The most memorable memes of 2021 explained

Remember Bernie Sanders’ mittens? Here are some of the most memorable internet memes of 2021 and a look at where they originated.

Florida teen arrested after 'just joking' about school violence amid viral TikTok posts

A 13-year-old boy in Florida was arrested after creating a social media account that referenced a school shooting, just as a TikTok school threat was going viral, claiming violence will take place Friday on campuses across the country. 

Bay Area law enforcement step-up presence at schools amid viral posts about violence Friday

Bay Area officers are joining law enforcement across the country in watching schools Friday, Dec. 17 as social media posts circulate, vaguely claiming violence will break out.

Survey shows Americans agree on social media regulation, split on what that means

Millions of us use Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and other social media to stay in touch with friends or for business, but a new study shows a majority of us believe social media is having a negative effect on America’s political climate.

TikTok-famous Koda the Fluff Dog visits St. Pete elementary school

Everyone knows TikTok has many corners, and anyone who’s been on the side with all the dogs has surely run across Koda the Fluff Dog. For anyone who hasn’t, you’re in luck. This adorable Pomeranian is a trained comfort and support dog, and she’s full of energy and delight – and very well-behaved.

It's easier to find drugs for sale on Instagram than it is to log out, accountability group finds

Using fake accounts for kids ages 13-17, it took 2 clicks for members of the Tech Transparency Project to find profiles selling drugs. It took 5 clicks for them to log out of the platform.

Senators question Instagram CEO about app's potential harm to young users

Adam Mosseri is testifying Wednesday at a Senate hearing as Facebook, whose parent now is named Meta Platforms, has been roiled by public and political outrage over the disclosures by former Facebook employee Frances Haugen.

Instagram unveils new teen safety tools ahead of congressional hearing

Instagram is rolling out new features, including one that urges teens to take breaks from the app, amid scrutiny on the Facebook-owned platform.

Nearly 1,000 Facebook, Instagram accounts deactivated over COVID-19 misinformation

In total, Meta deleted 979 accounts, groups and pages across its platforms last month, most of which were found to belong to a sprawling network from China trying to spread COVID-19 misinformation.

Florida bill would require schools to teach benefits, risks of social media

Florida schools would be required to teach students the benefits and risks of social media under a bill unanimously approved Tuesday by the Senate Education Committee.

State attorneys general investigating Instagram's effects on children, young adults

A group of state attorneys general are investigating Instagram and its effects on children and young adults, saying its parent company Facebook — recently renamed Meta Platforms — ignored research about the harms it causes to young people.

Twitter rolls out redesigned warning labels to combat misinformation

The labels, which the company has been testing since July, are an update from those Twitter used for election misinformation before and after the 2020 presidential contest.

Protesters say Facebook incites violence against Muslims

Demonstrators want Meta, aka Facebook, to remove hateful speech, identify dangerous groups, moderate posts, and invest resources in stopping violence.

Mom says TikTok laundry hack may have set her dryer on fire: 'Lucky to be alive'

Hailee Clarke from the U.K. posted a video to TikTok this month saying a fire started inside her dryer the same night she tried a popular laundry hack.

Tampa-based lifestyle influencer's top 5 tips to easily refresh your home

Refreshing your home doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive – and it might be as simple as clicking "follow" on Lifestyle with Melonie Graves.

The origin of viral 'signal for help' that saved teen from alleged abductor

A trending TikTok video is being credited for saving a missing teen in Kentucky. It is a gesture and a silent scream for help, one that people in the Tampa Bay area can also use to escape violence or abuse.

Tampa Bay's top Insta-foodie reveals 5 dishes everyone should try

The Tampa Bay area is ripe with great eats and no one knows that better than Kiera Andrews, the woman behind the popular foodie Instagram account ThisBabeEats.