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The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: How to play Pips, the newest NYT game

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025:

AcrossRed or white, but not blue

• The answer is Wine.

Island country whose culture inspired much of "Moana"

• The answer is Samoa.

Garlic ___ (pizzeria appetizer)

• The answer is Knots.

Small coastal waterway

• The answer is Inlet.

Protective football gear

• The answer is Pads.

Down"___ bet?"

• The answer is Wanna.

Remark after not getting a modern reference

• The answer is Im Old.

Movie studio's feedback for a director

• The answer is Notes.

3 o'clock, directionally

• The answer is East.

Button pressed to escape a YouTube ad

• The answer is Skip.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Featured Video For You The Wordle Strategy used by the New York Times' Head of Games

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Mini Crossword.

AI won’t create value on its own. To unlock its potential, you must lead differently—shifting how you learn, structure teams, make decisions, develop people, and model change. Here’s where to start.  Span organizational boundaries. Fluency with AI develops through networks and exposure. Build relationships across industries, startups, regulators, and technologists. More-experienced users can provide insight […]

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TL;DR: Unblock porn sites for free with a VPN. The best service for unblocking porn sites is ExpressVPN.

Look around you — the online world is full of content restrictions and blockades.

Porn comes with a lot of restrictions, but there's really nothing wrong with adults visiting their favorite sites at entirely appropriate moments. When the time is right, you should be able to bypass content restrictions to access sites like XNXX from any network and location. And fortunately, you can do exactly that with a quick and easy hack.

If you want to unblock porn sites like XNXX from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

How to unblock XNXX for free

VPNs are useful tools that can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in other locations. This straightforward process can bypass geo-restrictions to access porn sites like XNXX from anywhere in the world.

SEE ALSO: How to unblock Pornhub for free

Unblock porn sites like XNXX by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in a location that supports access to XNXX

4. Visit XNXX

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for bypassing content restrictions are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can unblock porn sites like XNXX without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does mean you can retain access to porn sites when temporarily away from a secure network.

If you want to retain permanent access to everything the online world has to offer, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for porn is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for porn?

ExpressVPN is the best service for fast and reliable unblocking of porn sites like XNXX, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy

• Fast streaming speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $139 and includes an extra four months for free — 61% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month subscription for just $12.95 (including money-back guarantee.)

Unblock XNXX for free with ExpressVPN.

If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.

There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.

An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.

If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Hurdle: Everything you need to know to find the answers Hurdle Word 1 hint

A disturbance.

SEE ALSO: Apple’s new M3 MacBook Air is $300 off at Amazon. And yes, I’m tempted. Hurdle Word 1 answer

MELEE

Hurdle Word 2 hint

A vital organ.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for August 4, 2025 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

HEART

Hurdle Word 3 hint

How one might describe Chicago.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for August 4 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for August 4, 2025 Hurdle Word 3 answer

WINDY

Hurdle Word 4 hint

There are typically 12 in a courtroom.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for August 4 Hurdle Word 4 answer

JUROR

Final Hurdle hint

Sometimes found next to a toilet.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Games available on Mashable Hurdle Word 5 answer

BEDET

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

This content originally appeared on Mashable for a US audience and has been adapted for the UK audience.

In a world where online dating and casual hookups have become the norm, dating can still feel exhausting. Sometimes, just the thought of putting on proper clothes, coming up with witty conversation starters, and commuting to the actual meetup spot can be tiring.

No matter what kind of encounter you plan, when it comes to dating, there'll always be some sort of physical effort required. The good news? There is a loophole: Sexting.

What is sexting?

Sexting is the art of sending sexually explicit photos or messages to one or more people via text. Thanks to its recent rise in popularity, there are now apps for sexting and new sexting features in apps that are otherwise for dating in person.

What do you need to know about sexting?

Whether you're interested in giving sexting a try or you're a seasoned pro, there are a few things to keep in mind when downloading and using a new dating app to sext. Sure, there are fewer inhibitions when scoring a new sexting partner when compared to finding a long-term lover, but there are rules you should follow in order for all parties to feel at ease. Here are three big ones:

• Mutual respect — Assess the situation and know your audience. Usually, it doesn't take much more than a few pre-sext texts (or pre-sexts) to gauge whether or not someone is interested in doing the cyber-dirty with you. Take the time to figure that out before you lead with something raunchy and uncalled-for. AKA, don't just start throwing dick pics at people left and right if they didn't ask.

• Mutual trust — Be respectful: Privacy is sacred. The internet has the scary ability to make fleeting moments very permanent. If someone asks you to keep something to yourself, do it. While sexting can be light and fun, it also requires a serious level of trust. If you betray that trust, you're ruining it for everybody.

• Privacy — No app can completely protect your privacy for you — that's your job. Though there are apps that have certain features that are designed to protect your identity/content, they don't rule out all scenarios. For example, someone doesn't need to take a screenshot to capture a picture you send. They could easily use another phone or device to snap or record your photos and/or videos. You should always keep this in mind before sending anything that could be compromising, and do your best to make sure you trust the person who's receiving your messages.

Keep these points in mind when engaging in NSFW messaging.

Should you engage in sexting?

Real-life dating is obviously the best way to get to know somebody long-term, especially if you're looking for any kind of serious, in-person relationship. And real sex will always be better than sexting. However, sexting is an alternative that may help you out in ways you didn't even think about.

• Convenience — Whether you plan to wine and dine on your date or just meet to hook up, it always requires some extra effort. For those with super hectic schedules or those who just don't have room in their life (for whatever reason) for a steady in-person relationship, sexting is practically a saving grace. After all, your sex drive doesn't go away just because you're busy. Sexting allows you to take care of your sexual needs without putting yourself out.

• Exploring trust and intimacy — Getting comfortable with another person in close quarters doesn’t always come naturally for everyone — but opting for sexting gives way to a new level of exploration in terms of intimacy and trust. You don’t ever have to meet the person behind the screen if you don’t want to, but being able to practice feeling vulnerable without any strings attached can be a great lesson in being more open.

• Freedom — As is the case with most behind-the-screen activities, with sexting, you can let go of your inhibitions and get comfortable exploring your sexual side. Knowing there's a certain barrier between you and the other person may allow you to experiment with language and ideas that you wouldn't otherwise explore in person.

• Fun — A little honesty, please. A night of sexting is always going to be a lot more fun than endlessly swiping right on a dating app and starting the same conversation over and over. Having the option of opening an app on your phone and engaging in a little virtual foreplay offers instant gratification and (almost) guaranteed pleasure.

• Safety — We've touched on the reasons why sexting might not be completely safe in terms of privacy, but to its credit, sexting offers an element of safety that in-person meetings don't. Sexting allows you to interact with both people you know and total strangers without putting yourself in dangerous or unwanted physical situations. Your experience should always be what you want it to be, and with sexting, if it's not going in the direction you want, it's just a matter of closing an app.

The benefits are clear for all to see, so not give it a try?

What makes an app good for sexting?

You'll want to look for certain features in an app if you're planning on sexting:

• Ease of use — You don’t want to find yourself in a hot and steamy conversation trying to figure out how to attach an image or a voice note. When it comes to sexting, the more user-friendly the platform is, the better. You’ll want something that’s efficient and fast.

• Privacy features — What happens in a sexting app doesn’t always stay in a sexting app; there are no guarantees that your conversations or selfies won’t wind up a screenshot on someone’s phone. That said, certain apps include instant self-destruction features that delete photos and conversations after a certain amount of time.

• Safety — If you’re looking for a night of no-strings-attached fun online, it doesn’t really matter if the person on the other end of your conversation has been verified — but if you do want to ensure you’re not being catfished or chatting with a bot, consider using an app that links social media or verifies users.

• Subscription pricing versus free features — How much are you willing to pay for bells and whistles? There are several free apps out there, but if you're looking for something a little fancier, you can pay a few pounds a month for premium features.

With these features in mind, you should be ready to select an app and start sexting. You've got this.

What is the best app for sexting?

Since sexting, by nature, comes with a lot of factors to consider (consent and privacy, for example), we've picked out the best sexting apps to get you off — to a good start, that is. We've tried to line up something for everyone, so check out these options, and pick your favourite.

These are the best sexting apps in 2025.

It's almost the New Moon and each night the moon is becoming less visible, marking the end of its current cycle before it starts to grow brighter again. This lunar cycle lasts about 29.5 days, moving from New Moon to Full Moon and back as the Moon orbits Earth.

What is today’s moon phase?

As of Thursday, Oct. 16, the moon phase is Waning Crescent. Tonight, only 22% will be lit up, according to NASA's Daily Moon Observation.

There's a little less visibility tonight, but there's something to see. You won't need any visual aids to see the Aristarchus Plateau and the Kepler Crater. Binoculars will aid you in seeing the Mare Humorum, Grimaldi Basin, and the Oceanus Procellarum. With a telescope, you'll also see the Reiner Gamma, a lunar swirl on the moon's surface, as well as the Schiller Crater.

When is the next full moon?

The next full moon will be on Nov. 5.

What are moon phases?

The Moon follows a continuous cycle that lasts about 29.5 days as it travels around Earth. These shifts occur because the positions of the Sun, Earth, and Moon are always changing relative to one another. From Earth, we might see the Moon as full, partly lit, or completely dark, but the same side always faces us. What varies each night is how much sunlight reaches and reflects off its surface.

The eight main moon phases are:

New Moon - The moon is between Earth and the sun, so the side we see is dark (in other words, it's invisible to the eye).

Waxing Crescent - A small sliver of light appears on the right side (Northern Hemisphere).

First Quarter - Half of the moon is lit on the right side. It looks like a half-moon.

Waxing Gibbous - More than half is lit up, but it’s not quite full yet.

Full Moon - The whole face of the moon is illuminated and fully visible.

Waning Gibbous - The moon starts losing light on the right side. (Northern Hemisphere)

Third Quarter (or Last Quarter) - Another half-moon, but now the left side is lit.

Waning Crescent - A thin sliver of light remains on the left side before going dark again.

YouTube services are seemingly down as of Wednesday evening. Fortunately, the video streaming platform reports that it's now back up and running.

Shortly after 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT, users reported encountering playback errors, according to Downdetector and Google Trends data. YouTube acknowledged the outage shortly after 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT, addressing it on its official X account. The post also directed users toward its community page for ongoing updates.

"We're aware that some of you are experiencing issues watching videos on YouTube right now," wrote Google spokesperson Dwight Harvey. "We're investigating the issue and will update the thread here with the latest. Really appreciate your patience."

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

YouTube subsequently reported that the issue had been fixed around an hour and a half after it first went down.

"Confirming this is resolved across all YouTube services," wrote Harvey. "Thanks again for your patience!"

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

It's still unclear exactly what caused the outage, however both Downdetector data and YouTube's statements indicated that it impacted YouTube, YouTube Music, and YouTube TV. It's also unclear exactly how many people were affected, though people across multiple countries reported having issues according to Downdetector.

(Disclosure: Downdetector is owned by Ziff Davis, which also owns Mashable.)

This is a developing story. More details will be provided as they become available.

SAVE $35.01: As of Oct. 15, get the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 for $314.98, down from its usual price of $349.99 at Amazon. That's a discount of 10%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 $314.98 at Amazon
$349.99 Save $35.01   Get Deal

If you're in the market for a new smartwatch, you've got options. Sure, an Apple Watch might be the cream of the crop for iPhone users, but for everyone else on Android, Samsung's Galaxy Watch line is nothing to sneeze at, especially when you can get one at a discount.

As of Oct. 15, get the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 for $314.98, down from its usual price of $349.99 at Amazon. That's $35.01 off and a discount of 10%.

SEE ALSO: The 7 best smartwatches of 2025 include some surprises

This watch, with its "squircle" screen design, comes with a wide suite of fitness-tracking features, sleep coaching, and personal assistant options. It has a thinner silhouette and build than the previous Galaxy Watch, and its overhauled design is meant to help you better interface with your day and what's happening.

Additionally, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 is one of our favorite smartwatches. Reviewer Adam Doud scored it a 4.6 out of 5 and gave it our Mashable Choice Award. Doud praised its "bright display, attractive build, and smart health features" in his evaluation.

"I really like the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8, despite the battery life," Doud reflected. "I love the classy look, the software is really tight, and the Google Gemini integration is a big perk."

Pick it up at a discount if you want a new smartwatch or an upgrade over your last Galaxy Watch.

Nesting in Microsoft Excel involves using one function as an argument for another, allowing you to perform multiple calculations at the same time. It saves you from having to use helper columns or write various formulas in various cells, keeping your worksheet tidier and more efficient.

Best Advent calendars on sale at Amazon Best Lego Advent Calendar Lego Star Wars Advent Calendar $31.49 (save $13.50) Get Deal Best Pokémon Advent calendar Pocket Pop! Pokémon 24-Day Holiday Countdown Calendar $44.99 (save $5) Get Deal Best art and crafts Advent calendar Play-Doh Holiday Advent Calendar $16.99 (save $8) Get Deal Best Advent calendar for young kids Bluey Amazon-Exclusive Advent Calendar $21.99 (save $3) Get Deal Best Advent calendar for the tea lover Pukka Organic Tea Advent Calendar $21.62 (save $2.37) Get Deal

We haven't quite hit Halloween yet, but it's time to start thinking about the December holidays and, in particular, an item you should consider buying now: an Advent calendar. Each year, the best selection of these fun holiday calendars sell out, which means it's wise not to procrastinate. Plus, we've found plenty of great options that are on sale at Amazon. In stock and on sale? You know what to do. Here are some of our favorite picks.

Best Lego Advent calendar Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Star Wars Advent Calendar $31.49 at Amazon
$44.99 Save $13.50   Get Deal Why we like it

Lego Advent calendars are always a hit, and this year's Star Wars calendar is a fantastic option for fans of all ages. All of the favorite characters are here, and some have donned their best holiday outfits to celebrate 24 days of mini-builds. The possibility that the 2025 Star Wars Lego calendar will sell out is high, so snag this deal soon to make sure you're ready for the fun come Dec. 1. You can also grab it on sale at Walmart for $31.49, if Amazon is not your thing.

Best Pokémon Advent calendar Opens in a new window Credit: Funko Pop! Pocket Pop! Pokémon 24-Day Holiday Countdown Calendar $44.99 at Amazon
$49.99 Save $5   Get Deal Why we like it

From the Funko Pop! brand, the Pocket Pop! Pokémon calendar is another great option for both young and old(er) fans. Each of the 24 days features a collectible vinyl mini-figure that'll be a fun addition to your desk, the bookshelf, or your basket of Pokémon toys.

Best arts and crafts advent calendar Opens in a new window Credit: Hasbro Play-Doh Holiday Advent Calendar $16.99 at Amazon
$24.99 Save $8   Get Deal Why we like it

Keep the little ones busy this holiday season with the Play-Doh Advent Calendar designed for ages three and up. Each of the 24 days features both a Play-Doh color and one tool for a daily crafting session. The stampers and cutters follow fun holiday themes so kids can whip up cookies for Santa, hot chocolate, candy canes, and plenty more.

Best Bluey Advent calendar Opens in a new window Credit: Bluey Bluey Amazon Exclusive Advent Calendar $21.99 at Amazon
$24.99 Save $3   Get Deal Why we like it

Our beloved Bluey wouldn't miss out on the holiday fun, and the Amazon-exclusive Bluey Advent Calendar is a great way to kick off the season. The 24 days include items like stickers, accessories, a mini Christmas tree, and plenty more. Rewatch the Bluey Christmas episodes, which make opening these the ultimate celebration.

Best Advent calendar for the tea lover Opens in a new window Credit: Pukka Pukka Organic Tea Advent Calendar $21.62 at Amazon
$23.99 Save $2.37   Get Deal Why we like it

What better way to ring in the holiday season than with relaxing organic tea? The Pukka Organic Tea Advent Calendar is packed with 24 sachets of both black and green teas with great winter flavors like mint, ginger, and chai. There are also calming night-time teas for evenings at the fireplace.

More Advent calendars on sale at Amazon:

• Lindt Holiday Teddy Bear Chocolate Candy Advent Calendar — $12.48 $14.49 (save $2.01)

• Lego Friends Advent Calendar 2025 (42668) — $25.49 $34.99 (save $9.50)

• Lego Minecraft Advent Calendar 2025 (21280) — $26.94 $44.99 (save $18.05)

• Walker’s Shortbread Advent Calendar — $27.88 $29.99 (save $2.11)

• Lego City Advent Calendar 2025 (60475) — $29.99 $34.99 (save $5)

• Playmobil Junior Advent Calendar: Snowy Christmas — $32.04 $34.99 (save $2.95)

• Lego Disney Frozen Advent Calendar 2025 (43273) — $38 $44.99 (save $6.99)

• Lego Harry Potter Advent Calendar 2025 (76456) — $38.99 $44.99 (save $6)

TL;DR: Stay warm and entertained with the Kinhank Super Console X2 Pro — thousands of retro games, 4K streaming, and plug-and-play simplicity for just $89.97 (reg. $159.99).

Opens in a new window Credit: Kinhank Kinhank Super Console X2 Pro Retro Gaming Emulator and Streaming Console $89.97
$159.99 Save $70.02   Get Deal

If you’re not thrilled about the cold setting in, here’s a reason to look forward to staying inside: the Kinhank Super Console X2 Pro is just $89.97 (MSRP $159.99) with free shipping. It’s part retro gaming console, part modern streaming device — and 100 percent nostalgia trip.

This little powerhouse comes pre-loaded with thousands of retro and 3D games, spanning consoles you grew up with and a few you probably forgot existed. Built with a quad-core Cortex-A53 CPU and Mali-G31MP2 GPU, it runs everything from classic pixel art titles to modern Android apps with silky-smooth performance and crisp 4K visuals.

But this isn’t just for solo gamers — grab a friend, sync up the included controllers, and make it a full-blown living-room event. The dual operating systems (Android 9.0 for streaming and EmuELEC 4.5 for gaming) mean you can switch from a round of Street Fighter II to Netflix in seconds.

What you’ll get:

• Dual systems in one console: Android 9.0 + EmuELEC 4.5 for gaming and streaming

• 60+ emulators and thousands of pre-installed games

• Expandable storage via microSD

• 4K HD output with dual-band Wi-Fi connectivity

• 2 wireless controllers, remote, and 256GB game card included

Winter entertainment problem: solved.

Get the Super Console X2 Pro while it’s on sale with free shipping for just $89.97 (reg. $159.99).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

HUNTR/X stans, rejoice! The KPop Demon Hunters sing-along is returning to movie theaters, so you'll have a shot to watch the film somewhere other than your couch, couch, couch.

The sing-along, which slayed the box office during its original Aug. run, will be back in movie theaters from Oct. 31 to Nov. 2. Given its Halloween release, there's no better time to show off your HUNTR/X or Saja Boys cosplays.

SEE ALSO: 5 takeaways from 'KPop Demon Hunters' sing-along experience

Tickets for the sing-along go on sale Oct. 17 at 9 a.m. ET. The sing-along will be showing in the U.S. and Canada, along with international locations including the UK, Ireland, Korea, Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Australia, and New Zealand.

Don’t miss out on our latest stories: Add Mashable as a trusted news source in Google.

The re-release of the KPop Demon Hunters sing-along is further proof of the film's dominance across pop culture this year. KPop Demon Hunters became Netflix's most streamed movie of all time, while its soundtrack soared to the top of the charts. Eternal earworm "Golden" even hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

KPop Demon Hunters' success has translated to other media as well, earning it a Fortnite collab and an entire Saturday Night Live sketch. Following the sketch, the singing voices of HUNTR/X — EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami — performed "Golden" for the first time on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. (HUNTR/X's speaking voices are Arden Cho, May Hong, and Ji-young Yoo.)

Between these appearances and the return of the sing-along, it's clear that the KPop Demon Hunters party is far from done, done, done.

KPop Demon Hunters: A Sing-Along Event returns to theaters from Oct. 31 to Nov. 2.

Hybrid cars are having a serious moment in the U.S. right now, and it’s easy to see why. With gas prices still high and EVs getting more expensive while tax credits fade, drivers are realizing hybrids hit the sweet spot between savings and practicality.

Elon Musk's X dropped its legacy verification program for users back when the platform was still known as Twitter. Since then, X has been a haven for misinformation and racism.

However, according to X's new head of product, Nikita Bier, the site is planning an overhaul to profiles in an attempt to restore user trust. In a post on X, Bier explained that the platform is currently testing out a new profile display that lists what country the user is based in, when they joined the site, how the user accessed X, and how many username changes the account has undergone.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

X users can currently list their location in their profile. However, it appears the new profile information page is not user-generated. The platform will display where the account is based out of via the location the user actually posts from.

"When you read content on X, you should be able to verify its authenticity," Bier posted on X. "This is critical to getting a pulse on important issues happening in the world."

Bier says there will be "toggles" which will allow users to make specific information private in order to protect certain users' privacy. However, Bier says any information that's configured by a user will be highlighted so other users know too. Bier also shared that they are experimenting with exactly what information to include in this section as well, so new account data may be added or removed as X tests out the feature.

The blue verification badge was once an indicator that a user was a trustworthy source on X. However, after Musk acquired the company, he removed the old verification system which required that the company itself verify noteworthy users like politicians, journalists, and celebrities. Now, any user can pay $8 per month to sign up for X Premium and receive a blue verification badge. As a result, spammers and provocateurs have weaponized their verified status in order to spread scams and misinformation on the platform.

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, provides similar types of information for certain pages and profiles on their platform. For example, a user can go to the about section of any Facebook Page and see the country of origin for the users behind the page, as well as any name changes the page has gone through.

According to Bier, X will begin rolling the new policy out on a "handful" of X employees' profiles in order to get feedback.

TL;DR: Get a lifetime license to Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for $39.97, 81% off the $219.99 regular price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows: Lifetime License $39.97
$219.99 Save $180.02   Get Deal

If your old Windows machine is struggling to keep up with your day to day, it might be time to upgrade your productivity applications. Microsoft Office Professional 2021 is feature-packed suite of applications designed to seamless keep up with all the data handling, project managing, word processing and creating you do every day, and right now you can get it for just $39.97, or 81% off the $219.99 list price.

Office Pro 2021 isn’t the most current version of Office: Microsoft’s standalone Office 2024 and subscription-based Microsoft 365 are. But while it doesn’t have some of the most recent AI features of the newest models, it does include in all the word processing and data management features for collaboration and communication you expect from Office. And unlike subscription models, that access is all yours for life, no further charges ever.

SEE ALSO: Unlock eight Adobe and Microsoft apps for just $90

With your purchase, you get a lifetime license to not just Microsoft Word and Excel, but presentation creator PowerPoint, mail manager Outlook, and OneNote, Publisher, and Access to boot. You also get the free version of communications essential Microsoft Teams. And you’re buying it from a Microsoft verified partner, so you can buy with confidence.

You’ll get instant delivery for download of Office 2021, ready for installation on one PC for home or work use. It’s good to note that your license will be connected to the device you download it on, not your Microsoft account, and that this version of Office is not compatible with MS Office on Parallels Pro or other virtual machines.

If you’ve been looking to upgrade your older version of Office, this is a great deal on a powerful productivity package.

Get a lifetime license for Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for $39.97 (reg. $219.99).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Just finished watching the riveting limited series, Adolescence, on Netflix? If you're craving more British limited series that tell a complete story in a short run, the platform has a sizable collection of miniseries that will suit your tastes.

Razer makes a whole bunch of PC peripherals, not just keyboards and mice. This new range of webcams has a few cool features that will supercharge your next video calls—or even your next Twitch stream.

You can snag a 4-pack of Apple AirTags right now for an absolute steal at just $65 on Amazon. This is a massive 34% discount off the original $99 price tag. This is the perfect time to grab them, especially since these trackers make keeping tabs on your most important items incredibly easy.

Search news articles about being "chronically online" and you’ll mostly dig up fluff pieces on celebs who spend too much time on X or TikTok (Joe Jonas just can't be without his phone!). Yet "chronically online" is also used by media outlets to describe people like Tyler Robinson, the man charged with killing right-wing activist Charlie Kirk. 

"Investigators say Robinson is what some would call chronically online — a person who spends an inordinate amount of time on messaging platforms, on social media, and playing video games,” according to NPR.

Is being chronically online simply a goofy trait or, rather, a gateway to loneliness, delusion, or even violence? The word "chronic" makes the description seem clinical, like a diagnosed disease, but chronically online is an unscientific term — and a descriptor open to much interpretation.

"I don’t think there is an agreement on how much online time is 'too much,' because it also depends on what one does on the internet," Carlos Gershenson-Garcia, an empire innovation professor at the State University of New York at Binghamton, tells Mashable. "I mean, many people work only using the internet, so they use it 40+ hours a week, plus for personal time. But then, if one [spends] the same amount of time on social media, that is a different story. Or playing online games. Or doomscrolling."

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The phrase "chronically online" became somewhat ubiquitous during COVID when there was little to do besides walking, baking bread, and staring at the internet. As CNET (a sister site to Mashable) pointed out in 2021, certain millennials and members of Gen Z loved pointing out chronically online behavior among their peers, like regularly using verbiage exclusive to the internet (e.g., IRL, OOMF) or getting involved in debates with strangers. While those examples seem relatively innocuous, chronically online people can also gravitate from offline connections toward parasocial relationships, and get overly vested in disputes involving celebrities (Nicki Minaj v. Cardi B. seems to be a prime example).

Still, needlessly getting vested in a movie star's divorce may not be the best use of someone’s time, but it’s a far cry from being radicalized on Reddit to commit violence. 

"I think the key here is ‘chronically,' which, to me, denotes a medical condition," says John Fitzgerald, PhD, an associate professor of English at Salem State University who has written about technology for publications like the New York Times. "I think it has less to do with how much time a person spends online or even what they’re looking at and more to do with their immersion in online spaces."

Utah governor Spencer Cox described Robinson’s online behavior as traversing "that deep dark internet, the Reddit culture and these other dark places of the internet where this person was going deep."

SEE ALSO: Explaining the phenomenon known as 'AI psychosis'

Not mentioned by Cox was whether or not Robinson utilized AI chatbots, which have come under scrutiny for allegedly encouraging suicidal ideation among young people. The term AI psychosis has emerged as a way to describe someone who's lost connection to reality due to their relationship with an AI chatbot — but "AI psychosis," like "chronically online," is not a clinical term. Would clarification from medical experts on when online behavior crosses from simply unhealthy to downright dangerous help people before it’s too late? Maybe, but currently there is scant information on unhealthy internet behavior on HHS.com, the website of the government's Health and Human Services department. (The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration department, a division of HHS, does provide suggestions for kids and youth navigating the internet.)

Dangerous online behavior can emerge when a mix of unhealthy factors is at play, says Saed D. Hill, PhD, a psychologist and masculinity coach.

"Some signs [of dangerous online behavior] include when one's online engagement starts to really fuel social isolation, rigid belief systems, it's always us versus them, or aggression against certain groups...then it is probably shifting from basic coping and escapism to full-on radicalization or potential for violence," Hill says. "Social isolation, mixed with aggression, and having trouble with relationships is a big sign, though. This is exacerbated by things like drugs, alcohol, and access to weapons."

Hill encourages those concerned about a loved one's online behavior to join them in offline activities and simply engage with them more. Counseling and therapy are also beneficial for those struggling with online attachment; connecting with other humans to explore unmet needs is always a better solution than "turning to the digital echo chambers that tech companies profit and thrive off," says Hill. 

If you're feeling suicidal or experiencing a mental health crisis, please talk to somebody. You can call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org. You can reach the Trans Lifeline by calling 877-565-8860 or the Trevor Project at 866-488-7386. Text "START" to Crisis Text Line at 741-741. Contact the NAMI HelpLine at 1-800-950-NAMI, Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. ET, or email info@nami.org. If you don't like the phone, consider using the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Chat at crisischat.org. Here is a list of international resources.

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