Instagram is launching a School Partnership Program to help educators report bullying and safety issues directly. Developed with ISTE and ASCD, the program aims to improve teen safety in schools. Instagram Teen Accounts provide parents with tools to ensure safe online experiences for their teens. The program prioritizes reports from schools and offers educational resources. Schools can sign up for the program to enhance their ability to address cyberbullying.
Meta AI is launching in 41 European countries, including EU nations and overseas territories. The chatbot will support six languages to enhance social experiences for over 700 million users. It will be available for free on Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger, allowing engagement in group chats. Users can discover relevant content and access information efficiently. Future plans include expanding AI features and personalization globally.
Threads has introduced new features for personalization, including the ability to add up to ten topics to your bio, follower-only replies, and an enhanced video player. Posts with tagged topics attract more views, and prompts for trending topics help users engage their audience. Users can manage interactions by allowing replies only from followers and can customize their feed order. The video player now includes improved controls for easier viewing.
Meta's Llama AI model has surpassed one billion downloads, emphasizing the importance of open sourcing AI for global access. Key users include Spotify, which uses Llama for personalized music recommendations, and startup Fynopsis, which helps small businesses with M&A deals. Developer Srimoyee Mukhopadhyay created an app to uncover local cultural gems in Austin. These applications illustrate the power of open source AI and invite more users to participate.
Markifact is a no-code marketing automation platform that lets users create AI-driven workflows for automating marketing tasks. Users can trigger workflows, connect apps, and track performance through a visual interface. The platform offers pre-built templates, integrates with various marketing tools, and supports team collaboration.
Meta is testing Community Notes on Facebook, Instagram, and Threads in the US, replacing its third-party fact-checking program. This crowd-sourced approach allows diverse contributors to add context to posts, aiming to reduce bias. Initially, notes won't be public as the system is tested. Contributors must meet specific criteria, and notes will have a character limit and require links. The program will gradually roll out, with plans for global expansion.
Meta AI has launched in the Middle East and North Africa, providing millions in countries like Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Morocco with access to AI tools in Arabic across popular apps. Users can generate text, images, and animations, with features like simultaneous dubbing and AI image editing coming soon. The launch includes a campaign called 'Elevating Every Moment' featuring regional creators. Meta AI is user-friendly and accessible on any device, enhancing creativity and collaboration.
Meta is intensifying its fight against romance scams on its platforms ahead of Valentine's Day 2025. The company has removed 408,000 fraudulent accounts in 2024 and over 116,000 in 2025. Common scams include military impersonation, celebrity impersonation, and fake matchmaking agencies. New safety features include alerts for suspicious activity, call silencing on WhatsApp, and warnings for teens on Instagram.
Meta has partnered with Childhelp to launch a free educational curriculum aimed at protecting middle schoolers from online exploitation like sextortion and grooming. Developed with child safety experts, it includes lesson plans, activities, and videos to promote safe online practices and personal boundaries. The curriculum is part of the Childhelp 'Speak Up Be Safe' program and will involve high school students teaching younger peers.
Meta has launched a feature on Threads that allows users to share custom public feeds, enhancing content discovery and community engagement. Key features include a Feeds tab for exploring public feeds, the option to pin favorite feeds, and the ability to share feeds via links and direct messages. Users can make feeds public by changing settings. This update builds on last year's custom feeds feature, focusing on user engagement and information discovery.
