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🤖 CES 2026: The weird, the wild, and the “why?”
If you thought tech couldn’t get more bizarre, CES 2026 said, “Hold my beer.” The annual expo in Las Vegas has delivered some truly head-scratching innovations this year.
We are talking about an AI-powered “cuddly” panda robot designed for elderly care, a $500 ice maker that uses AI just to be quiet, and…wait for it…a “musical lollipop” that transmits songs like Ice Spice’s latest hit directly into your head via bone conduction. Oh, and Razer wants to put a holographic anime character on your desk to watch you work. It’s futuristic, it’s strange, and it’s definitely something to talk about at the water cooler.
👉 Check out the full list of bizarre tech at TechCrunch.
🚫 Meta deletes 540k teen accounts in Australia
Australia’s strict new social media ban for under 16s is in full effect, and Meta isn’t messing around. The tech giant has confirmed it has already removed approximately 540,000 accounts it believes belong to underage users.
This purge comes as the company tries to align with the new laws that threaten massive fines for platforms that don’t comply. To verify ages moving forward, Meta is looking to implement “AgeKeys”, a digital age verification system stored on devices. It is a massive shift in how the internet works Down Under, and the rest of the world is watching closely.
👉 Read the full report on the ban at Social Media Today.
🎨 Gen Z is taking their taste back from AI
Is the “algorithm” killing personal style? Gen Z seems to think so. A new report from Pinterest highlights a major shift: young users are actively rejecting generic, AI-fed trends in favor of “niche identities” and “micro-aesthetics”.
Instead of passively scrolling, they are treating identity building as “active work,” curating mood boards that reflect specific vibes like “Cool Blue” or “Dark Academia”. The report notes that for this generation, the mainstream is dead, they want agency, safety from toxic comparison, and visual discovery that feels human.
👉 See how Gen Z is reclaiming creativity at the Pinterest Business Blog.
⚽ TikTok scores big with FIFA World Cup partnership
Football is coming home… to your “For You” feed. FIFA has officially named TikTok as its first-ever “Preferred Platform” for the 2026 World Cup.
This partnership is a game-changer for sports coverage. It includes a dedicated “World Cup Hub” within the app, exclusive behind-the-scenes content, and a global creator program that gives influencers access to players and training sessions. With the tournament spanning the US, Canada, and Mexico, TikTok is positioning itself as the stadium for the digital generation.
👉 Get the match details at Social Media Today.
🛑 Countries block Grok over deepfake crisis
Elon Musk’s AI chatbot, Grok, is facing a global backlash. Several countries, including Malaysia and Indonesia, have temporarily suspended access to the tool following reports that it was being used to generate explicit deepfakes and non-consensual imagery.
The controversy has sparked investigations in the EU, UK, and Brazil, with regulators demanding stricter guardrails against “mass undressing” tools and CSAM generation. It is a serious reminder that as AI tools become more powerful, the legal and ethical walls are closing in fast.
👉 Read more about the global crackdown at Mashable.
🗓️ Newsjacking opportunities
Opportunities to celebrate this week:
- Wed 14 Jan – International Kite Day🪁
- Thu 15 Jan – Wikipedia Day🧑💻
- Fri 16 Jan – Hot & Spicy Food Day🌶️
- Sat 17 Jan – Tulip Day🌷
- Sun 18 Jan – World Snow Day❄️
- Mon 19 Jan – Blue Monday💙
- Tue 20 Jan – Cheese Lovers Day🧀
And next…
- Wed 21 Jan – International Playdate Day🧸
- Thu 22 Jan – Polka Dot Day🔴
- Fri 23 Jan – National Pie Day🥧
- Sat 24 Jan – International Day of Education📚
- Sun 25 Jan – Fluoride Day🦷
- Mon 26 Jan – Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day🫧
- Tue 27 Jan – National Geographic Day🗺️
Anything else you would like to discuss and see for next week’s social newsflash? Just share it with me via e-mail or slide in my LinkedIn comments or DM.
And don’t forget to subscribe to our Weekly Social Round Up newsletter so you get this delivered directly into your inbox each week!
Until the next one. XoXo, Erik 👋
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