Social Changes

A curated collection of can’t-miss news from this week, including 2021 social media trends and more. Sign up to get the TURNER Weekly Download in your inbox.

Pinterest Says No To Weight-Loss Ads

Unhealthy eating habits increased during the pandemic — and Pinterest is doing something about it. The social platform recently banned weight loss related ads to curb content that “displays, rationalizes or encourages eating disorders and other types of self-injury.” Now, Pinners can search for the “#pinterestwellbeing” tag, which offers gratitude and self-compassion exercises, along with other interactive practices that can help improve their mood.

Social Changes

The lines are blurring between several social media platforms, reports CNBC. Instagram  wants to be more like TikTok, with enhanced video capabilities. Meanwhile, TikTok is  extending the length of its videos to be more like YouTube. “We’re no longer a photo-sharing app or a square photo-sharing app,” Instagram Chief Executive Officer Adam Mosseri said. “There’s some really serious competition right now. TikTok is huge, YouTube is even bigger, and there’s lots of other upstarts as well. People are looking to Instagram to be entertained. There’s stiff competition, there’s more to do, and we have to embrace that.”

Facebook’s Bulletin

Facebook isn’t sitting still, either. The platform just launched Bulletin, its Substack-like newsletter subscription service. “The goal here is to support millions of people doing creative work,” Mark Zuckerberg, the chief executive of Facebook, said in a conference call with reporters. “More and more independent writers are discovering ways to use their voice and make money through other avenues, similar to the ones we’re introducing here.” Writers include such big names as Malcolm Gladwell, Mitch Albom, and Adam Grant.

Google Maps Upgrade

If you’re traveling by car this summer, Google Maps is going to be more valuable than ever. The app was just upgraded with the Insights feature, which offers detailed stats about your navigational and travel habits. BGR reports: “You’ll see all your travel history in one place, complete with detailed statistics. Google Maps will tell you what the busiest day of the month has been, where you’ve been shopping, what attractions you’ve been visiting, and what hotels you’ve slept at.”

Weekly Moment of Zen

Iceland ran the world's largest trial of a shorter work week. The results will (not) shock you.