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Elena Cavender

Elena Cavender

Elena is a tech reporter and the resident Gen Z expert at Mashable. She covers TikTok and digital trends. She recently graduated from UC Berkeley with a BA in American History. Email her at elena.cavender@mashable.com or follow her @ecaviar_.

By Elena Cavender

Samsung taps Sydney Sweeney and K-pop stars TXT for its Unpacked event
It wasn't as star-studded as past Samsung events.
By Elena Cavender
Samsung taps Sydney Sweeney and K-pop stars TXT for its Unpacked event
The 'Gladiator II' trailer hits the internet like a truck
This is the most thigh-in-motion since Luca Guadagnino's "Challengers."
By Elena Cavender
The 'Gladiator II' trailer hits the internet like a truck
Internet Princess Rayne Fisher-Quann left TikTok in search of something beyond the algorithm
The internet personality goes offline for her first live event in New York City.
By Elena Cavender
Internet Princess Rayne Fisher-Quann left TikTok in search of something beyond the algorithm
This 'Kinds of Kindness' TikTok filter is as mystifying as the movie
Now you can sport the uncanny big face.
By Elena Cavender
This 'Kinds of Kindness' TikTok filter is as mystifying as the movie
TikTok's second annual Book Awards shortlist list is here — See which titles made the cut
Are any of these books on your TBR?
By Elena Cavender
TikTok's second annual Book Awards shortlist list is here — See which titles made the cut
Redbox's owner files for bankruptcy
The company is in more than $970 million in debt.
By Elena Cavender
Redbox's owner files for bankruptcy
TikTok's Instagram competitor that no one's heard of is flopping
Whee is off to a bad start.
By Elena Cavender
TikTok's Instagram competitor that no one's heard of is flopping
Reneé Rapp and Rachel Sennott talk finstas and flirting on Instagram's 'Close Friends Only' podcast
Target audience reached!
By Elena Cavender
Reneé Rapp and Rachel Sennott talk finstas and flirting on Instagram's 'Close Friends Only' podcast
Meet the collective of creators who raised $1.6 million for humanitarian relief in Gaza
The success of Creators for Palestine raises the question: What role should internet personalities play in social movements?
By Elena Cavender
Meet the collective of creators who raised $1.6 million for humanitarian relief in Gaza
Viral TikTok shows the shocking reality of inflation's impact on monthly groceries
This TikTok user's monthly grocery bill has quadrupled in just two years.
By Elena Cavender
Viral TikTok shows the shocking reality of inflation's impact on monthly groceries
Sabrina Carpenter will give her top Spotify listeners early access to her 'Short n' Sweet' tour
Please, please, please make ticketing easier for fans.
By Elena Cavender
Sabrina Carpenter will give her top Spotify listeners early access to her 'Short n' Sweet' tour
Taylor Swift and TikTok are challenging Swifties to prove their loyalty
Straight from the TikTok marketing department.
By Elena Cavender
Taylor Swift and TikTok are challenging Swifties to prove their loyalty
From 'End of Beginning' to 'Nasty,' here are TikTok's most viral songs of 2024 (so far)
TikTok bounced back from its UMG woes just in time for an 'Espresso' summer.
By Elena Cavender
From 'End of Beginning' to 'Nasty,' here are TikTok's most viral songs of 2024 (so far)
From yap to pookie, 2024's most viral internet slang defined
Yapping all about this year's catchphrases.
By Elena Cavender
From yap to pookie, 2024's most viral internet slang defined
Another 'Hunger Games' prequel is on the way and fans can't wait
The Haymitch backstory we've been waiting for.
By Elena Cavender
Another 'Hunger Games' prequel is on the way and fans can't wait
TikTok is reportedly prepping a U.S. version of its algorithm
It aims to create a separate code base that's independent from the Chinese version.
By Elena Cavender
TikTok is reportedly prepping a U.S. version of its algorithm
New TikTok guidelines target weight loss drugs
Videos promoting weight loss drugs are now ineligible for TikTok's FYP.
By Elena Cavender
New TikTok guidelines target weight loss drugs
Celebrity-voiced erotica is the new frontier in online celeb thirst
The age of AI brings celeb consent into question.
By Elena Cavender
Celebrity-voiced erotica is the new frontier in online celeb thirst
'Bridgerton' star Nicola Coughlan is the extremely online people's princess
Celebrities, they're just like us!
By Elena Cavender
'Bridgerton' star Nicola Coughlan is the extremely online people's princess
U.S. Justice Department moves to break up Ticketmaster and Live Nation over antitrust violations
The government seeks an end to Ticketmaster's concert ticket monopoly
By Elena Cavender
U.S. Justice Department moves to break up Ticketmaster and Live Nation over antitrust violations
Tinashe's 'Nasty' goes viral just in time for summer
"Nasty" graduated from viral video soundtrack to a full-blown internet moment.
By Elena Cavender
Tinashe's 'Nasty' goes viral just in time for summer
Forget the slow burn, Gen Z loves a failmarriage
From 'Succession' to 'Challengers,' online fans can't get enough of these problematic relationships.
By Elena Cavender
Forget the slow burn, Gen Z loves a failmarriage
This is how those sexy 'Challengers' fan edits got made so quickly
Like tennis, fancams are a relationship.
By Elena Cavender
This is how those sexy 'Challengers' fan edits got made so quickly
TikTok sues the U.S. government over ban
ByteDance claims the law violates users' First Amendment rights.
By Elena Cavender
TikTok sues the U.S. government over ban
Why fandom wars aren't helping pro-Palestine organizing
This is a people's movement, not a celebrity one.
By Elena Cavender
Why fandom wars aren't helping pro-Palestine organizing
Ranking August Moon songs based on how close they are to One Direction
Is Nicholas Galitzine imitating Harry Styles' voice, or is he just British?
By Elena Cavender
Ranking August Moon songs based on how close they are to One Direction
How 'The Idea of You' movie compares to the book
The book walked so the movie could dance.
By Elena Cavender
How 'The Idea of You' movie compares to the book
The internet can't get enough of 'Challengers' and, honestly, same
Are you Team Art, Team Patrick, or Team Tashi?
By Elena Cavender
The internet can't get enough of 'Challengers' and, honestly, same
Sabrina Carpenter's 'Espresso' is the internet's Song of the Summer
I'm working late...cause I'm a meme-r.
By Elena Cavender
Sabrina Carpenter's 'Espresso' is the internet's Song of the Summer
President Biden will continue to use TikTok to campaign even after banning it in the U.S.
'When the stakes are this high in the election, we are going to use every tool we have to reach young voters where they are.'
By Elena Cavender
President Biden will continue to use TikTok to campaign even after banning it in the U.S.
What's your K-pop persona? Spotify wants you to take the quiz to find out.
Are you more Main Vocal or Trainee?
By Elena Cavender
What's your K-pop persona? Spotify wants you to take the quiz to find out.
Yes, 'You wouldn't last an hour in the asylum where they raised me' is a Taylor Swift lyric
Out of 31 songs on Taylor Swift's new album, 'Who's Afraid of Little Old Me' has captured the internet's attention.
By Elena Cavender
Yes, 'You wouldn't last an hour in the asylum where they raised me' is a Taylor Swift lyric
The wildest lyrics on Taylor Swift's 'The Tortured Poets Department,' from 'Grand Theft Auto' to Charlie Puth
'So go and tell your friends that I'm obsessive and crazy...'
By Elena Cavender
The wildest lyrics on Taylor Swift's 'The Tortured Poets Department,' from 'Grand Theft Auto' to Charlie Puth
Taylor Swift, promo queen, takes her partnership with TikTok to the next level
SwiftTok is back with 'exclusive in-app experiences' for fans.
By Elena Cavender
Taylor Swift, promo queen, takes her partnership with TikTok to the next level
The internet is 'Down Bad' for Taylor Swift's 'The Tortured Poets Department'
'Being a Swiftie is like if it was Christmas and The Purge every day.'
By Elena Cavender
The internet is 'Down Bad' for Taylor Swift's 'The Tortured Poets Department'
Taylor Swift's brand is mightier than her pen
The rollout for 'TTPD' reveals that Swift's celebrity has eclipsed her songwriting.
By Elena Cavender
Taylor Swift's brand is mightier than her pen
Carrie Bradshaw memes renegotiate the central questions of 'Sex and the City'
I couldn't help but wonder: Why are there so many memes about Big moving to Paris?
By Elena Cavender
Carrie Bradshaw memes renegotiate the central questions of 'Sex and the City'
Amazon Alexa (Taylor's Version): Listen to Taylor Swift's message to fans
Hey Alexa, are you a Swiftie?
By Elena Cavender
Amazon Alexa (Taylor's Version): Listen to Taylor Swift's message to fans
Taylor Swift's music returns to TikTok ahead of 'The Tortured Poets Department' release
TikTok and UMG's disagreement will not get in the way of Swift's album promo.
By Elena Cavender
Taylor Swift's music returns to TikTok ahead of 'The Tortured Poets Department' release
Streamers rejoice: TikTok Live is now integrated with Streamlabs
A stream key is no longer needed.
By Elena Cavender
Streamers rejoice: TikTok Live is now integrated with Streamlabs
Open AI and Google trained AI models on YouTube videos
The two tech giants transcribed YouTube videos, which may violate creator copyrights.
By Elena Cavender
Open AI and Google trained AI models on YouTube videos
How to take a screenshot on a Mac
One of the most helpful tools.
By Elena Cavender
How to take a screenshot on a Mac
Universal Music Group turns to Spotify after pulling catalogue from TikTok
Spotify's pivot to video continues.
By Elena Cavender
Universal Music Group turns to Spotify after pulling catalogue from TikTok
Tilda Swinton, Josh O'Connor, and more auctioning off eccentric experiences in support of Gaza
Bedtime stories with Tilda! Porridge with Josh!
By Elena Cavender
Tilda Swinton, Josh O'Connor, and more auctioning off eccentric experiences in support of Gaza
X's new best friend is a GIF of a joint-smoking cartoon duck
A GIF is worth a thousand words.
By Elena Cavender
X's new best friend is a GIF of a joint-smoking cartoon duck
Is Djo's 'End of Beginning' the beginning of the end for TikTok as a music discovery platform?
And when I'm back on TikTok, I hear it.
By Elena Cavender
Is Djo's 'End of Beginning' the beginning of the end for TikTok as a music discovery platform?
Ayo Edebiri's Instagram Story with Paul Mescal stokes rom-com rumors
A picture is worth a thousand rom-com demands.
By Elena Cavender
Ayo Edebiri's Instagram Story with Paul Mescal stokes rom-com rumors
'Mama, kudos for saying that' is the internet's new favorite reaction
'RuPaul's Drag Race' remains at the forefront of internet culture.
By Elena Cavender
'Mama, kudos for saying that' is the internet's new favorite reaction
Watch Taylor Swift perform 'Cardigan' ahead of 'The Eras Tour (Taylor’s Version)'
Sorry to Android Swifties.
By Elena Cavender
Watch Taylor Swift perform 'Cardigan' ahead of 'The Eras Tour (Taylor’s Version)'
John Mulaney's 'Field of Dreams' Oscars bit proves he should've hosted
A great bit!
By Elena Cavender
John Mulaney's 'Field of Dreams' Oscars bit proves he should've hosted
Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt bring their Barbenheimer beef to the Oscars stage
A little playful ribbing between box office rivals.
By Elena Cavender
Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt bring their Barbenheimer beef to the Oscars stage
Celebrities show their support for Palestine at the Oscars amid protest outside the venue
As a pro-Palestine protest disrupted the Oscars red carpet, the stars showed their solidarity.
By Elena Cavender
Celebrities show their support for Palestine at the Oscars amid protest outside the venue
What do we lose when influencers replace journalists on the red carpet?
The backlash to TikTokkers on the red carpet spotlights a much bigger media crisis.
By Elena Cavender
What do we lose when influencers replace journalists on the red carpet?
Doggone it: Messi, the canine star of 'Anatomy of a Fall,' won't attend the Oscars, much to our dismay
The Oscars won't be a walk in the dog park.
By Elena Cavender
Doggone it: Messi, the canine star of 'Anatomy of a Fall,' won't attend the Oscars, much to our dismay
Facebook and Instagram are down: What we know.
Meta, get it together!
By Elena Cavender
Facebook and Instagram are down: What we know.
Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya's Cinépolis ad for 'Dune: Part 2' is strangely horny
Things are getting spicy at the movies.
By Elena Cavender
Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya's Cinépolis ad for 'Dune: Part 2' is strangely horny
Unlearning loneliness: How TikTok is rewriting the rules of connection
Meet the young people who turning their FYPs into IRL communities.
By Elena Cavender
Unlearning loneliness: How TikTok is rewriting the rules of connection
Your FYP will be even quieter: Universal Music Group is pulling more songs from TikTok
Please don't stop the music!
By Elena Cavender
Your FYP will be even quieter: Universal Music Group is pulling more songs from TikTok
You're not the only person lurking on TikTok. In fact, most users don't post at all.
Roughly half of users surveyed have never posted a TikTok.
By Elena Cavender
You're not the only person lurking on TikTok. In fact, most users don't post at all.
The internet is obsessed: Zendaya and Timothée Chalamet match for 'Dune: Part Two' promo
Forget Barbie and Ken, it's Chani and Paul season.
By Elena Cavender
The internet is obsessed: Zendaya and Timothée Chalamet match for 'Dune: Part Two' promo
Is the meet cute dead? TikTok has thoughts.
Does modern life allow you to spill orange juice on a famous actress?
By Elena Cavender
Is the meet cute dead? TikTok has thoughts.
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are TikTok official. The video is charmingly cringe.
Karma is the guy on the FYP coming straight home to me.
By Elena Cavender
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are TikTok official. The video is charmingly cringe.
If Taylor Swift attends Super Bowl 2024, who will she bring?
Our bets are on Keleigh Teller.
By Elena Cavender
If Taylor Swift attends Super Bowl 2024, who will she bring?
Super Bowl 2024 performers: Who is singing the anthems?
It's a stacked lineup!
By Elena Cavender
Super Bowl 2024 performers: Who is singing the anthems?
'Pookie' is more than a pet name. TikTok's new favorite word is rooted in a rich cultural history.
TikTok is redefining linguistic love one buzz word at a time.
By Elena Cavender
'Pookie' is more than a pet name. TikTok's new favorite word is rooted in a rich cultural history.
Taylor Swift's 'The Tortured Poets Department' already has everybody talking
Poet era incoming.
By Elena Cavender
Taylor Swift's 'The Tortured Poets Department' already has everybody talking
7 songs poised to make a Swift exit from TikTok amid UMG's licensing dispute
Bad day to be a TikTok Swiftie.
By Elena Cavender
7 songs poised to make a Swift exit from TikTok amid UMG's licensing dispute
Taylor Swift fans celebrate that Travis Kelce and the Chiefs are headed to the Super Bowl
The crowds in stands went wild!
By Elena Cavender
Taylor Swift fans celebrate that Travis Kelce and the Chiefs are headed to the Super Bowl
The Oscars social media frenzy fundamentally misunderstands 'Barbie'
Is this what we're "made" for?
By Elena Cavender
The Oscars social media frenzy fundamentally misunderstands 'Barbie'
'Barbie' fans shocked: Greta Gerwig and Margot Robbie got snubbed by Oscars
An unfortunate reminder we live in the Real World.
By Elena Cavender
'Barbie' fans shocked: Greta Gerwig and Margot Robbie got snubbed by Oscars
TikTok users report that they can no longer log in through Twitter / X
Another side effect of Twitter becoming X.
By Elena Cavender
TikTok users report that they can no longer log in through Twitter / X
Forget your astrological sign, the internet wants to know your 'daylist'
Spotify's "daylist" tells you who you it thinks you are at all times of the day.
By Elena Cavender
Forget your astrological sign, the internet wants to know your 'daylist'
TikTok is criticizing young girls who shop at Sephora. They're missing the point.
As the discourse has escalated, many have veered away from the core issue — blaming the tweens who shop at Sephora, instead of a beauty culture that turns girls' insecurities into purchasing power.
By Elena Cavender
TikTok is criticizing young girls who shop at Sephora. They're missing the point.
Can't stop stalking your crush online? It may be limerence.
"When you recognize that it's limerence, you can do something about it."
By Elena Cavender
Can't stop stalking your crush online? It may be limerence.
Tyranny of the Top Four: How Letterboxd is changing movie-watching
'Are these movies actually good or are they just being different?'
By Elena Cavender
Tyranny of the Top Four: How Letterboxd is changing movie-watching
What were Taylor Swift and Selena Gomez gossiping about at the Golden Globes?
The internet needs to know what Selena whispered in Taylor's ear.
By Elena Cavender
What were Taylor Swift and Selena Gomez gossiping about at the Golden Globes?
Incase to bring back previously discontinued Microsoft accessories
Microsoft ergonomic keyboard fans rejoice.
By Elena Cavender
Incase to bring back previously discontinued Microsoft accessories
Disney's 'Steamboat Willie' YouTube copyright claim is back, this time for audio
The public domain saga continues.
By Elena Cavender
Disney's 'Steamboat Willie' YouTube copyright claim is back, this time for audio
Surprise? The most popular film on Letterboxd in 2023 is perfectly predictable
In a true Barbenheimer moment, Christopher Nolan was the most-watched director.
By Elena Cavender
Surprise? The most popular film on Letterboxd in 2023 is perfectly predictable
'Saltburn' gives 'Murder On The Dancefloor' new life 20 years after its release
It's a murder on the charts.
By Elena Cavender
'Saltburn' gives 'Murder On The Dancefloor' new life 20 years after its release
Eli Rallo's 'I Didn't Know I Needed This' book launch brings TikTok to life
If you're a famous TikTokker, how much does the book matter?
By Elena Cavender
Eli Rallo's 'I Didn't Know I Needed This' book launch brings TikTok to life
Our favorite TikTokkers of 2023
This year gave us TikTok star Francesca Scorsese, a girl who clusters, and so much more.
By Elena Cavender
Our favorite TikTokkers of 2023
Snapchat+ subscribers can now send custom generative AI images
Generative AI is coming for your Snapchat messages.
By Elena Cavender
Snapchat+ subscribers can now send custom generative AI images
2023's girl dinner, girl math, girlhood: What did we gain from a year of girl trends?
Girl trends were everywhere, except where it mattered.
By Elena Cavender
2023's girl dinner, girl math, girlhood: What did we gain from a year of girl trends?
The 10 best books of the year, according to BookTok
From 'Fourth Wing' to 'Happy Place.'
By Elena Cavender
The 10 best books of the year, according to BookTok
ChatGPT is writing legislation now
A Brazilian city councilman secretly submitted an ordinance written by ChatGPT.
By Elena Cavender
ChatGPT is writing legislation now
Adam Mosseri says Threads won't be getting chronological search results
Per a Threads post.
By Elena Cavender
Adam Mosseri says Threads won't be getting chronological search results
No, Burlington wasn't the most popular Spotify Wrapped sound town
Neither was Cambridge or Berkeley.
By Elena Cavender
No, Burlington wasn't the most popular Spotify Wrapped sound town
Troubleshooting your Spotify Wrapped: How to get it if it's not showing up
Participate in the internet's favorite end-of-year event.
By Elena Cavender
Troubleshooting your Spotify Wrapped: How to get it if it's not showing up
How to remove music from your Spotify taste profile
Save your 2024 Wrapped before it's too late .
By Elena Cavender
How to remove music from your Spotify taste profile
Spotify Wrapped 2023 is here — 5 new features to check out
Let's take a trip to Sound Town and meet your 'listening character.'
By Elena Cavender
Spotify Wrapped 2023 is here — 5 new features to check out
Spotify Wrapped's 'Me in 2023' feature spotlights your embarrassing listening habits
If you're someone who listens to the same song on repeat, beware.
By Elena Cavender
Spotify Wrapped's 'Me in 2023' feature spotlights your embarrassing listening habits
After a year of new AI features, Spotify Wrapped 2023 celebrates the 'real stuff'
'We wanted to make it as a push to the onslaught of augmented stuff that came our way,' a Spotify rep tells Mashable.
By Elena Cavender
After a year of new AI features, Spotify Wrapped 2023 celebrates the 'real stuff'
New report reaffirms TikTok's influence on music streaming
Shocking!
By Elena Cavender
New report reaffirms TikTok's influence on music streaming
I let fancams dictate what I watch
My unique approach to becoming a film bro.
By Elena Cavender
I let fancams dictate what I watch
How to follow and unfollow someone on TikTok
Congrats on joining TikTok.
By Elena Cavender
How to follow and unfollow someone on TikTok
Elon Musk's first AI product is a chatbot named Grok
"It's also based and loves sarcasm."
By Elena Cavender
Elon Musk's first AI product is a chatbot named Grok
The rise of the creator-led trip, where YouTubers and fans spend a week together
"I can't not do this."
By Elena Cavender
The rise of the creator-led trip, where YouTubers and fans spend a week together
Mariah Carey announces the official start of the holiday season
Darling, she's baaaaack!
By Elena Cavender
Mariah Carey announces the official start of the holiday season