Creators & Communities 21 March 2023 Meet India’s MrBeast — selfless saint or fame-hungry vlogger? Turning charitable acts into spectacles has earned Harsha Sai a rabid fan following. But this has also raised questions about his wealth and intentions. By Nilesh Christopher
TikTok Domination 7 March 2023 TikTok’s viral monks are clashing with Buddhist authorities Superstar monks have built massive followings — but dancing, singing, and fame-seeking are all violations of the monastic code. By Fiona Kelliher and Cindy Liu
Creators & Communities 7 March 2023 Xiaohongshu becomes an online oasis for trans people in China As authorities tighten their grip on LGBTQ content, the social media platform is a rare exception. By Xinrou Shu
Creators & Communities 2 March 2023 The momfluencers helping hundreds of pregnant Russian women move to Argentina Every day, 30 pregnant Russian migrants arrive in Buenos Aires. Many were convinced to do so by influencers. By Facundo Iglesia and Lucía Cholakian Herrera
Creators & Communities 1 March 2023 Tinder robberies have men in Brazil on high alert After a spate of violent crimes, men are questioning if their dating app matches seem a bit too eager. By Matheus Andrade and Nicole Froio
TikTok Domination 27 February 2023 People on TikTok are paying elderly women to sit in stagnant mud for hours and cry The trend ran rampant in Indonesia until the government stepped in. By Aisyah Llewellyn
Creators & Communities 17 February 2023 Demystifying Sufism — and gaining millions of YouTube viewers As YouTube becomes a meaningful platform for some Kashmiri Sufis, it also raises many eyebrows. By Adil Rashid
Creators & Communities 13 February 2023 Video call with a traditional healer? Once unthinkable, it’s now common in South Africa Remote consults allowed South Africa’s healers to weather the pandemic. Now many embrace the accessible option, though some think technology has no place in their practice. By Shukri Hassan
TikTok Domination 7 February 2023 A viral TikTok drug challenge has police on high alert. But it’s not real There is no evidence that Mexico’s “clonazepam challenge” trend ever existed. By Daniela Dib
Creators & Communities 19 January 2023 Indian teenagers from small towns are taking YouTube Shorts by storm A new generation of creators found success on YouTube Shorts. Now, YouTube is after them for violating its community guidelines. By Nilesh Christopher
Creators & Communities 17 January 2023 How Messi fans organized to break an Instagram world record After Argentina’s World Cup victory, supporters rallied to get their hero to a social media win. By Lucía Cholakian Herrera
Features 10 January 2023 Vigilantes for views: The YouTube pranksters harassing suspected scam callers in India Los Angeles-based Trilogy Media took “scambaiting” to a new level, but some claim they’re gaining viral fame at others’ expense. By Andrew Deck and Raksha Kumar
