As if doomscrolling on TikTok wasn't already problematic, it now features an emoji game in direct messages.
TikTok has quietly introduced a hidden emoji game within DMs to enhance user engagement. This mini-game is currently active in both private messages and group chats, providing users with an additional feature to keep them entertained even after they’ve finished watching videos.
This new element aligns perfectly with the platform's ability to extend "just five more minutes" into much longer periods of usage.
The game begins when you send an emoji in a chat. By tapping on this emoji, it becomes part of the game, flying across the screen and providing you with a speed boost as you aim to bounce upwards over a stack of alligators.
Your objective is to ascend as high as possible while dodging skeleton alligators, some of which disappear after a single landing. Success requires quick reflexes and a bit of chaos, encouraging you to play again. TikTok also displays your score alongside your opponent’s high score in the top-right corner, turning it into a light competition rather than merely a random feature.
TikTok informed TechCrunch that this Easter egg was introduced to make chatting more enjoyable and to add a fun competitive aspect to DMs. This isn’t the first of its kind; Instagram launched a similar hidden emoji game in DMs two years ago, and Meta has been testing games in Threads chats too.
On the surface, it’s just a harmless mini-game in DMs, but practically, it serves as yet another tool for engagement on a platform already adept at capturing users' attention.
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When it comes to your old Gmail username, it’s understandable that what seemed suitable a decade ago might feel awkward now. Back then, the internet landscape was different, and choosing a quirky or random email ID didn’t seem like a concern. However, transferring that old username to someone can be uncomfortable, and explaining why you still use it may leave you feeling a bit embarrassed.
Fortunately, you can change that now. Gmail allows you to update your old username to something more appropriate, reflecting the professional or refined version of yourself that you’ve become.
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For years, I’ve been an avid CarPlay user, making the upcoming WhatsApp app for CarPlay feel like a long-awaited improvement. Until now, I could only receive notifications on my dashboard without any real interaction. However, this new feature is currently in testing and is initially available only to iOS beta users. So, while it’s on the way, we’re not there yet.
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The topic of social media use among minors is increasingly complicated, as parents face the challenges that arise. There’s always the risk associated with children on social media, and no parent wants to deal with the consequences. The situation becomes even more complicated with the trend of parents creating and managing accounts for their kids. Although this might seem harmless and controlled, the internet offers no guaranteed safety. Even with careful oversight, ensuring predators stay out is nearly impossible, turning what starts as a "well-intentioned" setup into something more concerning.
The challenges of parenting in the digital age have become quite real.
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As if doomscrolling on TikTok wasn't already problematic, it now features an emoji game in direct messages.
TikTok has launched a hidden emoji game in direct messages worldwide, enabling users to challenge their friends without having to exit the app.