Friday Social: Ofcom Gain Policing Powers, TikTok Tips and the #BroomChallenge Baffles
- Social Media
Our #FridaySocial is a weekly round-up of the key social media news stories from the previous seven days. Let us know your thoughts in the comments or via Twitter – @Umpf
Ofcom Gain Policing Powers over Social Media
Media watchdog Ofcom is to be given increased powers to force social media platforms to act over harmful content.
This week, the government announced that more stringent power and penalties will be given to Ofcom, in a bid to stem the increased violence, cyber-bullying and child abuse incidents occurring on social media.
Currently, platforms such as YouTube, Twitter, TikTok and Facebook have largely been self-regulated.
It is unsure yet what penalties Ofcom will be able to enforce, however the plans for increased scrutiny has been met with considerable support from the online community.
Ofcom set to be given power to police social media in UK https://t.co/WaTSPsCuMP
— BBC News (UK) (@BBCNews) February 11, 2020
WhatsApp Reaches 2 Billion Users
WhatsApp has become the third app to join the 2 billion club, joining Facebook and YouTube.
We are excited to share that WhatsApp now supports more than two billion users around the world. 1/10
— WhatsApp Inc. (@WhatsApp) February 12, 2020
The Facebook-owned messaging app now hosts over 2 billion monthly users, and announced the news this week via a blog post.
Increasing from 1.5 billion in 2017, this staggering user base falls roughly 500 million short of Facebook’s leading 2.5 billion, and largely attributes the success to its famed security and data protection.
Tearful Instagram Plea Receives Heartfelt Support
Elderly Instagram couple, Geoffrey and Pauline Walker, have received countless messages of support after posting a tearful video plea for the return of a stolen purse.
Posting to their 124,000 Instagram followers, the video showed Mrs. Walker in tears as they asked for the return of the purse, due to its dear sentimental value.
💔 Geoffrey and Pauline Walker have been inundated with messages of support after they posted this plea on Instagram when Pauline's purse was stolen in Coalville.https://t.co/2EQ9QjBlJe pic.twitter.com/X5PiJUpGk8
— BBC Radio Leicester (@BBCLeicester) February 11, 2020
The video has been shared thousands of times across social, and the couple have received countless messages of support and offers of replacement purses.
The couple have amassed a cult following on Instagram, by posting daily updates on their lives, and throwbacks to their 60+ year marriage.
Sending BIG hugs from Umpf HQ, Mr & Mrs Walker!
New ‘TikTok Tips’ Account Shares Safety Advice
TikTok has launched a new ‘TikTok Tips’ account, in a bid to promote privacy, safety and wellbeing amongst its users.
The new account uses popular TikTok influencers to share crucial messages, such as how to use the app’s safety settings, and reminders about logging off every now and then.
This comes after growing concern over protecting the platform’s young user base.
TikTok Launches New 'TikTok Tips' Account https://t.co/WTEr13iHu8
— Matt Navarra (@MattNavarra) February 12, 2020
And Finally… #BroomChallenge Baffles
Rarely a day goes by without something ridiculous, confusing and random doing the rounds on social media – and this week was no exception, thanks to a video of a broomstick…
Okay so NASA said today was the only day a broom can stand up on its own because of the gravitational pull…I didn’t believe it at first but OMG! 😭😭😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/M0HCeemyGt
— mk (@mikaiylaaaaa) February 10, 2020
The video, which has amassed over 8 million views, shows a broomstick standing up by itself – and blames a once-in-a-lifetime gravitational pull for the sorcery.
NASA have since came out to say that, surprisingly, they did not make this claim – but that still doesn’t answer much.
I’ll leave you to be the judge.