Reddit is discontinuing anonymous browsing on the old version of the site, which has displeased many long-time users.

      Reddit's classic interface is about to enforce a login requirement, casting doubt on its long-term viability.

      If you've been anonymously using old.reddit.com, that option will soon be eliminated. Reddit has announced that all users must log in to access old.reddit.com, with this change expected to occur within the next month. A Reddit administrator shared this update on the site, stating it is part of an effort to restrict how automated systems access the platform.

      Why is Reddit restricting access to the old interface?

      For those unfamiliar with old Reddit, it is the traditional version of the site that many long-time users prefer due to its faster loading times and less cluttered appearance compared to the current layout.

      According to the admin's message, the logged-out version of old.reddit.com has become a major source of problematic scraping and automated traffic, indicating that AI bots and unauthorized software are harvesting data from the site extensively. Additionally, Reddit intends to require users to verify their humanity as part of its crackdown on bot accounts.

      Implementing a login requirement allows Reddit to link an account ID to each request, greatly simplifying the process of identifying and preventing rule violations. The admin also noted that old Reddit lacks the modern security systems that the current version utilizes, which complicates the filtering of harmful traffic.

      Thus, enforcing logins is the most straightforward solution available. It also conveniently aids Reddit’s advertising revenue, as logged-in users provide the platform with more valuable data for ad targeting.

      Is Reddit planning to shut down Old Reddit?

      That is the pressing question, and the admin didn't entirely alleviate concerns. Reddit acknowledged that it cannot guarantee the long-term availability of old Reddit, although CEO Steve Huffman stated last year that the intention is to keep it operational as long as there are users.

      Long-term users are responding negatively to the news, with many expressing frustration at the loss of anonymous browsing and fearing this may be the first move towards eliminating the classic interface altogether. For now, old Reddit remains accessible without a login, but that option is rapidly approaching its end.

      Manisha Priyadarshini is a tech and entertainment writer with more than nine years of editorial experience.

      Research indicates that TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, and YouTube are failing children with ineffective safety features.

      More than half of social media child safety features do not function as advertised. Platforms have for years assured parents that their children are safe online, but new research challenges those claims. A report from the Cybersafety Research Center evaluated 86 child safety features across TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, and YouTube. Only 35 of these features worked as intended, while the others were either malfunctioning, hidden in settings, or absent altogether.

      Which social media platforms ranked lowest in child safety?

      Yet another study confirms that TikTok offers poor injury advice.

      Your knee should not rely on viral TikToks for rehab guidance.

      We've often discussed the negative implications of social media, particularly its addiction for children; however, a new concern is the dissemination of poor medical advice on these platforms. While TikTok is typically utilized for entertainment like dance trends or recipes, it is also a source of health information from non-professionals. A study conducted by researchers from Université de Montréal examined TikTok videos related to anterior cruciate ligament rehabilitation exercises, yielding disheartening results. The researchers analyzed 106 videos found with the search term “ACL rehab exercises,” comprising 55 from regular users and 51 from healthcare providers.

      Instagram is exploring a more user-friendly method for accessing recommendations.

      A Reels shortcut is under testing to improve access to Instagram’s Your Algorithm feature.

      We’ve all experienced the frustration of an Instagram feed going off course. A random Reel captures your interest for a moment, and it quickly leads to the app repeatedly serving similar content. Instagram already offers a solution for some of that through Your Algorithm, which enables users to fine-tune the topics influencing their recommendations. Now, the company aims to make this tool more easily accessible while users actively engage with the app.