Yashar Ali released a screen recording showcasing a late-night social media spree by President Trump, which documented hundreds of posts in a short timeframe. The video spans almost five minutes and reveals Trump’s prolific activity on Truth Social, including a post praising the platform. This level of social media engagement mirrors trends among American teens, raising questions about potential impacts, similar to those highlighted in a recent American Psychological Association report.
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In a flurry of activity, Donald Trump posted over 160 times on Truth Social within a four-hour period. The posts predominantly shared content from right-wing sources, including videos targeting political opponents and promoting MAGA-friendly material. Trump also shared a video from conspiracy theorist Alex Jones and expressed support for releasing Tina Peters. Additionally, the former president fired off angry posts of his own, including attacks on Senator Mark Kelly and a video of himself explaining his “reverse migration” concept.
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Far-right activist Laura Loomer has been granted a credential and a desk at the Pentagon, causing a stir of mixed reactions. Loomer celebrated her access to the Department of Defense headquarters, previously occupied by Washington Post reporters. Reactions ranged from sarcastic well-wishes to criticisms, with some journalists expressing concern over the implications of this change. The event triggered commentary across social media regarding the state of journalism and national security.
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The Oxford University Press has declared “rage bait” as its Word of the Year for 2025. This term describes content strategically designed to provoke anger and outrage online, a tactic that has tripled in usage in the last year. Rage bait aims to boost engagement on websites and social media platforms, much like clickbait, but with a specific focus on eliciting negative emotions. The selection highlights a shift in online manipulation, as platforms increasingly exploit and influence user emotions.
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The three runaway nuns of Kloster Goldenstein have been offered a reprieve, allowing them to remain in their former convent “until further notice.” However, this offer is contingent upon them ceasing all social media activity, which has garnered them a significant following. Church officials also require that the enclosed convent grounds be restricted to members of the order. In exchange for these conditions, the nuns will receive medical care and spiritual support.
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The European Parliament has passed a resolution advocating for a ban on social media use for children under 16, with parental consent being an exception. This non-binding resolution aims to address growing concerns about the potential mental health risks associated with unrestricted internet access for minors. The European Commission is currently evaluating Australia’s similar ban, and a panel of experts is expected to advise on the best approach to protect children online. The resolution also calls for the disabling of addictive features on internet platforms used by minors, such as infinite scrolling and excessive notifications.
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Internal documents and statements from Meta, YouTube, TikTok, and Snapchat reveal that these social media giants were aware of the addictive nature of their platforms and the potential harm to teens, yet continued to target them. According to a newly unsealed legal filing, internal communications show executives acknowledging that the platforms’ designs could be harmful to users’ mental health, with one internal message comparing Instagram to a drug and another noting minors lack the executive function to control screen time. The lawsuit, brought by several school districts and individuals, alleges that the companies prioritized profit over user safety by deliberately designing features to maximize youth engagement and advertising revenue. While the companies deny the allegations, the filing raises questions about the effectiveness of safety features and their awareness of the platforms’ negative impact.
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X’s new feature revealing user locations and account details has exposed widespread manipulation and fake accounts. Numerous accounts posing as Gazan residents, including some that solicited donations, were revealed to be operating from other countries such as Nigeria and Pakistan. Furthermore, accounts claiming to be journalists from Gaza were found to be based in locations like the United States and Turkey. The increased transparency has unveiled the extent of coordinated inauthentic activity on the platform, highlighting potential issues with political activism and misinformation campaigns.
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The European Parliament is considering a proposal to ban children under 16 from social media platforms. Citing concerning data on young people’s internet usage and potential risks, the Parliament’s Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) has drafted a resolution advocating for a harmonized digital age limit across the EU. This resolution, which will be voted on in a plenary session, also suggests applying the same age limit to video-sharing platforms and AI assistants, with the possibility of a harmonized digital age limit of 13 years. While the European Commission has been working on measures to protect minors online, it has previously resisted imposing an EU-wide digital age, leaving the decision to member states.
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In a recent social media episode, Donald Trump inadvertently amplified an anti-Trump account’s call for his impeachment while attacking Democratic lawmakers. He shared a screenshot from an account explicitly demanding his impeachment, thus undermining his own message. This gaffe occurred amidst a broader online tirade where Trump accused Democrats of “sedition” and retweeted a message suggesting they should be “hanged.” This incident follows a similar instance where he incorrectly referenced a Fox News appearance, further fueling concerns about his ability to stay on message.
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John Q. Hosedrinker