The North Star is your go-to destination for exploring the unique features of Favs, an innovative social app designed to help you focus on the people who matter most. In each post, we also touch on broader social media trends and look at the rich history behind the platforms we use every day. Whether you’re seeking fresh tools to deepen your connections with friends or curious about how new apps like Favs are transforming online interactions, The North Star guides you toward meaningful, user-friendly experiences.
EPHEMERAL
From Gas to Explode: Nikita Bier’s Take on Disappearing Photos
Nikita Bier’s Explode lets you send disappearing photos and texts straight to iMessage—no extra app needed. Snap, set a timer, and watch them vanish.
CLOSE FRIENDS
Favs: The Refreshing Social Media Alternative You’ve Been Waiting For
A Privacy-Focused Social App for Close Friends—Your Healthier Alternative to AI-Heavy Facebook, Banned TikTok, and Chinese RedNote
How RedNote Compares to TikTok
RedNote vs. TikTok: A Tale of Two Social Commerce Platforms
TIKTOK
RedNote: The Chinese Lifestyle App Redefining Social Commerce
Explore how RedNote (Xiaohongshu) merges lifestyle inspiration, authentic reviews, and seamless shopping for a new era in social media. Join the wave?
AI Bots on Social Media: Shaping Relationships in the Digital Age
AI bots as users on social media are transforming how we interact online, affecting personal and collective relationships.
FRIENDSHIP TIPS
Strengthen Friendships in 2025: A Fresh Start
As we enter 2025, genuine friendships matter more than ever. Here’s how to nurture meaningful connections—and how Favs can make it easier.
FRIENDSHIP TIPS
Building Stronger Friendships in 2025
In a world of fleeting connections, genuine friendships is key. Here’s how to deepen bonds and prioritize meaningful relationships this year.
SOCIAL GAMING
Social Gaming: The New Playground for Emotional Connection
Social gaming has become a hub for emotional bonding, offering players a way to connect and express themselves - but is it enough to replace reality?
SOCIAL GAMING
Social Gaming Through the Ages: Evolution of Connection
Social gaming has evolved from local arcades to online worlds, redefining how we connect across decades and technological advancements.
Facebook’s AI Leap: Progress or a Step Too Far?
Facebook’s latest AI features may seem groundbreaking, but are they a sign of progress or a dangerous overreach into our digital lives?
SOCIAL NETWORK
Facebook’s New AI Features: The Rise of a Digital Dystopia
Facebook’s new AI-powered user features blur the line between innovation and dystopia, raising questions about privacy, ethics, and control.
TIKTOK BAN
Could Elon Musk Buy TikTok? Examining the Possibility
Intro: Elon Musk shook the tech world with his $44B Twitter purchase. Could TikTok, valued at $300B, be his next bold move? Here's what it would take.
MENTAL HEALTH
A Social Media Solution for Better Teen Mental Health
Social media has impacted teen mental health, but Favs offers a safe, ad-free space to connect authentically with real friends.
MENTAL HEALTH
Social Media and Teen Mental Health: Navigating the Digital Impact
Exploring the growing mental health challenges teens face due to social media and how to cultivate healthier online habits.
FRIENDSHIP
The Friendship Fix: What They Don’t Teach in School
Friendship is a skill no one teaches but everyone needs. It takes effort, small acts, and care to keep connections alive. Here’s how to make it work.
SOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCERS
Favs: The Social App Influencers Didn’t Know They Needed
For influencers, social media is work. Favs offers a private space for real friends—no fans, no likes, just genuine connections.
PHONE ADDICTION
Kids, Screens, and Social Media: Finding Balance in a Digital World
Parents worry about screens and social media—how much is too much? Let’s unpack the impact on kids and how to create healthier habits together.
PHONE ADDICTION
Breaking the Scroll: Phone Addiction
Social media connects us, but at what cost? Here’s why we're hooked, how it affects us, and how to reclaim our time and focus.
SOCIAL EVENTS
Partiful vs. Luma
Planning an event? Discover the key differences between Partiful and Luma, two platforms tailored for casual parties and community-driven events.
APPLE
How an Apple Veteran Crafted the Best Flight-Tracking App
Flighty soared to finalist status in 2023. Here’s why its smart flight tracking—created by an Apple-savvy founder—is still winning.
SOCIAL APP AWARD
Partiful Crowned “App of the Year”—And a Timothée Chalamet Lookalike Competition Helped Show Why
Partiful just won App of the Year. From everyday gatherings to a Timothée Chalamet lookalike event, here’s how it soared to the top of event planning.
SOCIAL MEDIA BANS
Why TikTok Is Getting Banned: Understanding the Concerns
Why is TikTok getting banned? Governments fear data misuse and security threats, shaping a global debate on privacy and free expression.
SOCIAL MEDIA BAN
Social Media Bans: Why They Happen and What They Mean
From China's Great Firewall to under-16 bans in Australia, here's why social keeps getting blocked—and what it means for us all around the globe.
SOCIAL MEDIA BAN
Could Snapchat’s Spotlight Steal the Show? Life After a TikTok Ban
If TikTok takes a hit, could Snapchat’s Spotlight step up? Let’s explore how Snap might become the next home for short-form video creators.
SOCIAL MEDIA BAN
Ready for the Spotlight: Why Instagram Reels Could Thrive if TikTok Gets Banned
If TikTok faces a ban, Instagram Reels might step into the spotlight. Explore how IG could become short-form creators’ next big stage!
SOCIAL MEDIA BAN
TikTok’s Possible Exit: How YouTube Shorts Could Take Center Stage
A TikTok ban could empower YouTube Shorts to rise fast. Discover how YouTube can claim short-form success and delight creators worldwide!
SOCIAL MEDIA BAN
Could a TikTok Ban Propel X to the Top? Real-Time and Short-Form Converge
If TikTok disappears, how might X fill the gap? Let’s dive into how the platform’s real-time vibe could fuse with short-video appeal in a th new era.
SOCIAL GAMES
Top Questions from We're Not Really Strangers
You've played the game, maybe even answered the questions, but have you ever asked why some of the questions exist? Here we break it down for you.
SOCIAL GAMES
The Evolution of We're Not Really Strangers
From street photography to a global movement, learn how Koreen created WNRS, the card game transforming relationships and fostering authenticity.
SOCIAL GAMES
We're Not Really Strangers History
Discover the heartfelt story of We're Not Really Strangers, a game-turned-movement inspiring deeper connections, founded by Koreen Odiney in 2018.
SOCIAL GAMES
What Do You Meme: Unleash Laughter and Connections with Close Friends
Turn your game nights into meme-worthy moments with 'What Do You Meme'—a hilarious party game that deepens connections through shared laughter!
SOCIAL GAMES
Engaging ‘Would You Rather’ Questions to Deepen Friendships
Transform casual chats into meaningful moments with engaging 'Would You Rather' questions that spark deep connections and memories with friends.
SOCIAL GAMES
150 Questions to Spark Deep Conversations with Friends with ‘We’re Not Really Strangers’
Unlock deeper bonds using meaningful questions with 'We’re Not Really Strangers.' Transform casual chats into unforgettable connections!
FRIENDSHIP
3 Ways to Never Lose Touch With Your Friends
Friendships can fade, but staying connected is easier than you think. Here are 3 simple ways to keep your bonds strong, fresh, and more meaningful.
BIRTHDAY
10 Gift Ideas for Your Best Friend: Thoughtful, Meaningful, and Fun
Stuck finding the perfect gift for your best friend? Explore these 10 thoughtful ideas to celebrate their unique personality and show you care deeply.
SOCIAL MEDIA
The Empire Built on 6-Second Videos
But a lack of monetization brought Vine to its knees.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Sidechat: Anonymity Meets Campus Culture
Sidechat brings campus chatter to life with anonymous posts.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Why Is Instagram Adding Location Sharing Now?
Instagram’s new location-sharing feature is here, but why did it take so long? A step forward, or just catching up with the competition?
SOCIAL MEDIA
When Bieber Tried to Fix Social Media: How Shots Paved the Way for Apps Like Favs
SOCIAL MEDIA
Building the "New Facebook"
Or is it the old one?
FRIENDSHIP
The Case for Close Circles: Why Quality Beats Quantity in Friendships
SOCIAL MAP
Find Your Crew: The Top 5 Apps to Locate Friends on a Map
BIRTHDAYS
Never Miss a Birthday Again: The 5 Best Tools to Remember Birthdays
CREATORS
YouTube Introduces Hype
YouTube has introduced a new feature called "Hype," designed to help emerging creators gain visibility and connect with broader audiences.
MENTAL HEALTH
LeBron Hits Pause: The King Takes a Timeout from the Timeline
LeBron James, the iconic Los Angeles Lakers forward, has announced a hiatus from social media platforms, including X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram.
DECENTRALIZED SOCIAL
Bluesky’s Rise: A New Era of Social Media?
Founded with the goal of fostering open conversations and minimizing centralized control, Bluesky’s appeal lies in contrast to traditional social.
SOCIAL MEDIA BAN
Australia Banning Social Media
Australian government has introduced legislation to prohibit children under 16 from accessing major social media platforms.
CLOSE FRIENDS
From Connection to Chaos
Why We Built a Social App for Real Friends
SOCIAL MEDIA
Reddit’s Remarkable Rise and Recent IPO: How the ‘Front Page of the Internet’ Became a Public Powerhouse
Reddit, the "front page of the internet," has always had a special place online.
SOCIAL MEDIA