Why social media is freaking you out in Trump's America—and how to stop it

Remember when Facebook was a fun place to see cute baby photos? And now it feels more like a sanitarium where everyone's screeching about the impending apocalypse? And scrolling through it knots your stomach and makes you feel like going to bed forever? 

Turns out,  there's something to all of that.

Consider how your relationship with social media's changed since President Donald Trump took office. It's no doubt helped you stay on top of each day's fresh horror unleashed by the guy elected to lead our free world, like the Muslim ban railroaded into place by executive order at the end of last week. Maybe it's helped you join—or even organize—some protests. Read more...

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Twitter launches Black History Month chatbot in celebration of black culture

Looking for new ways to celebrate black history and culture this Black History Month? There's a bot for that.

Blackbirds, Twitter's black employee resource group, launched a chatbot on Feb. 1 to provide users with community-focused facts, information and support. When you DM the @Blackbirds account, the bot will greet you automatically, letting you choose from one of four preset categories: Today in #BlackHistory, #ForTheCause, #SelfCare and #ForTheCulture.

SEE ALSO: Bold, black and brilliant: Unsung heroes of the Civil Rights Movement

"We recognize the incredible impact of black people and culture on our platform every day, so we wanted to contribute to that conversation in a meaningful way during Black History Month through this bot," Shelby Williams, a member of Blackbirds and a brand planner on Twitter’s Brand Strategy Team, told Mashable. Read more...

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Always Up-to-Date Guide to Social Media Image Sizes

How to find protests in your city when you don't know where to start

If you feel a policy, law or even a world leader needs changing, the first step is simple: you protest.

Protesting has long been a way for marginalized communities to combat oppression. But the act of defiance and dissent is currently having a mainstream moment, thanks to the newly minted presidency of Donald J. Trump.

SEE ALSO: 5 crucial online resources that help immigrants learn their rights in airports

With many progressives passionate about contesting Trump's policies and actions, marches and protests have been popping up across the U.S. on a weekly — and even daily — basis. It's now common for at-risk communities and their allies to take to the streets after work, between errands and around their regularly scheduled lives. Read more...

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The 'resistance' is loving conspiracy theories about a power-hungry Trump

Conservative bloggers and opinion writers don't have a monopoly on spreading their political conspiracy theories.

After President Donald Trump signed his executive order prohibiting people from Muslim-majority nations from traveling to the U.S., activists mobilized against the constitutionally questionable ban that caused chaos in airports nationwide over the weekend. 

But their protests may be just what Trump's inner circle wanted, according to conspiracy theories that have been blowing up left-wing corners of the internet.

SEE ALSO: Trump's voter fraud investigation may want to start with his own daughter Read more...

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Body-positive blogger compares 2 photos to make an important point

LONDON — Instagram is awash with posts about fitness and dieting, with many showing an unrealistic and doctored view of women's bodies.

But, one body-positive blogger posted two photos taken at the same time to make a stand against the body pressures women and girls face on Instagram.

SEE ALSO: Nourish your Insta: 10 self-love advocating women to follow in 2017

Milly Smith posted a side-by-side photo on Instagram. The photo on the left shows Smith wearing waist-controlling tights pulled up "as high as possible", while the other shows Smith posing with her tights pulled down.

"Same girl, same day, same time," wrote Smith on Instagram.  Read more...

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