The Black Social Media News: Edition #02
The Big Story: New data reveals Black youth are the undisputed "Engine of the Internet" in 2026. This week, we explore why this dominance makes digital sovereignty at Blaqsbi more critical than ever.
Industry Pulse: The Power of the Black Digital Footprint
A groundbreaking report released this month by the Pew Research Center has confirmed what many in our community have felt: Black teens and creators are leading the digital charge.
The Key Stats:
TikTok Dominance: 87% of Black teens use TikTok, compared to just 57% of their White peers.
The "Constant" Connection: Over a third (37%) of Black teens report being on TikTok "almost constantly."
AI Adoption: Black and Hispanic youth are leading AI adoption, with 70% already using AI chatbots for creativity and search.
Why this matters for Blaqsbi: While mainstream platforms profit from this "constant engagement," the value rarely trickles back to the creators. Our mission in 2026 is to ensure that this high level of activity translates into community equity and ownership.
Platform Watch: Spill and the Rise of "Culture-First" AI
Our peers over at Spill are making waves this week as they continue their community investment rounds.
The Trend: Users are no longer just "using" apps; they are owning them. Spill’s success with "MentaliTea" gatherings shows a massive hunger for safer, moderated spaces where Black vernacular isn't just "allowed" but celebrated.
The Blaqsbi Perspective: We see this move toward ownership as a win for the entire Black tech ecosystem. Whether you are in a Huddle here or a Tea Party there, the goal is the same: Independence.
The Blaqsbi Feature: Trust in the Era of "Brain Rot"
2026 has been dubbed the year of "digital trust erosion." With the surge of AI-generated misinformation on legacy platforms, users are suffering from "content burnout."
Building the Future in the Huddle: On Blaqsbi.com, we are countering this trend by doubling down on Human-Centric Curation.
Our Collaborative Partners: We are currently working with partners in the Black Tech Collective to integrate decentralized verification tools.
The Result: When you read a post in the "Black Social Media News" Huddle, you know it’s coming from a verified community member, not a bot farm. We are building the infrastructure so that Black media can be trusted by us, for us.
Huddle Highlights & Challenges
This Week's Challenge: Share a screenshot of your favorite Black-owned business on your feed. Earn 500 Lucks and help us build our directory!
Upcoming Webinar: "Navigating Digital Sovereignty: How to protect your data in 2026." Join us next Tuesday at 7 PM EST.
🗣️ Join the Discussion
Question of the Week: With Black teens spending so much time on TikTok, how can we better redirect that energy into platforms that we actually own?
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