Reed Social Media Group LLC

07/30/2026

"PARIS — France banned children under 15 from using social media on Tuesday, becoming the first country in the European Union to pass a blanket ban on the platforms as concerns grow worldwide over the harmful effects of digital content on kids."

Find out more about "French lawmakers approve a sweeping social media ban for children under 15."

The move makes France the first country in the European Union to pass a blanket ban on platforms as concerns grow worldwide over the harmful effects of digital content on kids.

07/29/2026

"For twenty years, the deal between Google and the web was simple. Publishers let Google crawl their pages. Google sent readers back in return. That bargain is breaking.

Reddit is the latest, and loudest, sign. Its shares fell about 9% on Wednesday after the Wall Street Journal reported that the company has discussed cutting off Google’s access to its content for AI. The two signed a deal in 2024 that lets Google train its models on Reddit posts, worth a reported $60 million a year."

Read more about "Reddit may cut Google off from its content, and it isn’t the only one."

Reddit's stock fell 9% on a report it may end Google's access to its content for AI, as AI Overviews gut the referral traffic publishers rely on.

07/28/2026

"If you’re a LinkedIn user, you recognize it instinctively: Anyone with a green ribbon around their profile picture is in the market for a new job, and they want everyone to know it."

Continue reading this article on "Stats show LinkedIn’s ‘Open to Work’ badge works. Designers say it could be even better."

The professional networking platform says the badge gets results for users, but its desperate reputation means it’s time for a redesign.

07/27/2026

Here at Reed Social Media Group, this is what we recommend for passwords on social media platforms: Check out our blog on.

How Often Should You Change Your Password on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram?

For years, the standard advice was simple: change your password every 90 days. But security experts have largely moved away from that rule — and for good reason. Forcing frequent password changes often backfires, pushing people toward weak, predictable patterns like "Password1," "Password2," "Password3." Today's guidance is smarter and more focused on when it actually matters, not a fixed calendar.

The Short Answer

You don't need to change your LinkedIn, Facebook, or Instagram password on a schedule. Instead, change it when there's a real reason to — and use stronger, more durable protections the rest of the time.

When You Should Change It Immediately

A data breach involves the platform. If LinkedIn, Meta, or a connected app reports a breach, change your password right away.

You reused the password elsewhere. If another site you used it on was compromised, assume this account is at risk too.

You notice suspicious activity. Unfamiliar logins, messages you didn't send, or unrecognized devices in your account's security settings are red flags.

You shared it, even briefly. Gave it to a colleague, typed it on a public computer, or sent it over email or text? Change it.

It's weak or old and reused. If you're still using a password from years ago across multiple sites, it's overdue for an upgrade.

What Matters More Than Frequency

Use a unique password for each platform. This way, a breach on one site doesn't compromise the others.

Turn on two-factor authentication (2FA). This is the single biggest security upgrade you can make — even a stolen password becomes far less useful to an attacker.

Use a password manager. It generates and stores long, random passwords so you're not relying on memory or reuse.

Check for breaches proactively. Services like Have I Been Pwned can alert you if your email or accounts show up in a leak.

Review account activity periodically. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram all let you see active sessions and login history — check this every few months.

The Bottom Line

Rather than changing your password every three or six months out of habit, focus on making each password strong and unique, enabling 2FA, and reacting quickly to actual warning signs. A long, random, unreused password protected by two-factor authentication will keep you far safer than a mediocre password changed regularly.

Security isn't about rituals — it's about resilience.

Have a question about your social media? Please comment below, email Wayne at [email protected], or call him at 847-497-0097. This number will not accept texts.

07/23/2026

"This might seem unnecessary, or like a sci-fi plot device. But China has enacted new laws that would forbid relationships with artificial intelligence-powered services."

Find out more about "China bans romantic relationships with AI companions."

New laws forbid users to engage in intimate emotional interactions with artificial intelligence chatbots and ban their use, per the Wall Street Journal.

07/22/2026

"An investigation has been launched into whether TikTok is doing enough to keep children off its platform.

The probe by media regulator Ofcom comes a month after the UK government announced that under-16's would be banned entirely from a range of platforms."

Read more about "TikTok faces Ofcom investigation over child age checks."

It follows a review by the regulator in May that criticised the platform for not being "safe enough" for children.

07/21/2026

"Facebook has uncovered another influence campaign tied to Iran.

The company has removed 82 Pages, accounts, and groups for "coordinated inauthentic behavior" aimed at people in the United States and the UK. The accounts, which were on both Facebook and Instagram, were used to spread content on socially divisive issues, like race relations and immigration, according to Facebook."

Continue to read this article on "Facebook removes 82 pages and accounts linked to Iran."

Facebook has found another influence campaign with ties to Iran.

07/20/2026

At Reed Social Media Group, we understand that there is a lot of fake AI information on social media. So here is our guide to;

How to Spot AI-Generated Fake Information on Social Media

AI-generated content is everywhere now, and not all of it is honest. Here's how to catch the fakes before you share them.

Look at the Image Closely

AI image generators still struggle with details. Check hands (extra or missing fingers), ears, teeth, and text within images. Backgrounds often blur strangely, jewelry may be asymmetrical, and reflections in glasses or mirrors sometimes don't match reality. Zoom in — the flaws usually live in the details, not the big picture.

Check the Source

Fake information spreads fastest when it has no clear origin. Before believing a post, ask: who posted this first? Is it from a verified news outlet or a random account with no history? A reverse image search (Google Images or TinEye) can reveal whether a photo has been used elsewhere, altered, or taken out of context.

Watch for "Too Perfect" or "Too Extreme" Content

AI-generated text often reads smoothly but says nothing specific — vague claims, generic phrasing, and emotionally charged language designed to provoke a quick reaction (outrage, fear, awe). If a post seems engineered purely to make you feel something strongly, slow down.

Notice Inconsistent Lighting and Physics

AI struggles with consistent shadows and light sources. If someone is lit from the left but their shadow falls the wrong way, or if reflections don't match what they should reflect, that's a red flag.

Cross-Check With Multiple Sources

Real news breaks across multiple credible outlets around the same time. If only one account is reporting something dramatic and no established source has picked it up, treat it with skepticism.

Use Detection Tools

Tools like Hive Moderation, or built-in platform labels (Meta, YouTube, and TikTok now flag some AI content) can help, but they aren't foolproof. Use them as one signal among several, not a final verdict.

Trust Your Instincts — But Verify

If something feels slightly "off," it probably is. AI content often has an uncanny quality — almost right, but not quite. That gut feeling is worth investigating further rather than dismissing.

The Bottom Line

No single trick catches every fake. Combining visual inspection, source-checking, and healthy skepticism is still your best defense. The goal isn't paranoia — it's a habit of pausing before you believe or share.

Have a question about your social media? Please comment below, email Wayne at [email protected], or call him at 847-497-0097. This number will not accept texts

07/16/2026

"Every consumer app has a settings menu that lets you make decisions about things like notifications or dark mode. Meta has just decided that anyone can generate AI images of you from your public Instagram account by typing your Instagram handle into a prompt."

Learn more by reading this article on "Turn off this Meta setting before someone generates AI images of you."

Meta's new Muse Image tool lets anyone generate AI images of you from your public Insta profile. You won't be notified, and it's on by default.