Social Media users, especially younger generations, often use slang to communicate. You may have heard a phrase or two from a Gen Zer that made you pause and wonder what they meant by that! One that I hear a lot in my personal life is “spill the tea” ~ which means “tell me the gossip.” Innocent enough, but when conducting a social media deep dive on a person of interest, it is critical to educate yourself. Without knowledge of these terms, investigators might miss crucial details.
Identifying Drug Activity
Recently the publication, WIRED covered the subject of drug sales and drug use in social media. More and more dealers and consumers are using a combination of emoji’s and slang as a way to communicate. This has morphed into getting the delivery of your drugs via the USPS, rather than meeting the dealer on a street corner or in the dark web. Some dealers have even sponsored social media posts to gain more traffic. “Dealers ran hundreds of paid advertisements on Meta platforms in 2024 to sell illegal opioids and what appeared to be cocaine and ecstasy pills, according to a report this year by the Tech Transparency Project, and federal prosecutors are investigating Meta over the issue”.
Staying educated is one way to stay ahead of this. Here are some examples of the new terms used in social media along with their meanings:
Common Slang Terms Used by Drug Dealers:
Plug: Refers to a supplier or someone who can provide drugs.
Connect: Another term for a supplier or source for drugs.
Re-up: The act of replenishing a drug supply.
Slab: A large quantity of drugs, often sold in bulk.
Cut: Additives used to dilute or enhance drugs.
Cook-up: The process of preparing drugs, particularly in creating unique combinations.
Generation Z (Gen Z) generally includes individuals born between 1997 and 2012, according to the Pew Research Center. However, some sources may slightly adjust these dates, with ranges often extending from 1995 to 2010 or similar variations. As of 2025, Gen Zers are approximately 13 to 28 years old.
Generation Z has developed a vibrant wordlist of slang terms that are widely used across social media platforms. Here are some of the most popular expressions:
Rizz: Derived from “charisma,” this term refers to someone’s ability to attract or charm others, especially in a romantic context. Delulu: A playful abbreviation of “delusional,” used to describe someone who has unrealistic fantasies, particularly about relationships or personal aspirations. The ick: A sudden feeling of discomfort or repulsion towards a person, often triggered by a specific behavior or trait. Bussin’: Used to describe something exceptionally good or delicious, commonly in reference to food. Mid: A term signifying that something is mediocre or average in quality. Simp: Describes someone who is overly attentive or submissive to another person, often in a romantic context, without reciprocation. No cap: A phrase used to assert that someone is telling the truth or being genuine. Cheugy: Refers to something that is outdated or no longer trendy.
Glow up: Describes a significant transformation, often in appearance or style, indicating improvement. Stan: A blend of ‘stalker’ and ‘fan,’ it denotes someone who is an enthusiastic and devoted admirer of a celebrity or public figure. Ghosting: The act of suddenly cutting off all communication with someone without explanation, typically in a dating context. Salty: Feeling upset or bitter, often in response to a perceived slight or disappointment. Bet: A term used to express agreement or affirmation, similar to saying “okay” or “sure.” Fam: Short for “family,” but often used to refer to close friends or a trusted group. Sheesh: An exclamation used to express disbelief, admiration, or exasperation. Resource: Parade
New trails were blazed when Twitter was taken over by Elon Musk, turning the platform upside down and all around. Creating a news frenzy, Musk laid off around 6,000 of Twitter’s employees while renaming the social platform “X”. From there, new horizons emerged with the rise of platforms like Threads and Bluesky.
What is “Threads” and Why Does it Matter?
Threads is a social media platform created by Meta (the parent company of Facebook and Instagram) that focuses on micro-blogging, much like X (formerly Twitter). It’s tightly integrated with Instagram, allowing users to link their accounts and easily connect with their existing Instagram network. Threads offers a space for users to share short posts, images, and conversations in a simplified, text-first format.
Why Should a PI Know About Threads? Threads is rapidly gaining popularity, especially among younger users and those migrating from other platforms. For private investigators, it represents a valuable resource for gathering information, as users often post personal thoughts, opinions, and updates. With its connection to Instagram, Threads provides a seamless way to track digital footprints across multiple platforms.
Some Key Takeaways
Users may share location tags or events they attend.
Posts can reveal interests, affiliations, or networks.
Threads’ conversational style may highlight personal connections or conflicts.
What is Bluesky and Why Should it be on my Radar?
Bluesky is a decentralized social media platform created by former Twitter executives. It operates on a unique open-source protocol called AT Protocol, which allows users to own and control their data while still interacting with a global network. Unlike centralized platforms, Bluesky gives users the freedom to create and moderate their own communities, making it an appealing option for those who value privacy and control over their content.
Why Should a PI Know About Bluesky?
Bluesky is still growing, but it has quickly attracted a tech-savvy audience interested in decentralized platforms. For private investigators, Bluesky can provide important clues or insights into individuals’ activities.
Some Key Takeaways
Users may share more freely due to the platform’s promise of privacy and data control, offering more authentic insights.
The decentralized nature of Bluesky allows niche groups to thrive, making it easier for PIs to locate individuals in specific circles or track interests. Understanding the “target audience” associated with Bluesky may help direct you to searching through this platform.
As Bluesky gains popularity, it will likely become an important space for individuals to discuss personal or business matters, potentially revealing key information in investigations.
Bluesky is still in its early stages, but its unique structure and growing user base make it a platform worth watching for anyone in investigative work!
Breaking News, Community Engagement, and Political Shifts
You must always examine each new social media platform or app from both a macro and micro perspective. While these newer micro-blogging platforms share similarities, their underlying cultures are different. Threads, much like Instagram, fosters a community-driven environment filled with engagement, debate, and personal opinions. Though you can follow news sources, Threads is primarily focused on creating a sense of community. On the other hand, Bluesky, founded by former Twitter executives, leans more into the fast-paced, instant-news culture. It’s centered around providing real-time updates on news, global events, and political viewpoints. Even its feed, reminiscent of Twitter, prioritizes immediate posts, ensuring that breaking news stays front and center.
With the following being said, an announcement was made from MetathatThreads will be initiating more of a right for freedom of expression, constituting algorithm changes geared towards political changes through the platform. Some say this change could drive more individuals towards Bluesky but with a new political wave on the horizon, time will be the teller of all of this.
We Stay Social, So You Don’t Have To!
At E-Chatter, we’re constantly learning and integrating new social media platforms and profiles into our online searches for clients. With the digital landscape ever evolving, we stay ahead of the curve to ensure thorough due diligence is always at the forefront of our services.
As of 2024, BeReal has over 100 million downloads globally, with about 25 million daily active users. The app initially gained popularity in France, where it was launched in 2019, but it has since expanded its user base, with the United States leading in downloads. BeReal’s unique approach of encouraging users to post unfiltered, real-time content has resonated with many, particularly younger audiences, with 98% of users being under 45 years old.
BeReal is a social media app that aims to provide a more authentic and less curated experience compared to other platforms. It was launched in 2020 by French developers Alexis Barreyat and Kévin Perreau. The app encourages users to post unfiltered, real-time photos to share a more genuine snapshot of their daily lives.
Heres how it works
Daily Notification: Every day at a random time, all users receive a notification to take a photo within a two-minute window.
Dual Camera Feature: The app uses both the front and back cameras simultaneously, capturing what you are doing and your reaction in real-time.
No Edits or Filters: Users are encouraged to post photos without editing or applying filters, promoting authenticity.
Limited Interaction: There are no likes, and interactions are minimal, which shifts the focus away from seeking approval or validation from others.
BeReal has grown popular, especially among younger audiences, because it contrasts with the highly polished content often seen on Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook
Be Real Search Options
BeReal doesn’t have a traditional search function like other social media platforms where you can easily find someone by their name or username. Instead, finding someone’s BeReal account requires a few specific methods:
Friend Requests via Phone Contacts: BeReal allows you to sync your phone contacts, and it will suggest people you know based on those contacts. You can add friends directly if they are already using the app.
Username or Profile Sharing: You can manually share your BeReal username or ask for someone’s username, then add them by searching for their profile in the “Add Friends” section of the app.
QR Code: Users can share a QR code that others can scan to find their profile.
BeReal focuses on close, personal connections, which is why they don’t offer broader search features or public profiles. This design aligns with their goal of fostering a more authentic, private social media experience.
As of September 2024, BeReal has been in the news for a few reasons. The app has faced scrutiny over privacy concerns and data security issues, with some critics arguing that its approach to capturing authentic moments may unintentionally compromise user privacy. Additionally, BeReal has been exploring new features and updates to maintain user engagement, such as enhanced photo editing tools and expanded social interactions. The app’s efforts to stay relevant in the competitive social media landscape are also being closely watched.
E-Chatter stays on top of new social media applications and how they are used for the purpose of sharing our expertise with our clients. BeReal is an application we include in our search efforts on your behalf. Visit our website to learn more about our company and how we come alongside you during an investigation.
One of the most fascinating aspects of social media for me has always been the psychological angle or behavioral science to it all. Behavioral science is a field that analyses human behavior. It focuses on observing, describing, explaining, predicting, and modifying behavior through systematic observation and manipulation of environmental variables. This can be applied to social media in various ways. Marketers have been doing it for years~ profiling users of social media to better advertise their products or services. In fact, social media can even be used to better understand population dietary behaviors. The review identified 34 studies involving social media analysis (SMA). They took a deep dive on alcohol consumption, dieting and eating away from home behaviors. Twitter was predominant with data sets in tens of millions.
This is nothing new for OSINT researchers, Investigative Journalists, Law Enforcement, and Private Investigators. We have learned just how much you can discover through various platforms from finding a missing child to uncovering financial fraud and everything in between.
We like to start off by examining the age of the person and which platforms they are more likely to be on.
Demographics of Platforms: AGE
The recent data from Pew Research may suggest we should pay closer attention to certain social media platforms based on age. YouTube and Facebook still remain the top two most used platforms across all demographics. This data is a good place to start and may help to uncover different usernames that can later be used to identify other platforms.
Understanding User Behavior
Behavior analysis can be used to study how individuals interact with social media platforms. Researchers can observe and analyze user behavior patterns, such as the frequency of posting, types of content shared, and interactions with others (e.g., likes, comments, shares). How much influence does the user have? Which friends or followers seem to interact with the user the most? In what capacity?
Location: Posts may contain information about a person’s location, such as check-ins or geotags, which can be used to verify alibis or track movements.
Relationships: Posts may reveal a person’s relationships with others, such as friends, family, or acquaintances, which can be used to identify potential suspects or witnesses.
Activities: Posts may provide information about a person’s activities, such as hobbies, interests, or daily routines, which can be used to establish patterns of behavior or gather evidence of illegal activities.
Emotions: Posts may reveal a person’s emotions, such as anger, sadness, or happiness, which can be used to assess their mental state and motivations.
Communications: Posts may contain messages, comments, or other communications with others, which can be used to identify potential witnesses or suspects, and to gather evidence of criminal activities.
Body Language
Technically, body language refers to the nonverbal signals that we convey through our physical movements and gestures, which are typically seen in person. However, in social media videos, you can still convey nonverbal cues through your facial expressions, tone of voice, and posture.
For example, facial expressions can show enthusiasm or sadness, change the tone of your voice will convey different emotions, and gestures may be used to emphasize certain points. Voice inflections can be a sign of stress or anxiety.
Studying a social media post’s background can be very telling as well. For example, a cluttered or messy background may communicate disorganization or lack of attention to detail, while a professional or clean background may communicate professionalism and attention to detail.
Social media posts can provide valuable clues in an investigation, as they can reveal a person’s thoughts, emotions, activities, and connections with others.
There are and will continue to be a wide range of reasons to pay close attention to social media for an investigation of any kind.
In an era dominated by technology, the landscape of romance has had a profound transformation, with virtual dating apps and hookup sites emerging as the new frontier for modern connections. The rise of dating applications and websites has revolutionized the way individuals meet and form relationships, transcending geographical boundaries and traditional social norms. While these apps offer a new and convenient way to find love and companionship, they have also become an interesting new terrain for private investigators, particularly in the context of cheating partners and divorces. The simple accessibility and lack of in-person convictions offered by these dating/hookup applications make it a breeding ground of infidelity, often leading to the discovery of unfaithful partners and contentious divorces. As the world of romance worms it’s way into the digital realm, the skills and tools used by private investigators grows substantially. Not only is there a need to follow and track in real life, but digitally as well. This shift prompts a closer examination of the intersection between virtual dating and the evolving role of private investigators in navigating the complexities of the modern dating landscape.
History of Dating Apps
Reflecting on the 90s, the proliferation of internet access and computers marked the beginning of a transformative era. Increasingly, individuals embraced this novel way of life, culminating in the launch of the first dating app in 1995. Match.comemerged, heralding a significant shift in the realm of romantic connections. The traditional requirement of an in-person “meet-cute” was no longer obligatory, opening the doors to an entirely new dating landscape. Fast forward to the early 2000s, the advent of social media took center stage. Facebook, MySpace, and soon after, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn all became integral parts of the digital lexicon. It becomes evident that as more people flocked to the online sphere, a proportionate surge in the number of single individuals navigating the digital dating realm occurred. In 2012, Tinder emerged, introducing a fresh perspective on online dating.
Tinder
Tinder, originally conceived by its founders, Sean Rad and Justin Mateen, emerged as a significant player in the dating app scene. In a 2014 Time magazine interview, the duo humorously shared that the app’s inception stemmed from Justin Mateen’s agoraphobia, jokingly attributing the need for virtual connections due to a fear of leaving the house. Whether this origin story holds true or not, the app rapidly gained immense popularity, functioning as a technologically advanced rendition of the classic “hot or not” concept. Users are presented with photos of potential matches nearby, with the option to swipe left for a “nope” or right for a “like.” For a match to occur, both parties must swipe right. In 2014, the staggering statistics reflected 500 million daily swipes and 5 million matches. Tinder’s creation marked a cornerstone in the whirlwind evolution of mobile dating apps.
Bumble
Another notable player in the dating app arena is Bumble, crafted by Whitney Wolfe Herdin 2014. Distinguished by its woman-centric approach, this app empowers women by placing control firmly in their hands. Similar to Tinder, users engage in the left or right swipe dynamic, but the key difference lies in the post-match interaction. Once a match is made, it’s the woman who must initiate the first move, setting a 24-hour window for communication. Should the male party not respond within this timeframe, the match dissipates. Bumble has cultivated a global community surpassing 100 million users across six continents, celebrating over 1.5 billion “first moves.” Beyond dating, Bumble expands its offerings to include options for making friends and professional connections, signaling a multifaceted approach to modern connections.
Demographics of Online Dating
The roster of dating apps in the present day continues to expand, featuring top contenders such as Tinder, Match, and Bumble, alongside others like OkCupid, Hinge, E-Harmony, Grindr, HER, and more. According to Pew Research, almost half of online dating users, with approximately eight in ten users under 30, report using Tinder, solidifying its status as the most widely used dating platform in the U.S. The study also reveals that 79% of Tinder users fall within the 18-29 age bracket, in contrast to apps like Match, which only has 9% of users aged 18-29 but peaks at 54% for users between 50-64. The expansive realm of online dating prompts an exploration into how these platforms can be leveraged in online investigations.
In addition to those earnestly seeking love through dating apps, there exists a cohort pursuing different objectives. According to Pew Research, a remarkable 31% of men on dating apps are in search of casual hook-ups or sexual encounters, while women account for 13%.
Are You For Real?
This prompts a contemplation on the authenticity of profiles—how many individuals are genuinely who they claim to be? Does the person boasting a six-figure job truly hold such a position? Is the individual claiming to be 35 truly reflective of their appearance in the posted picture? Moreover, does the seemingly amazing person discovered on a dating app truly lead a single life, or could they be engaging in infidelity within an existing relationship? Investigations often revolve around suspicions of infidelity, as exemplified by Stephanie, a 27-year-old whose story was featured in an article forBustle. Initially in love with her boyfriend, Stephanie’s world crumbled when a friend sent her a screenshot of her boyfriend’s dating profile. Conducting her own inquiry, Stephanie logged into her friend’s profile, messaged him, and asked for his phone number to verify his identity. The phone number matched, unveiling the truth and catapulting Stephanie into the midst of a breakup.
For the Private Investigator
As investigators delve into divorce or custody cases, particularly those involving infidelity, the complexities of utilizing dating apps as evidence come to the forefront. Distinguishing dating apps from social media, despite their similarities, is crucial. Unlike social media platforms, dating apps lack a searchable database by name, often featuring profiles with only first names, introducing additional possibilities and anomalies.The situation becomes more intricate due to the widespread existence of fraudulent profiles, especially on platforms that do not mandate identity verification. While some apps like Hinge or Bumble recommend features like real-time selfie verification for profiles, they are not obligatory, introducing an additional layer of complexity. A recent search for an individual accused of cheating during a divorce revealed the challenges inherent in scrutinizing dating apps. For platforms like Bumble, where a profile is mandatory for searching, investigators employ alias profiles. Premium features, allowing refined searches based on location, age, height, religious and political views, parental status and more enhance the investigative process. Despite comprehensive efforts, our search did not yield a profile. This experience highlighted the significant gaps in understanding the intricacies of navigating dating apps, emphasizing the need for a nuanced approach in such investigations.
Are Dating Apps Searchable?
This brings us to the forefront of a pivotal question: Can dating apps be searched? The answer is yes, but not in the manner one might initially envision. When exploring the prospect of searching through dating apps, numerous considerations come into play. Many of these platforms implement privacy settings that impede effortless user discovery. Some dating apps establish connections through Facebook or other social media platforms, often requesting your phone number. Through algorithms and the covert mechanisms of these applications, the potential exists for discovering mutual connections. Stories often circulate about individuals encountering friends of friends through dating apps, making the world feel strangely small. As previously highlighted, the search functionality plays a crucial role in such investigations. Typically, this feature involves selecting filters based on criteria such as height, age, location, or interests when seeking a specific individual. Adding to the complexity, the process of searching through dating apps may, at times, feel similarly to a game of chance. However, with the right parameters in place, the possibility of encountering your intended profile increases. We conducted our own thorough test to scrutinize the effectiveness of popular software, specifically assessing its capability to detect instances where an individual maintains multiple dating profiles. We subjected our subject to scrutiny using four of the most prominent software platforms, yet none of them successfully retrieved any data from dating apps. Despite yielding accurate information such as multiple social media profiles, correct addresses, and phone numbers, the absence of dating-related data reinforces our assertion. This underscores the notion that for effective searching through dating apps, a manual human touch remains indispensable.
In the ever-evolving landscape of modern romance, dating apps have emerged as a transformative force, reshaping the way individuals connect and form relationships. The journey from the internet’s early days to the present day mirrors the digital age’s progression, marking the birth of dating apps like Match.com and the subsequent rise of social media platforms. As we navigate this digital realm, private investigators find themselves at the intersection of virtual dating and real-life investigations, addressing the complexities introduced by infidelity and divorce cases. The expanding list of dating apps, from Tinder to Bumble and beyond, reflects the diversity of user objectives, leading us to question the authenticity of profiles and the challenges investigators face in uncovering the truth. The prevalence of casual encounters and the blurred lines between reality and online personas further complicate the investigative process. As investigators grapple with these challenges, the need for a nuanced and human-centric approach becomes evident, emphasizing the indispensable role of skilled professionals in untangling the intricate web of digital romance.
