Social Networking
The Creepy TikTok Algorithm Doesn’t Know You
The uncanny, addictive AI has turned math into a mystical force—and flattened humanity into a series of codes.
How to Delete Your Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok
Breaking up is hard to do, especially when it's with one of those oh-so-clingy social networks. Harder yet when there's a deactivation period.
How to Use Discord: A Beginner’s Guide
Confused by the buzzy social platform? Here’s everything you need to know.
The Best Discord Bots for Your Server
From bots that welcome new users to ones that keep spammers out, these tools help make your corner of the internet a fun, safe place to hang out.
I Used Facebook Without the Algorithm, and You Can Too
Making your News Feed chronological is an enlightening look at what's really happening on the platform.
How a Playlist Keeps My Family Connected to My Late Father
I never knew how well music could unite everyone, from older relatives to my 7-year-old son—until we built a collaborative playlist together.
How to Build Your Online Support System
Whether you need mental health resources or just new friends, these tips can help you find your people.
Social Media Algorithms Are Controlling How I Grieve
What happens to a loved one's account after they pass—and how does their digital afterlife affect the ones who survive them?
How to Turn Online Friends Into IRL Ones
If you're struggling to make new friends, you're not alone. But tech and little tenacity can help you can find—or build—community. Here's how.
So You Got a Clubhouse Invite. Here’s How to Get Started
How do you find your favorite topics? How do you start your own room? Here’s how to navigate the audio-only social network.
Clubhouse Cured My Imposter Syndrome
The scammers turned savants and the whimsical nerds who abound on the audio platform have freed me of personal doubt.
I Found My Niche on TikTok—You Can Too
You have one minute to make a statement, but trust me, it's enough time to do something amazing.
Birders’ Tweets Are Causing an Online Flap
Sharing photos and location details of rare bird sightings is boosting the birdwatching community. But some worry that the exposure threatens the animals.
Online Meetups Are Sad, but What If You Were a Cute Animal?
A conference organizer's solution to virtual gatherings during the pandemic is equal parts audio chat, serendipity, and Animal Crossing.
Chatroulette Is On the Rise Again—With Help From AI
The hottest app of early 2010 faded quickly when it was flooded with unwanted nudity. Smarter content moderation is helping to revive it.
Discord Gaming Parties Are Better Than Zoom Meetings
You're probably using it to chat with friends, but if you're not using it to stream, play games, and chat with friends too, it's time to start.
The Future of Social Media Is All Talk
From Clubhouse to Discord to Twitter, 2020 was all about giving people a voice online. Literally.
From Podcasts to Book Deals, Friendship Is Big Business
Across the internet, pairs of best friends are parlaying their friendships into creative—and lucrative—business partnerships.
Twitch Support Groups Are an Unlikely Source of Solace
Some folks are using the platform to build deep, meaningful communities—and not all of them are around games.
CEO Sarah Friar Describes How Nextdoor Is Curbing Racism
The neighborhood-focused social network leans on local human moderators as well as AI, she explained at WIRED's virtual W25 conference.
How to Break Out of Your Social Media Echo Chamber
Platforms like Facebook are designed to profit from humans' confirmation bias. Here's how to restore balance to your feed.
What Is Clubhouse, and Why Does Silicon Valley Care?
The latest app du jour is a social network centered on talking—and it’s building buzz with the oldest trick in the book.
Zoom Not Cutting It for You? Try Exploring a Virtual World
If you’re craving more from your video chats, think outside the box. From Second Life to Online Town, there are plenty of places to gather while staying at home.
Conversation Apps That Inspire Long-Distance Deep Talks
More than messaging apps, these services encourage friends to have meaningful and lengthy dialogs they’d normally have face-to-face.