A brief overview of what is currently trending on X in news, culture, and/or trending hashtags and formats.
Playboi Carti’s performance at Rolling Loud drew attention for its theatrics and surprise guest appearances.
Users react to Elon Musk’s teasing of a rival Gmail platform, “X Mail”.
Fans celebrate Josh Allen’s impressive NFL performance.
A deeper dive into a subject that is impacting culture on a macro level, beyond just the social space.
TikTok’s Beauty Filter Ban
What It Is: TikTok is set to introduce age restrictions on beauty filters to address the alarming negative mental health impacts on youth, particularly young girls. This move sheds light on the troubling realities of modern girlhood, shaped by social media—from tweens flocking to Sephora to spend hundreds on skincare to the broader societal pressures of digital spaces. Restricting filters doesn't solve deep-rooted structural challenges for young children, but it is a meaningful step in acknowledging the issue. It reflects how social media has redefined girlhood: online spaces that claim to celebrate individuality are often rife with pressures to conform to beauty standards and the performative nature of identity.
Brand Takeaway: Brands can empower young audiences by fostering positive online experiences that build confidence beyond physical appearance. Today’s youth face a challenging environment, lacking a tween culture that embraces the messy, imperfect parts of adolescence. Kids aged 9–13 are often thrust into a digital world of adult expectations. Brands can create spaces and messages that celebrate imperfection and the joy of growing up, reinstating the playful aspects of tween life to build self-acceptance and resilience.
Examples: 1, 2, 3
A recap of what you might have missed while not online
Texas files first lawsuit against out-of-state abortion provider.
Mark Lee from the K-pop group NCT makes a surprise appearance at his NYC lookalike contest.
The New Jersey drone mystery continues.
Want to subscribe? Reach out to culturetaskforce@substack.com.