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Remote tribe gets internet access, immediate porn addiction

I’ve been to the Amazon and experienced its remote wonderland. I remember standing in a lush rainforest, in the warm, humid air, surrounded by the sounds of exotic birds. The people are wonderful and almost childlike in their trusting nature. But let me tell you, I still get chills thinking of the swarms of bullet ants that grow over an inch long, fishing for piranhas and avoiding tons of snakes.

For hundreds of years, the Brazilian Marubo tribe of about 2,000 people has lived deep in one of the most remote parts of the Amazon rainforest, cut off from outsiders and without many modern technologies.

But life for the tribe changed nine months ago, when American entrepreneur Allyson Reneau thought it would be a great idea to give the tribe Elon Musk’s satellite-based Starlink internet access. A few Marubo tribe members had phones they used to take photos or when they went into a city, but there was no internet there at all.

It started out with a click …

When Starlink was first installed, the tribe used it in great ways. They got help for snakebites that turn deadly without speedy intervention. The Marubo connected with other local tribes and stayed in touch with family and friends who’d moved away.

Younger tribe members expanded their horizons, getting a peek into life outside their small, remote community. Suddenly, teens had big dreams, from becoming a dentist in the big city to traveling the world.

But then, things changed big time

The younger tribe members found and quickly became addicted to porn, social media and video games. They started sharing all kinds of explicit videos in group chats and getting sexually aggressive. The Marubo don’t even kiss in public.

People of all ages now have trouble putting down their phones. Tribe members have also been falling victim to scams since they’ve never seen or heard of them before.

An older member says when the internet first arrived, “Everyone was happy, but now, things have gotten worse. Young people have gotten lazy … In the village, if you don’t hunt, fish and plant, you don’t eat.”

The internet has made the tribe addicted and divided.

The tribe’s fix: Screen-time limits

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Use the NewsBreak app? Delete it. Here’s why

My husband, Barry, is a total news junkie. He has all the major news apps on his phone. That’s why this story stopped me in my tracks. NewsBreak, the most downloaded news app in the U.S., with more than 50 million readers per month, has strong ties to Communist China.

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Upgrade the everyday (on sale!)

The problem with furry friends is … the fur. This bestselling pet hair remover and lint roller is 22% off.
Grab a comfy new sheet set to replace the old ones for 17% off.
You deserve two cloud-like bed pillows, too. Nearly 70% off!
Keep sheets, blankets and pillows organized and dust-free with storage bins. 57% off!
Gals, the Shark hair dryer and styler is 12% off. Way cheaper than the Dyson version!

We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

This is so sweet: Hover over a link and click on your mouse wheel to open it in a new tab. You can also middle-click the mouse on an open tab to close it. Share that tip to impress your friends.

Amber Alert for your pets

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You definitely don’t want your furry friends to go missing. But just in case, here’s a system you should set up to keep them safe.

New term to know: Photocatalytic. Chemists came up with a special paint that cleans itself. For the nerds: When UV light hits the surface, titanium oxide nanoparticles will jump-start a reaction that breaks down junk and pollutants. This could be a game-changer for buildings painted in light colors. Share this with your friends who will be amazed at your good looks and intellect.

Which of the following is not a texting acronym? Is it … ENE, FTW, LOL or OOMF?

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5 people can connect via Apple Vision Pro

With Personas in visionOS, you can see a 3D recreation of your friends’ heads and hands. It’s pretty realistic, too — way less corny than those cartoon avatars in the Metaverse. All yours for the low, low price of $3,500. Eat your heart out, Zuck.

Automakers want to get rid of AM radio

When I was growing up, my dad worked for United Airlines, and I traveled a lot. I would always sneak a portable AM radio in my backpack, and as the plane crisscrossed the country, I would tune into various stations along the way. Never would I have imagined what that little hobby would become for me.

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Time-saving tricks using your keyboard

I spend hours and hours (and hours) online every week looking for the latest in tech for my national radio show, podcasts and, of course, newsletter.

I rounded up eight browser keyboard shortcuts I use so you can spend less time clicking around for the right button, too.

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👙 Don’t let Bob in Accounting see your bikini pics: Organize your Facebook friends into lists to share posts with specific groups, like “Close Friends,” “Family” or “Work.” This way, you can tailor your audience for each post. Create lists by going to Friends > Custom Lists.

Unless you change your settings, anyone with the Venmo app can see all your contacts. Go to Privacy settings > Friends list > Private. While you’re there, turn off “appear in other users’ friends’ lists.”

“My radio station used to carry your show, but this is a great replacement,” wrote Nancy in Miami, Florida. Now, friends, my free newsletter isn’t a replacement for my national award-winning radio show. The show is loaded with things you won’t find here, along with the best callers ever. Find my show on a radio station near you or as a podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Ask Kim: 'Is my new online friend tricking me?'

I got a call from Jim in Sacramento about a new friend he met on Facebook. She messaged him out of the blue and they hit it off (just friends, he’s married). Now, she’s introduced him to her aunt, who happens to be great with crypto.

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🌿 Say aloe to my friends: When your plants are stressed, they pop and click in ultrasonic frequencies way beyond our hearing range. They even scream — just not in a way we can hear. If you really screwed up with them, they throw a full-blown tantrum, complete with changing their color and shape and emitting a special scent. Remember that next time you ignore your Ficus.

$30,000 right to a scammer

How much an 80-year-old man “invested.” The Michigan resident sent the moolah to someone he met on Words With Friends claiming to be an LA investment banker. The money and “advisor” are gone — along with his win streak, I’m guessing.

PuppyGPT: Brace yourselves because “digital bioacoustics” could allow us to chat with our cats and dogs in just a year or three. Seriously. This tech picks up on our furry friends’ subtle sounds and behaviors, and AI then translates them.

Share holiday wishlists with Amazon

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Are you that person who’s hard to buy gifts for? Make it easy for your friends — just give them a digital list!

Ask Kim: 'Can you help me choose an Echo device?'

Absolutely! First things first, here’s how I like to use mine:

Both are totally solid, but I would go with the Echo Show 10. It’s bigger, faster and newer, and just about every spec is upgraded. The Echo Show 8 is certainly more affordable, but this is something you want to buy once and forget about for a few years. This model is already over two years old.

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We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

The best destinations for beautiful beaches and marine life

Maybe you’re the person who wants to lounge on the sand with an icy drink in hand. Or perhaps you’re like me and want to see as many undersea creatures as possible. Bring on the snorkel, baby. (I’ll take the cocktail after.)

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