Instagram’s New Tool
Instagram has been working on a new tool on their app recently. But, it’s still in the developmental stages and has yet to roll out. The new tool will allow you to anonymously try to help people in distress or in danger of self-injury. The way the tool works is if you see something sketchy, unusual, or a cry for help from one of your friends, you can anonymously report it. Then, Instagram will send the user, who is displaying the distressful behavior, a message saying, “Someone saw one of your posts and thinks you might be going through a difficult time. If you need support, we’d like to help.” The user will then be prompted to select a support option of either talking to a help line, talking to a friend, or getting tips and support.
Users will also be directed to the support page if they are attempting to search for any hashtags related to self-injury. Instagram COO Marne Levine says the reason for this tool is because “outreach from a loved one can make a real difference for those in distress. At the same time, we understand friends and family often want to offer support but don’t know how best to reach out” and “is designed to let you know that you are surrounded by a community that cares about you, at a moment when you might most need that reminder.” Instagram worked with National Eating Disorder Association and National Suicide Prevention Lifeline to help develop appropriate language for the support page. (Source: Mashable)
Patriot’s Head Coach Hates Tablets
Even though the Patriots may be having a great season, their head coach Bill Belichick is not. Belichick has easily been defeated by his Microsoft tablet. He went on a rant to reporters on Tuesday, stating he will abandon the smart device for a pen and paper instead. The rant about his hatred for his tablet also lasted for over five mins. His struggle with the tablet is not new, the tablets made their debut on August 3, 2014 in a game between the Buffalo Bills and New York Giants, and has since been giving Belichick enough problems to create a 5-minute rant. Most notable was when the tablets had a glitch in the AFC championship game against the broncos, hurting the Patriots. Belichick states he is “done with the tablets” and he has “given them as much time as [he] can give them. [He] just can’t take it anymore.” Microsoft, maker of the hated tablet, fired back saying they “respect Coach Belichick’s decision, but stand behind the reliability of Surface (name of the infamous tablet)”. (Source: Mashable)
HillaryDonaldGO
While Pokémon Go has come and gone, two Ivy League professors at Dartmouth College have created a new app just in time for the election. The new app is called HillaryDonaldGo. The idea of the game is instead of searching for Pokémon, you “must find the nearest Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump ‘booth’ and send their preferred candidate ‘good vibes’ that allow them to grow in support.” Once a “booth” receives more than 50 percent of the “good vibes” it will take on the face of the preferred candidate with humorous expressions and soundbites from the campaign trail. (Source: Journal Tribune)
