A class action <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/lawsuit">lawsuit</a> has been filed against <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/youtube">YouTube</a> star MrBeast and Amazon by five former contestants on the unreleased reality competition show, “Beast Games.”
The plaintiffs allege general mistreatment, sexual harassment, and other violations, court documents show. A redacted version of the lawsuit became available after it was filed on Monday in Los Angeles Superior Court, per <a href="https://variety.com/2024/digital/news/mrbeast-amazon-sued-beast-games-contestants-class-action-1236148181/">Variety</a>.
“<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/television">Beast Games</a>” had a $100 million production budget, the suit states. Creator MrBeast, whose real name is Jimmy Donaldson, <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2024/03/18/business/mrbeast-amazon-deal-reality-show/index.html">discussed</a> the game show in March, saying it includes “over 1,000 contestants, $5,000,000 prize, and many other world records,” making it the “largest game show in history.” It is scheduled to be released on Prime Video. 
The lawsuit alleges that Amazon and MrBeast’s production company (Off One’s Base LLC) committed several offenses, including failing to pay minimum wages and overtime, failing to prevent sexual harassment, and creating conditions that led to “infliction of emotional distress.” The plaintiffs said they were not provided uninterrupted meal breaks or rest breaks and were exposed to “dangerous circumstances and conditions as a condition of their employment.” 
They also claimed to be subjected to a “culture of misogyny and sexism.”
<a href="https://www.amiracist.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.amiracist.com/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1726313279401000&amp;usg=AOvVaw115_qPFFEePDP86-Fvo-Vd">Am I Racist? Is In Theaters NOW — Get Your Tickets Here!</a>
“While participants knew upon signing the contract at the production’s inception that they were facing a potentially long and challenging competition, they allege getting a lot more than they bargained for,” attorneys for the five anonymous plaintiffs said in the 54-page document. “Several contestants ending up hospitalized, while others reported suffering physical and mental complications while being subjected to chronic mistreatment, degradation and, for the female contestants, hostile working conditions.”
Most of the specifics of the sexual harassment claims were redacted from the document. But one section discusses “a pattern of sexual harassment.” 
For example, plaintiffs claim that in the “How to Succeed in MrBeast Production” employee handbook, it says, “If talent wants to draw a d*** on the white board in the video or do something stupid, let them… Really do everything you can to empower the boys when filming and help them make content. Help them be idiots.”
The New York Times ran an <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/02/style/mrbeast-beast-games-competition-show.html">article</a> last month detailing allegations from former contestants about the conditions on the game show. They said several participants fainted, vomited, or were hospitalized during the competition. A spokesperson for Donaldson acknowledged the issues, telling the outlet at the time that filming was “unfortunately complicated&#8221; by the global <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/delta-american-other-major-airlines-grounded-amid-mass-it-outage-other-industries-impacted">CrowdStrike disruption</a> in July, extreme weather, and &#8220;other unexpected logistical and communications issues.”

Jimmy Donaldson

MrBeast Sued By ‘Beast Games’ Contestants For Alleged Sexual Harassment, Mistreatment

MrBeast Sued By 'Beast Games' Contestants For Alleged Sexual Harassment, Mistreatment

Entertainment

Lawsuit

Reality TV

Television

U.S.

YouTube

Despite <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/matt-walsh">Matt Walsh</a>’s documentary “<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/am-i-racist">Am I Racist?</a>” being the number four film at the box office over its opening weekend and outperforming major Hollywood productions, <a href="https://x.com/mattwalshblog/status/1835822639312461971?s=46&amp;t=5nB3R1hthzMlYMrXjZyN8Q">mainstream critics</a> have completely ignored its existence. 
Reviewer Jeremy Jahns, who has almost 2 million <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/youtube">YouTube</a> subscribers, was accused of being racist and attacked on social media after daring to post his reaction to his channel.
“The Left has labeled Jeremy Jahns a racist and a sell out simply for reviewing my film,” Walsh posted to X on Monday.  “This is how they play the game. Viciously denounce anyone who positively acknowledges the existence of the film so that other critics will be too afraid to follow suit.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
The Left has labeled Jeremy Jahns a racist and a sell out simply for reviewing my film. This is how they play the game. Viciously denounce anyone who positively acknowledges the existence of the film so that other critics will be too afraid to follow suit. <a href="https://t.co/MrVe3Y2ho6">pic.twitter.com/MrVe3Y2ho6</a>
&mdash; Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog) <a href="https://twitter.com/MattWalshBlog/status/1835766259536855466?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 16, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
He included a post <a href="https://x.com/mjarbo/status/1835382105909731515">reaction</a> from Matt Jarbo, host of the podcast Hollywood After Dark, that said, “Midlife crisis Jeremy Jahns is not the villain origin story I was expecting.”
“Jeremy Jahns has always sucked. It’s amazing people valued his opinion at all. Him being a racist and a centrist coward is not surprising in the slightest,” another <a href="https://x.com/ILikeJustinG/status/1835491272095658475">said</a>.
“Confirmed racist,” a third person agreed.
“I can&#8217;t think for the life of me why Jeremy Jahns would shine a light on a person like Matt Walsh and ‘give him a shake’ except that Jahns got a juicy offer from the Daily Wire in the form of connections or payments or some other form of transaction,” a fourth <a href="https://x.com/blaze91610/status/1835463842207248844">wrote</a>. 
Jahn’s review of “Am I Racist?” on YouTube has more than 400,000 views. He starts off the video saying he intitally thought, “Maybe I should just skip this one,” but ultimately decided to see and review the movie. “The fact that that entered my mind is kind of one of the points this movie makes,” he explained.
The critic said he had heard “Am I Racist?” being described as a “Conservative Borat” and decided to watch it because the movie was available in theaters. He said he appreciated Walsh’s method of asking a lot of questions in the film.
“Matt Walsh is surprisingly funny,” Jahns added.
The reviewer said the movie made him laugh and it made him think, especially during scenes of regular people not living in the bubble who had no idea what Walsh was talking about when he started using terminology that’s common among DEI activists and allies. 
“I thought, interesting questions or counter examples worth asking or presenting were presented,” Jahns said. “Are these experts with their workshops and their books really trying to heal the world, make it a better place, or are they perpetuating the problem, keeping it around, because they found something to monetize?”
Jahns concluded to say that all in all, he had a “good time and some good laughs” while watching “Am I Racist?”
The film currently has a 99% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes and no critic&#8217;s score. “Am I Racist?” is <a href="https://www.amiracist.com/?_gl=1*1orjxp8*_gcl_aw*R0NMLjE3MjE3NTYxNzAuQ2p3S0NBandxZjIwQmhCd0Vpd0F0N2R0ZFgyTkE1Z3RmazgwZXNuY1QyRVVvMXBOZEhxRzAwdWRGS0ozTFMzWWNsUzVnVkswSmFtdTlCb0M5R1FRQXZEX0J3RQ..*_gcl_au*MTU5NzI4NjQ0Ny4xNzIxMTYzNDAz*_ga*MTY5NTQ0MDk1Ny4xNzIxMTYzNDAz*_ga_CZKR9ZYKJP*MTcyNjMzMzM0Ni4xMDEuMS4xNzI2MzM0NDQyLjU5LjAuMA..">now playing</a> at theaters nationwide.

Jeremy Jahns

YouTuber Jeremy Jahns Ripped For Daring To Review ‘Am I Racist?’

YouTuber Jeremy Jahns Ripped For Daring To Review 'Am I Racist?'

Am I Racist

Film Reviews

Matt Walsh

Movies

Last September, Morning Consult released <a href="https://pro.morningconsult.com/analyst-reports/influencer-marketing-trends-report?utm_source=mc_comms_outreach&amp;utm_medium=mc_comms_referral&amp;utm_campaign=influencer_report" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a report</a> that concluded 57% of Gen Z wants to become influencers and make that their career. As they all scroll Instagram and TikTok, they see what appears to be lavish lifestyles, fun “get ready with me” videos, and lackadaisical “day in the life” vlogs in which the most challenging part of the day is a 5:00 a.m. pilates class. They watch as 23-year-olds buy houses in the Hamptons and drive 2024 Range Rovers around town.
But what if that all comes crashing down? What happens when you lose your relevance or when audiences decide they’ve seen too much content? Sometimes, people who become incredibly but fleetingly popular on social media are not able to launch into more mainstream fame — so they fizzle out. Jason Nash is a prime example.
In the early 2010s, actor and stand-up comic Jason Nash became friends with YouTuber David Dobrik, joined his “vlog squad,” and soared with it to the height of its popularity. But a few years ago, Dobrik and his entire group fell from grace, and the vlog squad dissolved. Now, Dobrik owns a pizza parlor, and Nash asks for money on live TikToks.
<div id="attachment_776033" style="width: 303px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@kicks.and.gigs.re/video/7306327655106825503" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-776033" class="wp-image-776033 size-full" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/08/tiktok-abc.png" alt="Source: tiktok.com/@kicks.and.gigs.re" width="293" height="512" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/08/tiktok-abc.png 293w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/08/tiktok-abc-172x300.png 172w" sizes="(max-width: 293px) 100vw, 293px" /></a>Source: tiktok.com/@kicks.and.gigs.re</div>
When someone is live on TikTok, viewers can send you “gifts,” like roses or other little emojis that turn into actual money for the creator who receives them. As a result, Nash goes live everyday doing random things so people will send him gifts (i.e., money).
This is a man who was once making millions on YouTube. He was producing shows with Dobrik, starring in &#8220;Funny or Die&#8221; videos, but now, he is attempting to hold onto any of his leftover relevancy to make money. Of course, the comments are ruthless, with some people hypothesizing that Dobrik’s pensions ran out, feeling sorry for Nash’s kids, and comparing this to “asking for money on the street.”
<div class="image"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-776065 aligncenter" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/08/tiktok-comment-1.png" alt="" width="512" height="95" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/08/tiktok-comment-1.png 512w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/08/tiktok-comment-1-300x56.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px" /></div>
<div class="image"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-776053 aligncenter" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/08/tiktok-2.png" alt="" width="512" height="104" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/08/tiktok-2.png 512w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/08/tiktok-2-300x61.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px" /></div>
<div id="attachment_776055" style="width: 522px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-776055" class="wp-image-776055 size-full" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/08/tiktok-3.png" alt="" width="512" height="151" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/08/tiktok-3.png 512w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/08/tiktok-3-300x88.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px" />Source: TikTok</div>
Nash’s TikTok lives have gotten to the point they are just sad, uncomfortable, and embarrassing. He’s angry, occasionally sad, and sometimes even cries. 
<div id="attachment_776069" style="width: 303px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@namikazej117/video/7347579705391844651?q=jason%20nash%20livestream&amp;t=1720619273885" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-776069" class="wp-image-776069 size-full" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/08/tiktok-5.png" alt="Source: tiktok.com/@namikazej117" width="293" height="512" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/08/tiktok-5.png 293w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/08/tiktok-5-172x300.png 172w" sizes="(max-width: 293px) 100vw, 293px" /></a>Source: tiktok.com/@namikazej117</div>
The comments just continue, going so far as to name this virtual panhandling. One commenter flat said they want to see him get “an actual job.” 
<div class="image"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-776059 aligncenter" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/08/tiktok-6.png" alt="" width="512" height="88" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/08/tiktok-6.png 512w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/08/tiktok-6-300x52.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px" /></div>
<div class="image"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-776061 aligncenter" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/08/tiktok-7.png" alt="" width="512" height="106" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/08/tiktok-7.png 512w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/08/tiktok-7-300x62.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px" /></div>
<div id="attachment_776063" style="width: 522px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-776063" class="wp-image-776063 size-full" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/08/tiktok-8.png" alt="Source: TikTok" width="512" height="105" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/08/tiktok-8.png 512w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/08/tiktok-8-300x62.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px" />Source: TikTok</div>
I think that’s a challenge everyone wants him to attempt — everyone except Jason, that is. 
<h4><a href="https://www.dailywire.com/episode/when-your-5-seconds-of-fame-runs-out-member-exclusive" target="_blank" rel="noopener">WATCH: The Comments Section with Brett Cooper</a></h4>
In a recent podcast, he was confronted about “getting a real job,” and he responded that he doesn’t have any skills and has no interests outside of entertainment. Apparently, he seems to look down on normal jobs. 
<div id="attachment_776077" style="width: 296px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@spillsometeawithme1/video/7388951231957323039?lang=en" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-776077" class="wp-image-776077 size-full" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/08/tiktok-9.png" alt="Source: tiktok.com/@spillsometeawithme1" width="286" height="512" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/08/tiktok-9.png 286w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/08/tiktok-9-168x300.png 168w" sizes="(max-width: 286px) 100vw, 286px" /></a>Source: tiktok.com/@spillsometeawithme1</div>
He gives excuse after excuse as to why he is not seeking gainful employment. If he were being honest, he would say, “I’m lazy, and I think I’m too good to work a ‘normal job.’” Because he most definitely has the skills to be a DoorDash driver or work at a retail store. Furthermore, good, hard-working people work those jobs. He needs to grow up, and the commenters agree:
<div class="image"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-776079 aligncenter" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/08/tiktok-10.png" alt="" width="512" height="113" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/08/tiktok-10.png 512w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/08/tiktok-10-300x66.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px" /></div>
<div id="attachment_776085" style="width: 522px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-776085" class="wp-image-776085 size-full" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/08/tiktok-11.png" alt="Source: TikTok" width="512" height="104" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/08/tiktok-11.png 512w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/08/tiktok-11-300x61.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px" />Source: TikTok</div>
Nash got famous in his 30s, so he had to be doing something before that. Struggling actors all have a side job, so he is bound to have some kind of skill. Some of the comments offer elements of personal responsibility and common sense: 
<div id="attachment_776089" style="width: 522px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-776089" class="wp-image-776089 size-full" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/08/tiktok-13.png" alt="Source: TikTok" width="512" height="110" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/08/tiktok-13.png 512w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/08/tiktok-13-300x64.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px" />Source: TikTok</div>
To Nash’s explanation of why he is not in real estate, one commenter explained the gap in understanding:
<div id="attachment_776091" style="width: 522px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-776091" class="wp-image-776091 size-full" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/08/tiktok-14.png" alt="Source: TikTok" width="512" height="110" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/08/tiktok-14.png 512w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/08/tiktok-14-300x64.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px" />Source: TikTok</div>
Jason Nash’s journey to and fall from influencer fame should serve as a cautionary tale to everyone. If you are in a fickle, unstable business, know that — and handle your money responsibly. Then, squelch your ego and be realistic. Life comes for everyone, and no one is immune. And when hard times come, you should never look down on the work that every normal person does.
This brings me to the Hawk Tuah girl, the details of whose story I will skip over, but in short form, a girl went insanely viral after her man-on-the-street interview: 
<div id="attachment_776095" style="width: 307px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@ahpositive/video/7383483959180643617?q=hawk%20tuah&amp;t=1720620541704" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-776095" class="wp-image-776095 size-full" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/08/tiktok-15.png" alt="Source: tiktok.com/@ahpositive" width="297" height="471" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/08/tiktok-15.png 297w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/08/tiktok-15-189x300.png 189w" sizes="(max-width: 297px) 100vw, 297px" /></a>Source: tiktok.com/@ahpositive</div>
My concern for this girl stems from watching Jason Nash and people whose fleeting fame lands them in hardship. In an interview she did with Barstool, she explained she has quit her job to move to LA to be a celebrity. She states, “I think we’re going to do like a show and then we’re just gonna be like on a bunch of podcasts and everything else in between.” After a seven-second viral clip, she has a whole team now. And she plans to figure it out as she goes but “there’s more to come.” 
<div id="attachment_776099" style="width: 298px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@barstoolsports/video/7386722110770548011?q=hawk%20tuah%20interview&amp;t=1720618016839" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-776099" class="wp-image-776099 size-full" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/08/tiktok-16.png" alt="Source: tiktok.com/@barstoolsports" width="288" height="512" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/08/tiktok-16.png 288w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/08/tiktok-16-169x300.png 169w" sizes="(max-width: 288px) 100vw, 288px" /></a>Source: tiktok.com/@barstoolsports</div>
I would love to have a word with whomever is advising her. She is doing documentary-style videos on TikTok, selling Hawk Tuah merch, but simultaneously doing press saying she does not want to be known for that. This all seems like a recipe for disaster, but at the end of the day, it’s her life — go for it if you want, take the leap, but I hope she will keep some humility as she leaps.
That said, I kept my Trader Joe’s employee name tag, and I will absolutely march right back in if need be. Being an influencer or content creator does not excuse anyone from the realities of life.

DW_CommentSection_pt2_0198RT (1) copy

When The 15 Minutes Run Out, What Happens Next?

Brett Cooper

Gen Z

Instagram

Readers Pass

Social Media

TikTok

Unemployment

<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/youtube">YouTube</a> star MrBeast, whose real name is Jimmy Donaldson, addressed allegations that one of his longtime employees had engaged in the grooming of a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/crime">minor</a> approximately eight years ago. 
Donaldson posted a lengthy statement on X following pressure from his followers to comment on the situation. Kris Tyson, a 28-year-old <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/lgbtq">trans-identifying</a> man and sidekick on the popular YouTube channel, became a topic of conversation after taking cross-sex hormones, changing his name to “Ava,” and leaving his wife and four-year-old son. Now, there are accusations that he had inappropriate conversations with a 13-year-old boy several years ago. 
“Over the last few days, I’ve become aware of the serious allegations of Ava Tyson’s behavior online and I am disgusted and opposed to such unacceptable acts,” Donaldson <a href="https://x.com/MrBeast/status/1816299504674464113">shared</a> with his 30.7 million X followers. 
“During that time, I have been focused on hiring an independent third party to conduct a thorough investigation to ensure I have all the facts,” the post continued. “That said, I’ve seen enough online and taken immediate action to remove Ava from the company, my channel, and any association with MrBeast. I do not condone or support any of the inappropriate actions.”
Donaldson concluded, “I will allow the independent investigators the necessary time to conduct a comprehensive investigation and will take any further actions based on their findings.”
The accusations came from a group of YouTubers who accused Tyson, who was 20 at the time of the alleged incident, of messaging a minor and referencing nude photos, sex topics, and anime pornography, per <a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/mrbeast-ava-kris-tyson-grooming-allegations-1235957588/">The Hollywood Reporter</a>. Discord, X, and YouTube users surfaced public messages between Tyson and the then-minor.
The alleged minor in question, who is now an adult and posts under the screen name LavaGS, defended Tyson and their online relationship.
“These videos are massive lies and twisting the truth. Ava never did anything wrong and just made a few edgy jokes. I was never exploited or taken advantage of,” LavaGS <a href="https://x.com/LavaGS/status/1815429514614501500">posted</a> on Monday. “Nothing bad happened between me and Kris, people are creating lies around my name.”
Tyson also defended himself following the backlash and denied any claims of sexual misconduct. “I humbly apologize to anyone I have hurt with my unacceptable social media posts, past actions, and to those who may feel betrayed by how I used to act online,” the YouTuber shared on X Wednesday.
MrBeast is the top channel on YouTube, with more than 305 million subscribers.

MrBeast and Kris Tyson

‘I Am Disgusted’: MrBeast Addresses Grooming Allegations Against Trans-Identifying Sidekick

Celebrities

Children

Sexual Misconduct

Transgender

Kris Tyson, a trans-identifying man and sidekick on the wildly popular Mr. Beast <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/youtube" target="_blank" rel="noopener">YouTube</a> channel, is leaving the channel for good in the wake of accusations that he had sexually inappropriate conversations with a 13-year-old boy years ago.
Mr. Beast is the top channel on YouTube with more than 305 million subscribers. Videos with titles like, &#8220;7 Days Stranded At Sea&#8221; and &#8220;Face Your Biggest Fear To Win $800,000,&#8221; regularly get hundreds of millions of views.
Tyson, 28, who now goes by Ava, sparked controversy last year when he <a href="https://people.com/mrbeast-kris-tyson-comes-out-as-transgender-7564588" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> that he identified as a woman and was taking cross-sex hormones. He separated from his wife and son, now four.
&#8220;I would like to apologize for any of my past behavior or comments if it hurt or offended anyone. It was not my intent. Seeing recent events we’ve mutually decided it’s best I permanently step away from all things MrBeast and social media to focus on my family and mental health,&#8221; Tyson wrote Tuesday in a post on X.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
I would like to apologize for any of my past behavior or comments if it hurt or offended anyone. It was not my intent. Seeing recent events we’ve mutually decided it’s best I permanently step away from all things MrBeast and social media to focus on my family and mental health.
&mdash; Ava Kris Tyson (@kristyson_) <a href="https://twitter.com/kristyson_/status/1815832898089423260?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 23, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Kris Tyson literally abandoned his family to chase after a f3tish. Are we shocked at the allegations? Not in the slightest.
Mr. Beast has some explaining to do. <a href="https://t.co/YrRye4pJoQ">pic.twitter.com/YrRye4pJoQ</a>
&mdash; End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) <a href="https://twitter.com/EndWokeness/status/1815876845612716051?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 23, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Tyson added that he &#8220;never groomed anyone,&#8221; but does not want the accusations to &#8220;impact the hundreds of people who work at MrBeast, which is why I have stepped away.&#8221;
&#8220;Having said that, I humbly apologise to anyone I have hurt with my unacceptable social media posts, past actions, and to those who may feel betrayed by how I used to act online,&#8221; Tyson wrote. &#8220;To lump these two factors together to create a narrative that my behavior extended beyond bad edgy jokes is disgusting and did not happen. In past years, I have learned that my old humor is not acceptable. I cannot change who I was, but I can continue to work on myself.&#8221;
Tyson also <a href="https://x.com/kristyson_" target="_blank" rel="noopener">deleted</a> all of his X posts except his apology thread.
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The accusations against Tyson came from another YouTuber, Prism42, who <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8TJFbr6Gd0" target="_blank" rel="noopener">posted</a> a 45-minute video last month going through alleged evidence of a 20-year-old Tyson having inappropriate online interactions with a minor boy for years starting when the boy was 13. <a href="https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/ava-kris-tyson-leaves-mrbeast-transphobic-attacks-1235066275/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">According</a> to the video, the young fan won a competition at 13 and Tyson became friends with him, making inappropriate sexual comments to the teen and even co-running a Discord server with him. The conversations allegedly involved Tyson joking about sending nudes and the teen referencing Tyson&#8217;s addiction to &#8220;hentai&#8221; or sexually explicit anime. Other sleuths then <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5iHAh3TvQxA" target="_blank" rel="noopener">discovered</a> that Tyson <a href="https://insider-gaming.com/ava-kris-tyson-predator-allegations/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">allegedly</a> interacted multiple times with an artist known for drawing young characters in sexual positions.
The alleged victim, who is now 20 and goes by LavaGS on X, defended Tyson, saying he was never a victim and that Tyson&#8217;s messages were sent on public channels, not one-on-one.
&#8220;These videos are massive lies and twisting the truth. Ava never did anything wrong and just made a few edgy jokes. I was never exploited or taken advantage of,&#8221; LavaGS <a href="https://x.com/LavaGS/status/1815429514614501500" target="_blank" rel="noopener">posted</a> on Monday. &#8220;Nothing bad happened between me and Kris, people are creating lies around my name.&#8221;
LavaGS also said he did not meet Tyson by himself, but rather met him and the Mr. Beast crew with his family present, <a href="https://x.com/KEEMSTAR/status/1815452450620338565" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according</a> to the YouTuber Keem, who said he spoke to the alleged victim.
Mr. Beast, whose real name is Jimmy Donaldson, defended Tyson, his childhood friend, last year amid backlash to Tyson&#8217;s announcement that he was on cross-sex hormones.
&#8220;Yeah, this is getting absurd. Chris isn’t my &#8216;nightmare&#8217; he’s my f***en friend and things are fine. All this transphobia is starting to piss me off,&#8221; Donaldson <a href="https://x.com/MrBeast/status/1646552879136636936?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1646552879136636936%7Ctwgr%5Ea0520b3ae3a5087945a9c6253db34393b6da0227%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rollingstone.com%2Fculture%2Fculture-news%2Fmrbeast-transphobic-critics-chris-tyson-1234714626%2F" target="_blank" rel="noopener">posted</a>.
Last month, Donaldson defended Tyson again, saying he is &#8220;literally always&#8221; with his son and &#8220;doesn’t even go on shoots to spend more time with him.&#8221;
Critics have pointed out that children are among Mr. Beast&#8217;s audience, with some arguing that it is not appropriate to expose them to gender ideology.

Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards 2023 – Arrivals

Trans-Identifying Mr. Beast Sidekick Steps Away From YouTube Amid Allegations Of Sexual Conversations With Minor

Crime

Gender

LGBTQ

House Republicans this week demanded documents from YouTube as part of an investigation into who pressured it to change its policies to prohibit certain videos involving guns.
The House Judiciary Committee and the Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government <a href="https://judiciary.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/republicans-judiciary.house.gov/files/evo-media-document/2024-06-18%20JDJ%20to%20Donovan%20-%20YouTube%20re%20firearms%20policy%20update.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">wrote</a> to lawyers for Alphabet, the parent company of Google and Youtube, saying that information suggests that “YouTube’s decision to change its firearms policy may have been influenced by government officials and third parties interested in suppressing certain Second Amendment-related content.”
On Tuesday, <a href="https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/7667605?hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noopener">new YouTube policies</a> went into effect pertaining to videos about firearms, saying that “certain content showing how to remove safety devices will be prohibited. Content showing the use of homemade firearms, automatic firearms, and certain firearm accessories will be age restricted.”
Manhattan District Attorney <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-prosecutor-alvin-bragg-attended-fundraiser-for-group-that-fought-to-keep-trump-off-ballot" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Alvin Bragg</a>, the far-left prosecutor who targeted former President Donald Trump, said the change was “<a href="https://manhattanda.org/d-a-bragg-applauds-youtube-for-changing-firearm-content-guidelines-in-response-to-advocacy-from-office/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">in response to</a> advocacy” from his office.
The line of questioning highlights a pattern in which the government seemingly circumvents the First Amendment by manipulating private companies, who are not required to respect free speech in the same way the government is. 
Judiciary Committee Chairman Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) said that documents obtained by the committee showed that “the federal government has pressured Alphabet to censor certain content, including content that did not violate YouTube’s content moderation policies.”
His letter says a subpoena issued in February 2023 compelled “Alphabet to produce communications between Alphabet and the Executive Branch, internal Alphabet communications discussing communications from the Executive Branch, and Alphabet communications with third parties that may have been working with the Executive Branch,” and that the subpoena was “continuing in nature.”
“To develop effective legislation, such as the possible enactment of new statutory limits on the Executive Branch’s ability to work with Big Tech to restrict the circulation of content and deplatform users, the Committee and the Select Subcommittee must first understand how and to what extent the Executive Branch coerced and colluded with companies and other intermediaries to censor speech,” it said.
YouTube did not immediately return a request for comment.
The Daily Wire and The Federalist are <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/federal-judge-slaps-down-biden-administrations-attempt-to-dismiss-daily-wire-censorship-lawsuit" target="_blank" rel="noopener">suing</a> the State Department for a similar move, arguing that when the government uses private companies as its proxies, it is still violating the Constitution.
U.S. District Judge Jeremy D. Kernodle rejected early motions by the government, recalling that &#8220;if there is any fixed star in our constitutional constellation, it is that no official, high or petty, can prescribe what shall be orthodox in politics, nationalism, religion, or other matters of opinion or force citizens to confess by word or act their faith therein.&#8221;
The House Small Business Committee says the State Department is <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/state-department-subpoenaed-over-use-of-foreign-propaganda-weapon-against-domestic-media" target="_blank" rel="noopener">hiding records</a> showing the extent of its ties to firms like NewsGuard and the Global Disinformation Index, which make lists of news outlets that are used as blacklists by advertisers.
The House Oversight Committee is also <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/congress-to-probe-media-rating-firm-newsguard-for-possible-taxpayer-funded-censorship" target="_blank" rel="noopener">focused</a> on NewsGuard, which has received federal money.
Jordan&#8217;s committee is also honed in on the Global Alliance for Responsible Media <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/misinformation-honcho-says-jim-jordan-is-assaulting-ad-industry-by-asking-for-documents-that-could-prove-partisan-bias" target="_blank" rel="noopener">(GARM)</a>, part of a trade group consisting of major companies that run advertisements, and which he says may have violated antitrust laws by having the companies coordinate to blacklist conservative news outlets.

Big Tech Logos

Congress’ Censorship-By-Proxy Probe Explores Government’s Role In New YouTube Policies

Jim Jordan

Social Media Censorship

The cause of <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/death">death</a> for YouTube personality Benny Potter, better known to his millions of subscribers as <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/celebrities">Comicstorian</a>, has been revealed.
The late <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/entertainment">content creator’s</a> wife announced Saturday that Potter, 40, had died unexpectedly but shared no details beyond that. It has now been made public that the YouTuber died as the result of a single-vehicle car crash in Colorado.
The Colorado State Patrol and the Fort Collins Coroner’s Office both released statements regarding Potter’s death, per <a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/benny-comicstorian-potter-cause-death-vehicle-crash-1235921461/">The Hollywood Reporter</a>.
The report said Potter was driving southbound on I-25 near mile 267.5 at 9:19 a.m. on June 8 when his Toyota 4Runner drifted off the right shoulder and rolled several times, per the Colorado State Patrol. He died at the scene.
The police noted that Potter was wearing a seatbelt when the car crashed and said no one else was in the vehicle. There were also no other vehicles involved. The report also noted that authorities do not believe drugs, alcohol, or speeding were likely to be reasons for the accident.
Potter became famous on YouTube and boasted more than 3 million subscribers for content focused on comic topics, especially in the Marvel and DC universes. Comicstorian had been a member of the video-sharing community for more than a decade and had posted more than 4,000 videos over that time span.
Potter’s wife, Natalie, initially shared the news of his passing on X. 
“To many of you, he was Comicstorian, voicing stories from across multiple different mediums. To his loved ones, he was one of the best and most supportive individuals anyone could ask for,” <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/popular-youtube-star-dies-at-40-from-unfortunate-accident-wife-tells-fans">she wrote</a>. 
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“As a husband, a son, a brother, a friend, or even just a stranger, Ben was loving and genuine. He was someone who would listen and make time for his loved ones. He would do his best to make everyone laugh and make sure they were okay. He was our rock and he’d reassure his loved ones whenever they needed it,” the YouTube star’s wife added.
“His channel was one of his greatest accomplishments, and while we all need our time to mourn him, I know he wouldn’t want it to end like this,” she wrote, describing her late husband as someone who “spent over 10 years spreading his love and appreciation for his hobbies. It was through his love of exciting stories and well-written characters that got him started on YouTube.”
“The team and I want to keep that going. To honor him by continuing to tell great stories by great people, as well as to keep the memory of our very own superhero alive,” Nathalie wrote at the end of the message. “We supported each other on everything we wanted to do and I’m not about to stop now.”

Comicstorian

Cause Of Death For Popular ‘Comicstorian’ YouTube Creator, 40, Revealed

Cause Of Death For Popular 'Comicstorian' YouTube Creator, 40, Revealed

Colorado

Death

A popular <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/youtube">YouTube</a> star has <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/death">died</a> unexpectedly at the age of 40, as his wife shared with his more than 3 million subscribers. 
The streamer who went by the name <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/entertainment">Comicstorian</a>, real name Ben Potter, died on Saturday as the result of &#8220;an unfortunate accident,&#8221; his wife Nathalie shared in a lengthy <a href="https://x.com/Comicstorian/status/1800270554999484714">update</a> on X.
&#8220;To many of you, he was Comicstorian, voicing stories from across multiple different mediums. To his loved ones, he was one of the best and most supportive individuals anyone could ask for,&#8221; she wrote. 
&#8220;As a husband, a son, a brother, a friend, or even just a stranger, Ben was loving and genuine. He was someone who would listen and make time for his loved ones. He would do his best to make everyone laugh and make sure they were okay. He was our rock and he&#8217;d reassure his loved ones whenever they needed it,&#8221; the YouTube star’s wife went on.
Nathalie added, &#8220;I need time to be with friends and family. I have so many things I need to figure out but firstly, I need to grieve. I ask that you respect my privacy as well as everyone else&#8217;s. Right now my priority is preserving everything he&#8217;s built and I don&#8217;t have any plans beyond that.&#8221;
&#8220;His channel was one of his greatest accomplishments, and while we all need our time to mourn him, I know he wouldn&#8217;t want it to end like this,&#8221; she wrote, describing her late husband as someone who &#8220;spent over 10 years spreading his love and appreciation for his hobbies. It was through his love of exciting stories and well-written characters that got him started on YouTube.&#8221;
&#8220;The team and I want to keep that going. To honor him by continuing to tell great stories by great people, as well as to keep the memory of our very own superhero alive,&#8221; Nathalie wrote at the end of the message. &#8220;We supported each other on everything we wanted to do and I&#8217;m not about to stop now.&#8221;
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Potter had posted more than 4,000 videos on YouTube before his death. The <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmA-0j6DRVQWo4skl8Otkiw">latest upload</a>, “Why DC&#8217;s Reboots Beat Marvel,” was shared one day before he died.
He was a self-described comic nerd who also made audio dramas for his channel, in addition to sharing opinions and reviews of comic products, especially those from Marvel and DC.
There was a massive outpouring of love online following the YouTuber’s death. Ice Cube’s son O’Shea Jackson Jr. <a href="https://x.com/OsheaJacksonJr/status/1800336132661772313">wrote</a> on X, &#8220;I am still taking my break from Twitter for personal reasons. But with the news I just got I have to come back say something. Rest in Peace to Comicstorian. I’m heartbroken to hear this news. One of my favorite follows on YouTube, thank you so much for your work man I was a huge fan.&#8221;
&#8220;Prayers to his loved ones. Long live Ben Potter,&#8221; he continued. &#8220;Yall be good. Hold your loved ones tight. I’ll see yall soon I hope.&#8221;

Popular YouTube Star Dies At 40 From ‘Unfortunate Accident,’ Wife Tells Fans

Popular YouTube Star Dies At 40 From 'Unfortunate Accident,' Wife Tells Fans 

Conservative media organization <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/prageru" target="_blank" rel="noopener">PragerU</a> was kicked off of the Google Play store on Friday shortly after it released its documentary &#8220;<a href="https://www.prageru.com/video/dear-infidels" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dear Infidels: A Warning to America,</a>&#8221; but the Big Tech company said the suspension was a mistake.
Google notified PragerU that it had violated its “hate speech policy,” according to a screenshot shared by the conservative non-profit, and the app was booted from Android users&#8217; mobile store, The Jerusalem Post <a href="https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/prageru-booted-from-google-s-play-store-for-violating-hate-speech-policy/ar-BB1nQz64" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported</a>. The Big Tech giant also told PragerU that its app went under a review, which found &#8220;content or speech asserting that a protected group is inhuman, inferior or worthy of being hated.”
Hours later, however, Google said that the app had been reinstated &#8220;after further re-review,&#8221; and a Google spokesman told <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/technology/3033442/google-lifts-suspension-on-conservative-content-app-initiated-in-error/#google_vignette" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Washington Examiner</a> that the suspension was made in error.
“In an email from Google, they said our recently removed app is now available ‘after further re-review,'&#8221; PragerU <a href="https://x.com/prageru/status/1799216136346833402" target="_blank" rel="noopener">wrote</a> on X. “Thank you to all of our amazing supporters who helped publicize this issue to force Google to reverse their earlier decision to remove our app from the store entirely.”
The new documentary that PragerU suspected was the reason for Google&#8217;s suspension of its app &#8220;features first-hand accounts from those who escaped Islamic rule and have come to warn America.&#8221;
&#8220;Radical Islam poses a significant threat to our freedom,&#8221; the documentary description states. &#8220;The rise of anti-American rhetoric and violence in cities and universities is a direct result of the indoctrination led by those perpetrating a religious war against the West.&#8221;
PragerU, which was started by conservative writer and radio show host Dennis Prager, has been targeted by Google and YouTube in the past. The organization has sued the Big Tech platforms &#8220;for restricting over 200 videos, including videos on the Ten Commandments, which continue to be restricted by YouTube today,&#8221; PragerU said.
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PragerU <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/186684/prager-university-loses-first-amendment-censorship-appeal-against-big-tech/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">lost</a> its 2017 First Amendment lawsuit against Google after the conservative organization argued that YouTube was favoring Left-wing channels over PragerU&#8217;s channel.

Google Play Store

Google Claims Conservative Content Booted From Play Store In Error

Big Tech

Censorship

Google

PragerU

Daily Wire host <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/author/matt-walsh" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Matt Walsh</a> offered a strong message to conservative parents Saturday after a popular YouTuber for young children posted a Pride Month video, in which she made clear that promoting the LGBT agenda is more important to her than keeping conservative viewers.
Walsh made his comments in response to a video posted Saturday, the first day of June, by Ms. Rachel, a popular YouTuber with nearly 10 million subscribers, who makes educational content for babies and toddlers.
“Happy pride to all of our wonderful families and friends! This month and every month, I celebrate you. I’m so glad you’re here. I’m so glad you’re exactly who you are,” Ms. Rachel said in the video, posted to her TikTok account, “MsRachelForLittles.”
“To those who are going to comment they can’t watch this show anymore because of this support, no worries and much love your way. God bless. I am not chasing fame or views, I’m standing strong in love,” the popular YouTuber went on to say.
“This is a message to conservative parents. She doesn’t want your business,” Walsh responded in a post on X that featured the video. “You should respond accordingly.”
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Ms. Rachel is an extremely popular YouTuber who makes content for babies and toddlers. She just posted a video celebrating Pride Month. This is a message to conservatives parents. She doesn’t want your business. You should respond accordingly. <a href="https://t.co/1YE5ZAs8mR">pic.twitter.com/1YE5ZAs8mR</a>
— Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog) <a href="https://twitter.com/MattWalshBlog/status/1797069768677105798?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 2, 2024</a></blockquote>
Daily Wire co-founder Jeremy Boreing responded to Walsh&#8217;s post by noting that more and more children&#8217;s content creators, like Ms. Rachel, are abandoning conservative audiences and embracing the LGBT agenda.
&#8220;We know millions of parents feel betrayed by beloved children’s shows and stars like Ms. Rachel, and this is sure to be only the first of many disappointments for parents over the next 30 days,&#8221; he said. Boreing went on to note that it is exactly this trend that prompted the Daily Wire&#8217;s parent company to create the children&#8217;s entertainment platform <a href="https://www.bentkey.com">Bentkey</a>.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
We know millions of parents feel betrayed by beloved children’s shows and stars like Ms. Rachel, and this is sure to be only the first of many disappointments for parents over the next 30 days.
But that’s why we created Bentkey. 
⁰If you are feeling the loss of finding out Ms… <a href="https://t.co/nXNd14lDfT">https://t.co/nXNd14lDfT</a>
— Jeremy Boreing (@JeremyDBoreing) <a href="https://twitter.com/JeremyDBoreing/status/1797079694791049284?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 2, 2024</a></blockquote>
Ms. Rachel has built a career and a massive audience making a range of educational videos for young children and even babies, including “<a href="https://youtu.be/hTqtGJwsJVE">Baby Learning with Ms. Rachel</a>,” “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkYved-ucGg">Learn to Talk with Ms. Rachel</a>,” and “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwL2o4jZxbc&amp;list=PLEeIyWKd-HQ7_u77di-OuLUAOL4QYKYLw">Baby’s First Words with Ms. Rachel</a>.”
Jules Hoffman, a frequent collaborator with Ms. Rachel, received backlash last year over her request that others refer to her with the <a href="https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/amp/family/story/star-ms-rachel-videos-kids-responds-backlash-pronoun-97587761" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pronouns</a> “they” and “them.”
Ms. Rachel went on to take a “<a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcna73005" target="_blank" rel="noopener">mental health break</a>” over the ordeal, citing “hurtful videos and comments” from those who disagreed with the use of the “they/them” pronouns.

Ms. Rachel

Matt Walsh Fires Back After Ms. Rachel Posts Pride Month Video: ‘She Doesn’t Want Your Business’

Pride Month

Social Issues

Teens and kids are not the only ones glued to their social media feeds anymore — the vast majority of adults spend time scrolling too.
Data released earlier this year shows that a majority of American adults use some kind of social media, but their habits and preferred platforms are different from younger users.
YouTube and Facebook are both about two decades old now, but they remain the top two platforms among adults.
YouTube is by far the most widely used platform among adults as well as teens. About eight in 10 American adults, 83%, say they have used the video-sharing platform at some point, according to recent <a href="https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2024/01/31/americans-social-media-use/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">data</a> from the Pew Research Center, which polled more than 5,700 adults between May and September last year.
<div id="attachment_707565" style="width: 347px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-707565" class="size-large wp-image-707565" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/03/PI_2024.01.31_Social-Media-use_00_01-337x576.webp" alt="" width="337" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/03/PI_2024.01.31_Social-Media-use_00_01-337x576.webp 337w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/03/PI_2024.01.31_Social-Media-use_00_01-175x300.webp 175w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/03/PI_2024.01.31_Social-Media-use_00_01.webp 620w" sizes="(max-width: 337px) 100vw, 337px" />Pew Research.</div>
Facebook is not far behind with a majority of U.S. adults, 68%, saying they use it. By contrast, teens have fled Facebook over the past decade as their parents, relatives, teachers, and other adults have joined. In 2022, only 32% of teens <a href="https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2022/08/10/teens-social-media-and-technology-2022/#The-social-media-landscape-has-shifted" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> they had ever used Facebook, down from 71% in 2015.
Instagram, which is owned by Facebook, has attracted about half of adults with 47% saying they use the image-based platform.
<div id="attachment_707569" style="width: 840px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-707569" class="size-large wp-image-707569" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/03/PJ_2022.08.10_teens-and-tech_0-08-830x576.webp" alt="" width="830" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/03/PJ_2022.08.10_teens-and-tech_0-08-830x576.webp 830w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/03/PJ_2022.08.10_teens-and-tech_0-08-300x208.webp 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/03/PJ_2022.08.10_teens-and-tech_0-08-768x533.webp 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/03/PJ_2022.08.10_teens-and-tech_0-08.webp 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 830px) 100vw, 830px" />Pew Research.</div>
About a fifth of adults say they use Twitter, which was recently renamed X and is known for fast-moving discourse especially relating to politics and pop culture. A fifth also say they use Reddit, known for its hyper-specific communities and sometimes NSFW content.
Of course, TikTok has exploded in popularity in recent years, especially among teens and kids, but a third of adults have flocked to the video-sharing platform as well.
TikTok has seen a 12-point spike in adult users since 2021, while the percentages of adults who use YouTube and Facebook, the most popular platforms, have stayed about the same since 2021.
However, about half of TikTok&#8217;s adult users are observers only, meaning they have never posted a video themselves. This includes younger adults aged 18 to 34 — only half have ever posted a video.
Because of this, the vast majority of TikTok&#8217;s content is created by a small share of users. The top 25% of adults on TikTok produce 98% of that group&#8217;s publicly available videos.
The typical adult TikTok user has also left their &#8220;bio&#8221; blank on their account.
More people are now getting their news from TikTok too. Last year, about 14% of adults said they got news regularly from TikTok, more than four times the 3% who said so in 2020.
TikTok&#8217;s pivot to a news source echoes Twitter&#8217;s evolution, which has become many people&#8217;s go-to source for up-to-the-minute news updates.
Communities geared towards adult users, such as parenting content and even X-rated content, have popped up on many of the platforms popular with adults.
Meanwhile among teens, YouTube is the most popular platform with 95% of teens <a href="https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2022/08/10/teens-social-media-and-technology-2022/#The-social-media-landscape-has-shifted" target="_blank" rel="noopener">saying</a> in 2022 that they use it, followed by TikTok with 67% of teens, Instagram with 62%, and then Snapchat, an app used to send disappearing photos and messages, with 59%.
Teen girls are more likely to use Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat, while teen boys are more likely to use Reddit and Twitch, a self-streaming platform often used by video gamers.
The average social media user is also not just on one platform but uses an eye-popping six or seven platforms every month.
Overall, we&#8217;re all scrolling more. Across the globe last year, about 4.9 billion people <a href="https://www.forbes.com/advisor/business/social-media-statistics/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">used</a> social media, and that number continues to climb.

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Among Adults, This Is By Far The Most Popular Social Media Platform

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I have become fascinated with the Ruby Franke case. I have not publicly discussed the case because when the story broke months ago, I was not convinced that more commentary would be beneficial to add to the discussion, namely because this story was quite dark. However, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MKNgVX6u34">the statement</a> she gave in her recent court appearance was unexpected.
A Utah-based family, the Frankes became quite popular several years ago via their “8 Passengers” YouTube channel that had over two million subscribers. They fit into the YouTuber families who look like the perfect family — well-dressed, church-going (Mormon), wife, husband, six children. But by June 2020, some of those subscribers started to take note of some strange happenings in the family. Followers began criticizing Ruby Franke’s punishing techniques, they noticed the degree to which she allowed her children to prank one another, and then they realized one of her children was sleeping in a beanbag.
Viewers’ concerns escalated, and some reached out to the local Children Protection Services and went so far as to begin a petition that forcing a child to sleep in a beanbag was too harsh of a punishment. But when Franke was asked about it, she simply said the kid loved it. In 2021, Ruby and Kevin, her husband, began going to counseling with Jodie Hildebrant, a business partner who became her mentor and counselor to her children.
In August of 2022, Franke faced more criticism, this time over a lunch debacle. Her six-year-old daughter had packed a lunch but forgot it. Franke refused to take the lunch to her daughter and let her eat — a punishment obviously way too harsh for a six-year-old.
Police visited the home a few times, but it was not until August of last year when everything exploded. Franke and Hildebrant were arrested after Franke’s 12-year-old son escaped from Hildebrant’s house, ran to a neighbor, and called 911. The boy was entirely malnourished, his limbs had been duct taped, and he had visible injuries.
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Hildebrant had allegedly become a counselor to the children; however, the son later told investigators that Hildebrant put cayenne pepper and honey on wounds he had from being tied with a rope. When the Department of Public Safety arrived at the residence, they found another child, her daughter, in comparable condition who had been subjected to the same mistreatment and abuse. As more details unfolded, more abuse came to light. The mother was apparently telling her children they were possessed, and the children believed their mom. Franke told her daughter that to be absolved from possession, she must be subjected to such treatment.
This entire situation is absolutely infuriating. It involves children. Precious, innocent children. It also involves a parent with a warped brain.
This week, Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrant were sentenced to 30 years in prison — and Franke’s not fighting it. That’s what has made this case so interesting. Typically, lawyers work to get a sentence reduced, but part of the reason this court case has moved so quickly is because she is not fighting the charges. Franke gave a rather surprising <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MKNgVX6u34">statement in front of the court</a> — surprising in that it is uncommon — saying she believes she deserves to go to prison for what she has done.
In her statement, she explains how she got to her delusional way of living, coming to believe the church was against her, the government was against her, and in order to “save” her children, she must inflict these punishments on them. She was working with an exceptionally dark and disturbed woman, Hildebrant, but Franke says it was her own choice to believe what she heard. She apologizes to her husband, thanks the police officers, addresses her parents with sincerity, and pleads to God, saying her greatest desire is to one day stand in God’s courts, spotless and confident. She ends by confirming she knows this is “a necessary step” to learn until she is “ready to re-enter as a contributing member of our beautiful society.”
What Ruby Franke did is horrible. What her children have experienced is an absolute tragedy. Even with cases such as these, we are conditioned to watch people commit atrocious crimes and then explain why we should understand they committed them.
Everyone looks for an excuse and for understanding. But not Franke. Her response is surprising because people don’t take accountability anymore. They do not admit wrongdoing. They do not ask for healing, own their faults, and admit they deserve every single thing thrown at them.
To be clear, regardless of her statement, the victims are the children and that fact can never be removed. But it is a response worth discussing. What an interesting conclusion — and one we never see.
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