave off some of TikTok’s user base as the app faces a possible ban in the United States.

By Taylor LorenzMay 7, 2024

TikTok files court challenge to U.S. law that could lead to ban

The filing ignites a high-stakes court battle in Washington that could prove to be an existential fight for one of the world’s most popular apps.

By Drew HarwellMay 7, 2024

A TikTok ban could also end short-form video as we’ve come to know it

ByteDance’s CapCut editing app has become the standard for short-form video. Legislation that could lead to a ban of TikTok could also apply to CapCut.

By Taylor LorenzApril 29, 2024

TikTok is obsessed with ... premium-grade industrial glycine from China?

The earnest ads from the Donghua Jinlong factory have unexpectedly spawned memes and parodies, embodying Gen Z’s surreal sense of humor. The company is “baffled.”

By Leo Sands and Lyric LiApril 16, 2024

The ‘Beastification of YouTube’ may be coming to an end

“Retention editing,” a video style featuring bangs and flashes, may have peaked.

By Taylor LorenzMarch 30, 2024

MrBeast strikes Amazon deal for biggest competition series in TV history

The deal, worth possibly $100 million, will be the latest attempt by an internet creator to move to more traditional forms of entertainment.

By Taylor LorenzMarch 18, 2024

The TikTok debate featured many disputed claims. Here are 7 of them.

Wednesday’s TikTok debate in the House of Representatives featured a number of claims for which there is little public evidence.

By Taylor LorenzMarch 16, 2024

The word ‘viral’ has lost its meaning

10 years ago, a million views qualified as viral. Now, not so much.

By Taylor LorenzMarch 9, 2024

Cookie Monster’s ‘shrinkflation’ woes get White House response

The beloved “Sesame Street” character griped on social media that his cookies were getting smaller. “Me hate shrinkflation,” he said. Some politicians agreed.

By Kelsey AblesMarch 5, 2024

Group behind 177-year-old sourdough starter inundated after viral TikTok

Requests for Carl Griffith’s 1847 Oregon Trail Sourdough Starter kits skyrocketed after a video about them went viral on TikTok.

By Kyle MelnickFebruary 28, 2024