Technology

Facebook says it's directing users across its platforms to more reliable information from established public health organizations in order to prevent the spread of false content.

Health & Safety

Facebook Steps Up Efforts To Combat The Spread Of Coronavirus Misinformation

9:55pm March 26, 2020

by Emma Bowman

Nick Clegg, vice president of global affairs and communications, says the company will work to remove coronavirus-related information that has the potential to cause physical harm.

The Biggest Distance-Learning Experiment In History: Week One

6:14pm March 26, 2020

by Anya Kamenetz

Districts are scrambling to get remote learning lessons in place. But over half of students live near the poverty line, 14% have a learning disability, and some struggle just to find Internet access.

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National

More Telework Also Means More Porn — And That's Good News For Hackers

11:26am March 26, 2020

by Callum Borchers

Working from home can make employees more vulnerable to hackers — especially if they're browsing websites they wouldn't visit when the boss is watching.

How Facebook Wants To Handle Misinformation Around The Coronavirus Epidemic

4:42pm March 25, 2020

NPR's Ailsa Chang talks with Facebook Vice President of Global Affairs and Communications Nick Clegg about the platform's efforts to stop the spread of misinformation about the coronavirus.

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Former Vice President Joe Biden holds a virtual campaign event on March 13. Since the coronavirus outbreak has grounded campaigning, his staff has spun up a strategy for reaching voters on the internet and TV more aggressively.

Politics & Government

A Grounded Biden Campaign Is Trying To Reach Voters In The Cloud

11:07am March 25, 2020

by Asma Khalid

Often overshadowed online by his rivals, Joe Biden is holding virtual town halls and fundraisers. He's also trying to compete for TV airtime as the country is consumed by a historic crisis.

Researchers at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory are using supercomputers to calculate which drugs may help in the fight against the coronavirus.

Supercomputers Recruited To Hunt For Clues To A COVID-19 Treatment

2:01pm March 24, 2020

by Joe Palca

Scientists hope a machine can do what a person can't: quickly analyze every physical and chemical aspect of the coronavirus and sift through the world's drugs for subtle clues that might prove useful.

A statue of Queen's late singer Freddie Mercury, wearing a protective facemask.

A Playlist Tracking The Many New Tracks Being Written About The Coronavirus

4:43pm March 23, 2020

by Ann Powers

Spotify "data alchemist" Glenn McDonald has been regularly scanning the platform for new songs addressing the crisis, updating his master playlist along the way.

Adam Alter: How Do We Take Back Control Of Our Attention?

9:40am March 20, 2020

by NPR/TED Staff

Within the last decade, we've opted to replace time spent on hobbies, exercise, and conversation with screen time. Social psychologist Adam Alter describes ways we can reclaim our attention.

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Claire Wardle: Why Do We Fall For Misinformation?

9:40am March 20, 2020

by NPR/TED Staff

How does a set of misleading videos online turn into a dangerous health crisis ... all in the span of three days? Claire Wardle discusses the real life consequences of misinformation online.

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As people make efforts to stay apart from each other physically, video games are filling the socializing gap.

National

As Hanging Out Gets Difficult, More People Are Turning To Social Video Games

9:54pm March 19, 2020

by Laurel Wamsley

Online video games are proving popular as people look for a way to socialize during this time of social distancing. Some game developers are even changing games' rules to cater to the new reality.