Facebook’s just trying to keep the system running. With billions of people glued to technology behind (literal) closed doors, it’s no surprise that Facebook is seeing a massive spike in activity across its apps. According to Facebook, over the last few weeks, it’s seen: 

• Total messaging increases of more than 50% on WhatsApp and Messenger
• An increase of 70% in Messenger group video calls, and more than double the regular demand for video calls in WhatsApp
• Overall U.S. traffic from Facebook to other websites has increased by more than 50% week-on-week

Why we care: ​​The increased traffic load will undoubtedly put a massive strain on Facebook’s network – an issue Facebook and other tech giants like Amazon, Netflix, and Apple have already been dealing with in the EU. Facebook’s news also pointed to advertiser positions on ad spending: “[W]e’ve seen a weakening in our ads business in countries taking aggressive actions to reduce the spread of COVID-19,” the company said. Source: Facebook

Snapchat app shows who’s winning at staying home. Snapchat’s location-sharing app acquisition Zenly has gamified shelter-in-place during the COVID-19 outbreak, launching a Stay At Home challenge that shows a leaderboard of which friends have spent the most percentage of the last three days in their homes. Users can see who’s social distancing the best and share stickers of the scoreboard and coronavirus prevention tips to Snapchat, Instagram and other apps. Why we care: It’s simple, yet it’s an example of how online platforms can still offer value while encouraging responsible actions during a time of crisis. Source: TechCrunch

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We’ll be sharing daily mindfulness exercises to help us all take some time to decompress during this difficult time. We’d love to share your suggestions, please email me at gmarvin@thirddoormedia.com. 

Thank you to Abby Reimer, senior SEO analyst at Uproer, who sent in today’s exercise: “Sit in an upright position, close your eyes or soften your gaze, and pay attention to every individual sound. You’ll feel grounded in the present moment as you focus solely on what’s happening right now.”

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Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter warn that AI systems could make mistakes – Vox

Troubling signs for out-of-home amid COVID-19 – AdAge

How to Participate in Video Conferencing Calls Without Looking Like a Fool – Digital Marketer

United Nations issues global call to creatives to help spread the word on the coronavirus – The Drum

How to Handle Temporarily Out-of-Stock Product Pages – Moz

How the coronavirus is changing the influencer business, according to marketers and top Instagram and YouTube creators – Business Insider