Month: September 2025

Instagram’s AI Boosts Teen Safety by Recognizing and Shielding Underage Users from Adult Accounts

Instagram is intensifying its initiatives to foster a more secure online atmosphere for adolescents by broadening its Teen Account safeguards to Canada, following a successful implementation in the U.S. This program seeks to protect younger users by utilizing artificial intelligence to identify and flag potential underage users, including those who try to evade age limitations with fraudulent birth dates. Once identified, these users are automatically transitioned to restricted Teen Account settings, offering stricter controls over who can contact them and filtering inappropriate content.

The AI-powered system is tailored to ensure that the majority of users under 18 are defaulted to a safer digital environment. Although the AI may not always be accurate and can mistakenly flag adults, users impacted can readily adjust their settings and confirm their age. This strategy aims to strike a balance between safety and user freedom.

Moreover, Instagram is actively engaging parents in its safety approach. In Canada, parents will receive alerts with expert-recommended advice on discussing the significance of using accurate birthdays online with their adolescents. This initiative is part of Instagram’s wider plan to bolster parental participation and support in overseeing teens’ online interactions.

Instagram states that more than 54 million teenagers globally are currently using Teen Accounts, with a significant portion of 13 to 15-year-olds retaining the protections. While numerous parents value these defenses, they often feel inundated by the difficulties of managing their children’s online footprint. By merging AI technology with parental guidance, Instagram aims to close this divide and enhance overall safety.

Despite these progressions, Instagram recognizes the persistent challenges of age verification throughout the industry. The platform is striving to fortify its systems by connecting parental consent and app store age verifications with its own technology, making it increasingly challenging for underage users to circumvent restrictions. Through these collective efforts, Instagram is dedicated to establishing a safer online space for teenagers.

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How to Effortlessly Turn Off the Camera Control Button on Your iPhone

capabilities of Apple Intelligence, with fresh features making their debut in iOS 26. In addition to the standard AI tools, Apple has launched Visual Intelligence — a functionality that can take a photo and provide you with additional information about the subject. The easiest way to activate Visual Intelligence is through the Camera Control key that arrived with the iPhone 16. Besides launching the AI feature, the Camera Control button also allows you to swiftly access the camera from any screen and take a picture.

In principle, this appears to be a useful feature. Nonetheless, many users find themselves frustrated by unintentional presses that disrupt their workflow. If you’re not keen on the Camera Control button on your iPhone, you can fortunately disable it through the Accessibility settings on your device.

How to turn off the Camera Control key

Five Handy Applications for the USB-C Port on Your Steam Deck

surpasses the screen resolution of the Nintendo Switch 2, despite being the earlier model. Whether your preference is for indie games or unleashing chaos in “Doom: The Dark Ages,” this handheld device is formidable. A few additions can enhance its appeal, such as a screen protector, case, and thumb stick grips. The Ultra variant of the Killswitch case, obtainable through dbrand, includes all those features, in addition to a hardshell screen cover and a kickstand. To optimize functionality and performance, however, it’s essential to utilize the USB-C port.

The USB-C port on the Steam Deck handles everything, from power supply to data transfer and more. Whatever you can link to your home desktop, you can utilize on the Steam Deck. Whether you’re traveling with the console, using it as a portable computer, or simply seeking a more ergonomic method to enjoy your favorite games, the USB-C port offers an excellent solution. Let’s delve into some of the finest USB-C accessories for your Steam Deck.

USB-C hub

Similar to the Nintendo Switch 2, to fully leverage your Steam Deck, you require a dock that enables you to enjoy your games on a larger screen. This is especially beneficial if you’re playing with friends or wish to take advantage of the bigger display for a more immersive gaming experience. No matter the case, a USB-C hub can facilitate this.

Although many USB-C docks are available for the Steam Deck, the official Steam Deck Dock is a reliable choice, priced at $79. The official dock incorporates a built-in USB-C cable that connects to the console, a USB-C power input port, an HDMI 2.0 port, a DisplayPort 1.4, a gigabit Ethernet port, and three USB

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Crucial Secret Codes Every Netflix Subscriber Should Be Aware Of

throughout Netflix’s current interface, over time, users of Netflix have compiled a comprehensive list of these genre IDs. (You can view one of those lists by clicking here.)

Incorporating these genre codes into your Netflix searches uncovers sub-genres upon sub-genres. Rather than merely Action, genre IDs offer inventive titles like Action with a Side of Romance (81647318) and Classic Action & Adventure (46576). You’ve kept this from us, Netflix, but now we are aware of your mysteries.

How to utilize Netflix’s genre codes in your upcoming search

Possible Effects of TSA X-Ray Scanners on Photographic Film

at its security checkpoints can lead to a phenomenon referred to as film fog, a frustration for every photographer.

Film fog can adversely affect the hue, contrast, and overall clarity of your finished photographs, making it beneficial to understand as much as possible about this photographic issue before it jeopardizes your treasured moments. Here’s all you need to learn regarding this possible threat, along with some precautionary tips to protect your film for your upcoming journey.

What is film fog?

Influence of China’s Biggest Dam on the Earth’s Spin

**Does The Largest Dam in China Really Affect The Earth’s Rotation?**

In discussions about engineering achievements, there are few structures on our planet that can match the colossal scale of the Three Gorges Dam in China. Situated in Hubei province, it spans the powerful Yangtze River and stands as the largest hydroelectric project in the world. Measuring over 2 kilometers in length and exceeding 180 meters in height, it can contain an astonishing volume of water that reaches hundreds of kilometers upstream. This dam has made headlines not just because of its substantial size, but also due to its significant environmental impact.

Since its establishment in 1994, millions of individuals living near the project area have been forced to move. The effect of the Three Gorges Dam on the local environment is widely recognized and recorded; however, there is also a lesser-known consequence. The vast mass of water held by the Three Gorges Dam subtly influences the dynamics of the planet. This dam exerts a minor yet notable effect on the Earth’s rotation — slowing it by approximately 0.06 microseconds. Let’s delve into how this occurs.

### The Rotation Issue of The Three Gorges Dam

The renowned Three Gorges Dam has a slight, yet quantifiable impact on the rotation of the Earth. When filled to capacity, the reservoir contains around 39 billion cubic meters (roughly 10 trillion gallons) of water. By moving such a colossal mass across the Earth’s surface, the dam modifies the planet’s weight distribution. This is significant due to the principle of angular momentum conservation. This principle in physics clarifies why figure skaters spin quicker when their arms are drawn close and slow down when they extend them. In terms of Earth, relocating water from the equator to higher altitudes slightly spreads mass away from the planet’s axis of rotation. This increased distance results in a slight reduction in the Earth’s spin.

Research indicates that when the Three Gorges Dam is at its maximum capacity, it causes a slight extension of the day by 0.06 microseconds. This millionth of a second is far too minute for people to perceive, but it can still be measured. It was Dr. Benjamin Fong Chao from NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center who performed these calculations. It’s fascinating to realize that some of humanity’s largest engineering endeavors not only transform the local environment but also influence planetary mechanics.

### The Effects of The Three Gorges Dam

While the Three Gorges Dam does indeed slow the Earth’s rotation, its effect is negligible in comparison to the natural forces that are perpetually at work. For instance, massive earthquakes can reallocate rock deep within the Earth’s crust, causing changes to our planet’s spin by comparable or even greater amounts. The seasonal melting and refreezing of polar ice, along with the movement of ocean tides, continually alters the Earth’s mass and influences its rotation thousands of times more than the dam does. Additionally, the gradual gravitational pull of the Moon slows down our planet more noticeably, although over an extended timeframe. The Moon increases our day length by about two milliseconds every century.

What does this imply for humanity? In practical terms, it means nothing that any of us would ever perceive. An extension of a day by a few millionths of a second will not grant us additional sleep. It has no effect on our clocks, calendars, or daily activities. Timekeeping systems are so precise that they consider natural variations in the Earth’s rotation. Hence, we have adjustments like leap seconds.

Nevertheless, in the realms of science and technology, accuracy is paramount. Satellites orbiting our planet and probes venturing to far-off worlds depend on precise knowledge of the Earth’s rotation and spin rate. Even minor fluctuations, if not factored in, can steer spacecraft off course. This is why scientists track the effects of melting ice, earthquakes, and even human-engineered structures like the Three Gorges Dam on the Earth’s rotation. The Three Gorges Dam also serves as a humbling reminder that our world isn’t a flawless chronometer, but rather a dynamic and ever-changing entity. As we continue to alter it and impact its ecosystems and climate, its natural rhythm shifts further away.

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A Manual for Selecting the Most Suitable Meta Smart Glasses for You

From Ray-Bans to Oakleys, Meta provides a variety of smart glasses for you to explore.

During Meta Connect 2025, Mark Zuckerberg introduced three new smart glasses, further expanding the range of smart glasses available from Meta. We had the opportunity to test all of them, and I’ve worn several models since 2021.

Even though the Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 2) has been released, Meta is not discontinuing the Gen 1s at all. In fact, the company is maintaining them as the most budget-friendly option in the series, with prices increasing from that point onward. Overall, Meta boasts a total of six distinct smart glasses models to consider.

So, which set of Meta smart glasses suits your needs? They all feature Meta AI at their core and can capture images, record videos, and replicate earbud functionality when linked to any smartphone, but is the least expensive option truly your best choice? Or should you opt for something a bit more upscale? I answer all of these inquiries and more below.

Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 1)

Contrary to what the name might imply, Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 1) is in fact the second iteration of Ray-Ban’s smart glasses line. The original version was named Ray-Ban Stories and launched in September 2021, but the rebranding to Ray-Ban Meta for the subsequent product was due to significant reasons. Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 1) is a fantastic improvement, providing Meta AI features, much enhanced video and photo quality, surround sound audio recording and playback, along with improved battery performance.

Even though Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 1) is the most economical option, they remain an excellent choice for smart glasses that I believe most users will find satisfying. They are available in three classic Ray-Ban styles — Wayfarer, Headliner, and Skyler — each offering a broad array of lens colors and tints. Additionally, prescription lenses are available ranging from -6.00 to +4.00.

However, it appears that Meta is no longer stocking all available lens colors for the Gen 1s. As of this moment, Meta only lists Wayfarer and Skyler on its website, and Best Buy has a very restricted selection as well.

Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 1) retains most of the same Meta AI features as newer Meta smart glasses, with a few important exceptions. While you can inquire what Meta sees or hears, it can only handle a single audio prompt at a time. This means you must ask one question at a time, while newer Meta glasses feature Meta AI’s live conversation mode.

The camera quality of Gen 1 is also nearly comparable to that of Gen 2, despite the notable difference in recording resolution. Photos are mostly identical between generations, but video quality is markedly improved on Gen 2s, and Gen 1 also suffers from inferior video stabilization.

The battery life is the weakest aspect of Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 1). With only 4 hours of maximum use per charge, you’ll find yourself charging these glasses at least once daily. Fortunately, the included charging case allows for convenient recharging on the go, and you’ll be able to charge the glasses fully multiple times before needing to recharge the case itself.

Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 2)

Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 2) stands out as the most fashionable smart glasses offered by Meta at present. With over 150 different combinations of lenses, frames, colors, and styles, there’s nearly guaranteed to be a pair that suits your individual taste.

It also represents a significant improvement over some of the less favorable aspects of Gen 1. It nearly doubles the battery life, which was the primary criticism directed at the Gen 1 glasses. These utilize the same internal hardware and cameras as the Oakley Meta HSTN smart glasses, so my battery evaluations there will provide insights on what to anticipate.

In summary, Gen 2s are expected to capture about 60% more photos and videos on a single charge compared to Gen 1s, making them a compelling option for anyone seeking these glasses for their distinct perspective.

Video recording quality receives a considerable enhancement over the Gen 1s, featuring a new 60FPS recording option and significantly improved stabilization.

Along with the upgrades in battery and camera capabilities, Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 2) introduces Meta AI Live conversation mode. When you say, “Hey Meta, go live,” the AI enters conversation mode and is capable of seeing and hearing what you see in real-time.

This enhancement surpasses the previous Meta AI features found in Gen 1 glasses, allowing for a seamless conversation with Meta AI as you move around.

Oakley Meta HSTN

Oakley Meta HSTN are stylish and functional Oakley glasses without the conventional “visor” appearance often associated with the brand. They utilize the same internal hardware as Ray-Ban Meta.

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Apple Unveils New Useful Security Function in Recent Update

### Strengthening Security with iOS 26: Emphasis on Wired Accessory Permissions

With the launch of iOS 26, Apple has rolled out a notable security feature that tackles the frequently disregarded hazards linked to wired accessories. This new permission option enables users to manage data transfer while connecting devices like charging cables or docks, thereby improving the overall security of iPhones and iPads.

#### Comprehending the New Permission Option

In iOS 26, when a user connects a wired accessory, the system prompts them to either permit or block data transfer. Should the user opt for “Don’t Allow,” the device will charge, but all data exchanges will be restricted. On the other hand, selecting “Allow” permits the accessory to begin data transfer. This functionality is especially vital in situations where users may connect their devices to public charging stations, which can entail risks like juice jacking—a technique where attackers take advantage of charging ports to steal information.

#### Security Measures Implemented

A significant feature of this new capability is that if the iPhone is locked, no accessory can transfer data until the device is unlocked. This indicates that while charging continues, sensitive data remains safeguarded unless the user specifically authorizes access. This additional security layer is essential for preventing unauthorized access to personal information.

#### Personalization Options

Users can tailor their experience with wired accessories via the Settings menu. Available options include:

– **Always Ask**: The device will prompt every time a new accessory is connected.
– **Ask for New Accessories**: Only new accessories will trigger a prompt.
– **Allow Automatically When Unlocked**: Accessories can connect automatically if the device is unlocked.
– **Always Allow**: The device will always permit data transfer with connected accessories.

These settings empower users to select their preferred level of security, balancing convenience with safety.

#### Mitigating Juice Jacking Risks

The introduction of this feature is a proactive measure aimed at reducing risks linked to public charging stations. While it does not entirely eradicate the threat, it encourages users to be discerning before permitting unknown accessories to connect. The ability to charge without enabling data transfer means that users can utilize public charging locations safely, without risking their data.

#### User Experience Issues

Despite these advantages, there is a significant concern regarding the clarity of the permission prompt. The phrase “Allow accessory to connect” may be misleading, as it does not clearly express the potential dangers associated with data transfer. This lack of clarity could lead users to mistakenly think they are only approving charging, rather than data access. Enhanced messaging from Apple could improve user comprehension and encourage better security practices.

#### Conclusion

The new wired accessory permission setting in iOS 26 marks a substantial progress in device security. By permitting users to manage data transfer while connecting accessories, Apple is taking significant strides to safeguard user data against possible threats. As users become more cognizant of the risks tied to public charging locations, features like this will be vital in protecting personal information in an increasingly interconnected world.

For those wishing to explore these settings, they can be located under **Settings > Privacy & Security > Wired Accessories**.

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Top 5 Best Rated Wireless Headphones Priced Below $100

on-ear headphones designed to help you shut out your surroundings when you need to concentrate on tasks or dive deep into your preferred entertainment. We opted to spotlight wireless models since they are the most straightforward to connect with your smartphone and other devices without the inconvenience of tangled cables. Furthermore, they boast impressive battery longevity and are easy to transport wherever you go. Continue reading below if you’re looking to enjoy fantastic sound quality without breaking the bank on an upscale pair.

Soundcore Space One

The Soundcore Space One headphones from Anker represent some of the best value headphones available today, featuring exceptionally effective active noise cancellation (ANC). They offer up to 40 hours of playback time with ANC activated and 55 hours without it on a single charge. This makes them a fantastic option for work, everyday travel, flying, gym sessions, or any noisy environment. Priced at $99.99, they’re often found on Amazon at a discounted rate that’s definitely worth considering. After all, these headphones have received over 10,000 user reviews with an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars. Additionally, they’ve been endorsed by renowned tech YouTuber <a href="https://www.youtube.com/shorts/nPghKX_IJAU" target="_

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Uncover the Concealed Android Functionality That Eases Your Daily Routine

Google Pixel 9 introduced a Backup or copy data function, enabling you to consolidate previously unsaved information from your old phone to your Google Account whenever needed. Recently, as highlighted by ComputerWorld, this capability is set to broaden, with the possibility of being available on devices beyond the Pixel line via the Android Switch app.

Although the Google Pixel 10 series features this new Copy data using Android Switch capability, various Android smartphones might gain access to it by updating the Android Switch application from the Google Play Store. Sadly, while the app is available on Samsung Galaxy devices, the new Android Switch functionality is not yet operational. Nevertheless, Google assured in 2024 that this feature would be rolled out to additional devices by 2025, so there is optimism for its forthcoming expansion.

How to copy data with Android Switch