How You Can Support Black History Month Year-Round

Black History Month is an annual celebration of Black achievements and contributions to the world. The origins of Black History Month can actually be traced back to 1926, where a historian proposed a Black History Week to be celebrated in February, because both Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln were born in February. About 50 years later, president Gerald Ford extended Black History Week to Black History Month as he told Americans to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.”

Thankfully, there are many ways you can support Black History Month and the important message it highlights!

One great way is to support Black-owned businesses. You can do this by literally searching for Black-owned businesses in your area or online. By shopping at or buying from these businesses, you will help promote economic empowerment in the Black community. Due to power dynamics and the discriminatory history of the world, especially the United States, Black people have had to suffer significant economic disadvantages. While there are larger systematic and societal changes that need to take place to reach equality, supporting Black owned businesses is a small, but immediate step you can take to economically empower the Black community. Further, there are so many Black-owned businesses out there with such fantastic products or services, that you could easily become a returning customer, adding a longevity to this mission. 

Here are a few Black-owned businesses worth checking out:

Unfinished Legacy – If you like streetwear, you will love these

Baked Cravings – If you like sweets, you will love these nut-free treats

Partake – Cookies and pancakes that are gluten-free, vegan, and delicious

Karite – Natural moisturizers made with shea butter

Scotch Porter – Fine men's grooming products

Educate yourself through the right sources. While there are many books, documentaries, lectures, podcasts, movies, the list goes on and on, about Black history and Black culture/communities, not all of them come from Black people. This is an important distinction. These various forms of essay might be helpful in understanding the historical events that contribute to systematic racism. If you want to get a better understanding of what it is like to be Black in modern times, it is best to hear it from those who are living it and to hear the perspectives and points of view by those affected. This means seeking out resources, literature and materials by Black people themselves speaking about the issues that impact them and their fight throughout history and today.

One of the best ways to do this is to simply speak with Black people in your community to learn more about their expeirences – but you must always remember to be open minded and to hear what they have to say. It is all about respect. If you have any Black friends, it is also important to check in on them. Black History Month highlights the achievements and contributions of black people, but it can also be met with a lot of hate and problematic statements and actions, as well stir up some complex feelings about our country’s history and current day issues. Whether they like it or not, a light is being shined on them and it can be nice to have the support of a caring friend.

During Black History Month, and year-round, many institutions, art exhibits, movie theaters, and schools/universities highlight the Black community through events. It could be an art gallery consisting of work by Black artists, it could be poetry reading, films featured by Black directors, or even lectures. Expression and articulation takes many forms, which means there is definitely a medium for you! If you enjoy reading, we made a list of books everyone should read that are by black authors.

Since films are so accessible, here are three films that also highlight Black culture:

Blindspotting (2018) – A timely social commentary mixed with a buddy-comedy about being a Black man in modern America.

Do the Right Thing (1989) – A comedic drama about racial tensions in a fictional neighborhood in New York City, told through Spike Lee’s iconic lens.

You People (2023) – A light-hearted comedy about a modern interracial couple moving towards marriage.

One of the most important ways to support Black History Month is to get active and show solidarity. While going to events is helpful, being active takes it one step further. This can look like volunteering at organizations that serve the Black community or even one of those types of events mentioned above. You could also invite friends and family members who likely would not have gone to these events, to go with you. Further, there are many rallies during Black History Month and attending these shows strength in numbers. There are so many ways to show support your support.

Social media has become a large part of modern society and has also become a large outlet for sharing information. While social media is a fantastic place to get educated about Black History Month, it can also be full of misinformation. It is important to look into the information you are getting and its sources, especially before reposting or sharing it.

Most importantly, supporting Black History Month is not just a one month commitment. It is important to continually support the Black community every day by listening to their voices, advocating for equality, and taking actions against systemic racism and discrimination.

Black History Month is an annual celebration of Black achievements and contributions to the world. The origins of Black History Month can actually be traced back to 1926, where a historian proposed a Black History Week to be celebrated in February, because both Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln were born in February. About 50 years later, president Gerald Ford extended Black History Week to Black History Month as he told Americans to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.”
Thankfully, there are many ways you can support Black History Month and the important message it highlights!

Supporting the Black Community This Past Month

If you’ve been swiping on Yubo today, you've probably come across our latest in-app campaign to introduce you to the National Center for Missing, and Exploited Children (NCMEC)’s new Take It Down service and the new reporting option on Yubo. At Yubo, the safety of our users is our top priority, so we are constantly finding new ways to make Yubo as safe as possible. We are fortunate to have the support and expertise of our partners, and this new feature is a perfect example. So if you want to know more about this new service and Yubo’s added reporting feature, welcome!

The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) is a non-profit organization founded in 1984 by the U.S. Congress. NCMEC is funded primarily by the U.S. Department of Justice. It operates as an information and resources center for parents, children, law enforcement agencies, schools, and communities to assist in the recovery of missing children. Its mission is also to educate the public on how to prevent child abduction, child sexual abuse, and child pornography.

How long have NCMEC and Yubo been partners?

NCMEC is a longterm partner of Yubo’s. We have been working together since July 2018. John Shehan, the Senior Vice President of NCMEC, is also a member of our Safety Board and offers his expertise and guidance for our strategies and approaches to safety, as well as the development of new safety features. We are fortunate to be able to rely on his experience to make Yubo even safer for all our users.

To continue its fight to protect young people online, NCMEC has launched a new service called Take It Down. This service is free and aims to stop the spread of nude, partially nude, or sexually exploitative content depicting minors. It is inspired in particular by StopNCII.org in the UK, which supports and helps victims of revenge porn.

How can I use the new Yubo feature developed with NCMEC?

To support this initiative and continue to protect with the best possible innovations, Yubo has decided to add a new option to its reporting flow. Any user, whose sexually inappropriate imagery of themselves taken before the age of 18 has been shared anywhere on the internet, can now report it by selecting “Inappropriate photo/video of me” in the reporting reasons list. If a user selects this option,  they will receive a link that will direct them to the Take It Down website, where they can submit an anonymous report.  

Yubo & NCMEC - a new reporting flow

How will Yubo know which image to remove? 

Once reported via NCMEC's Take It Down service, all images or videos will be assigned a unique hash value. This hash value works like a digital fingerprint and allows the content to be tracked and identified across other online platforms. All platforms participating in the initiative (including Yubo) will receive this hash value, which will allow them to identify and block any attempt to share the reported content.

Are you going to collect the photos that I am going to share with you? 

No photos or videos will be collected during the process, and the entire system is completely anonymous. Take It Down, and its partner platforms only receive the hash value to effectively block re-upload imagery attempts. 

Your privacy and anonymity are guaranteed at all stages of the Take It Down service. And what’s more, to avoid further spread of the imagery, you do not need to send the video or photo you wish to have removed – it will never need to leave your device, and it will never be seen by another person.

At Yubo, safety is at the center of every decision we make, and we are constantly working to make the platform as safe as possible. So it only made sense for us to collaborate with NCMEC and be part of a key step in this mission to eradicate CSAM online. 

With 99% of Yubo users being Gen Z ages 13-25, they may be vulnerable to practices such as revenge porn and nude photo sharing. It is important to us that we block all non-consensual use of sexually exploitative photos and videos on Yubo, and we have many advanced tools and practices in place to detect this type of harmful content. Take It Down will add yet another layer of safety and protection for our users while socializing on Yubo.

Is NCMEC’s Take It Down service available in my country?

Yes! Currently, the service is available globally in English and Spanish, and it is expected to be translated into 10+ more languages in the coming months. While Take It Down is available everywhere, the added reporting option on Yubo is currently only available for US users.

If my photos or videos have been shared without my consent, where can I find support?

Always report any inappropriate content immediately to Yubo, and our 24/7 Safety Specialists will be able to help. They are always on hand to support you in removing inappropriate content and to help make Yubo as safe as possible. However, having your private images exposed can cause significant psychological distress, and we will always advise you to contact a trusted person or a specialist to discuss and support you through this.

Below you will find some NGOs that will be ready to listen and assist you.

Stop Non-Consensual Intimate Image Abuse (International)

And please remember, there are many people here to support you. You are not alone, and you do not have to be ashamed of having been a victim of online crime.

Yubo's new reporting feature in partnership with NCMEC

Celebrate Black voices this Black History Month (and every other month) by reading words written, stories told, and history explained by Black authors. Here is a list of books by Black authors to help you learn, understand, and celebrate both Black history and Black excellence. 

If you’re interested in buying any of the books listed below, please check out Racial Justice Bookshelf to help guide you to Black-Owned Bookstores to purchase them from!

The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness  by Michelle Alexander

Alexander points out the racial disparities in the criminal justice system, and argues that mass incarceration has become a new form of oppression for Black Americans in the post-civil rights era. 

W.E.B Du Bois explores the experiences of black Americans in the aftermath of slavery in terms of race, identity, and the struggle for equality. Read free here.

The Autobiography of Malcolm X by Malcolm X and Alex Haley

Malcolm X, the Muslim leader, firebrand, and anti-integrationist, tells the extraordinary story of his life and the growth of the Black Muslim movement. 

Stamped From The Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America by Ibram X. Kendi

Kendi chronicles the entire story of anti-black racist ideas and their staggering power over the course of American history. He uses the life stories of five major American intellectuals to drive this history. 

Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave by Frederick Douglass

The autobiography of Frederick Douglass, a former slave who escaped and became a leading abolitionist. Read free here.

The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America’s Great Migration by Isabel Wilkerson

Three young people set out on a perilous journey out of the Jim Crow South to the North and West in search of what novelist Richard Wright called “the warmth of other suns.”

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas (Urban Fiction) 

A sixteen-year-old girl was the only witness to a fatal shooting of her best friend at the hands of a police officer. What everyone wants to know is: what really went down that night? And the only person alive who can answer that is Starr. 

Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates (Biography) 

Coates offers a powerful new framework for understanding our nation’s history and current crisis by writing this novel as a letter to his adolescent son. 

Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi (Historical Fiction) 

Gyasi illuminates slavery’s troubled legacy both for those who were taken and those who stayed – and shows how the memory of captivity has been inscribed on the soul of our nation.

Sin, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward (Thriller) 

When the white father of Leonie’s children is released from prison, she packs her kids and a friend into her car and sets out across the state for Parchman Farm, the Mississippi State Penitentiary, on a journey rife with danger and promise. 

The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett (Historical Fiction) 

A stunning new novel about twin sisters, inseparable as children, who ultimately choose to live in two very different worlds, one black and one white. 

Red At the Bone by Jacqueline Woodson (Domestic Fiction) 

Red At the Bone is about love, and family, and the Tulsa Race Massacre, and Brooklyn, and getting pregnant young, and falling in love for the first time, and heartbreak, and motherhood, and daughterhood – the list goes on and on. 

Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid (Domestic Fiction) 

A gripping page-turner with serious things to say about racism, class, gender, parenting, and privilege in modern America. 

The Water Dancer by Ta-Nehisi Coates (Historical & Fantasy Fiction) 

An unexpected journey into the covert war on slavery that takes Hiram from the corrupt grandeur of Virigna’s proud plantations to desperate guerilla cells in the wilderness, from the coffin of the deep South to dangerously utopic movements in the North. 

Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (Fiction) 

A powerful, tender story of race and identity. Two young lovers depart for the west, one landing in America, and the other entering a dangerous, undocumented life in London. Fifteen years later, they reunite in a newly democratic Nigeria and reignite their passion – for each other and for their homeland. 

Michelle Obama invites readers into her world, chronicling the experiences that have shaped her – from her childhood on the South side of Chicago to her years as an executive balancing the demands of motherhood and work, to her time spent at the world’s most famous address. 

Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race by Margot Lee Shetterly 

Hidden Figures recovers the history of these pioneering women and situates it in the intersection of the deining movements of the American century: the Cold War, the Spae Race, and the Civil Rights movement and the quest for gender equality. 

Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison (Fiction) 

A nameless narrator describes growing up in a Black community in the South, attending a Negro college from which he was expelled, moving to New York and becoming the chief spokesman of the Harlem branch of “the Brotherhood”. 

Black Fortunes: The Story of the First Six African Americans Who Escaped Slavery and Became Millionaires by Shomari Wills

Between the years of 1830 and 1927, as the last generation of Blacks born into slavery was reaching maturity, a small group of industrious, tenacious, and daring men and women broke new ground to attain the highest levels of financial success. 

Black Women in Science: A Black History Book for Kids by Kimberly Brown Pellum

Celebrates the incredible Black women in STEM who have used their brains, bravery and ambition to beat the odds. Features 15 powerful stories of fearless female scientists. 

Celebrate Black voices this Black History Month (and every other month) by reading words written, stories told, and history explained by Black authors. Here is a list of books by Black authors to help you learn, understand, and celebrate both Black history and Black excellence. If you’re interested in buying any of the books listed below, please check out Racial Justice Bookshelf to help guide you to Black-Owned Bookstores to purchase them from!

Books By Black Authors That Everyone Should Read

We spend a lot of time online, whether it is scrolling, watching, reading, commenting, or creating, we experience a lot of interactions. We both witness interactions between others and often engage in an online interaction ourselves. While most of the time being online is a pleasant experience, it is still possible to have a negative encounter every now and then. 

In fact, some online interactions and habits can actually be toxic in nature and can range from minor annoyances to genuinely stressful or harmful situations. Gen Z grew up with large amounts of exposure to the fast-changing and continually new internet landscape. Further, social media became synonymous with Gen Z when speaking about the internet – emphasizing the importance of this topic.

What are the damages of toxic online behaviors?

We’re just going to dive right into this difficult topic, so here we go. Toxic online behaviors and habits range greatly in severity and how they affect each individual. The most common negative effects of these behaviors are:

Increased anxiety and depression. The internet is often a place where people speak without thinking. They speak a little too freely and often do not connect the username they are speaking harshly towards to the human behind it. The internet is a big place, loaded with information and opinions that can come at you from every angle. It can be overwhelming and often conflicting with your own personal beliefs. A combination of these realities can lead individuals to have feelings of shame, embarrassment, low self-esteem, anger, sadness, pessimism, and more. These negative experiences and feelings can lead to increased levels of anxiety and depression, which may have a long-term impact on one’s mental wellbeing.

Social isolation. Despite social media being a fantastic place to connect with others and socialize with people of similar interests,  online toxic behaviors from others or even your own habits (which we will discuss later) can increase the feeling of isolation. Sometimes you might wonder, “am I the only one out there?” and while the answer is absolutely, “no,” it might not feel like that. Again, due to the vastness of social media, individuals might find themselves in virtual places that conflict with their beliefs or identity, leading them to feel ostracized.

Negative body image. Social media has the tendency to promote unrealistic beauty standards across the board. Filters and photoshopping apps have also made this issue much more apparent, and images people post are curated to highlight their best looks. Seeing others constantly looking great can negatively affect our image of ourselves.

Addiction to social media. Many platforms build their apps around keeping users engaged, typically through making the app experience extremely fun and rewarding. Interacting with these apps can get our brain to release positive chemicals, known as endorphins, that make us want to keep coming back for more. Spending excessive amounts of time online can lead to addiction, which can have a serious negative impact on your quality of life.

Trauma. Worst case scenario, online experiences can be traumatic. While this is less common, it is just as real. Events like cyberbullying, doxxing, threats, and all hateful acts can cause lasting emotional and mental harm.

There are obvious behaviors like cyberbullying, doxxing, trolling, grooming, harassment, and stalking, which are never, ever okay. If you do notice any of these behaviors, please report them through the appropriate app features and even to your local law enforcement if needed. It is everyone's responsibility to keep the internet a safe place.

Here are some less-obvious toxic habits that you might encounter online:

Gaslighting. This is the act of lying to someone in order to convince them of a false truth. They begin to question their own sanity and perception of reality. While this might sound fun to do to your friends, it is a toxic behavior that can have serious implications. There is such a high volume of information and voices on the internet that it can be hard to decipher the truth. By promoting a false truth, you are also helping spread misinformation. You can combat gaslighting and misinformation by doing your own research and sometimes unplugging from the slew of other opinions to decide on your own.

Cancel culture. Cancel culture is a relatively new movement that has been commonly used on celebrities and corporations. Cancel culture is when people publicly shame or boycott an individual or brand for their actions or opinions. While you don’t need to agree and be passive about everything, cancel culture can be intense and leaves no room for learning or improvement through conversation.

Doom scrolling. A common habit social media users have is doom scrolling. The world is full of issues and, thanks to the internet, we can see all the issues at the same time all in one place. This can obviously lead to feelings of dread or “doom,” as the name suggests. It is easy to think the world is ending when every news article or post is about something horrible. Of course, acknowledging the harsh realities of the world is necessary to improve it, but if you only look at negative information, it can give you a pessimistic outlook on the world and heighten your anxiety. Remember, behind every storm sits a calm, blue sky.

Comparison. Finally, the most common toxic behavior we are all guilty of: comparing ourselves to others. It is natural to compare ourselves to others. However, it is never fair and often leaves us feeling bad about ourselves. Once you add the layer of social media, a place where people post highlights of their life, it can make your life feel inferior. When you look through someone's social media, you might get the impression that their life is perfect and awesome, which can lead to feelings of jealousy or a tainted perspective of your own life. 

If it's one thing we hope you take away from this blog, it's that you are now more aware of some of the toxic behaviors or risks of spending too much time online. We hope this will help you to be more mindful of how these aspects of your online experience might affect yourself and others. As always, if you are dealing with any of these, we recommend you speak to someone you trust – whether that is a parent or other family member, teacher, counselor, or friend. At Yubo, we’re also here for you too. 

We spend a lot of time online, whether it is scrolling, watching, reading, commenting, or creating, we experience a lot of interactions. We both witness interactions between others and often engage in an online interaction ourselves. While most of the time being online is a pleasant experience, it is still possible to have a negative encounter every now and then.

Avoiding Online Toxic Habits

While the short and sweet answer would be diverse, there is a lot to unpack here! Yubo has over 60 million active users from all across the world, with its three largest communities residing in the United States, the United Kingdom, and France. While those are Yubo’s three largest communities, Yubo is also popular in places like the Philippines, Australia, Canada, Brazil, and the list just keeps going!

Do these communities use Yubo differently? 

Each country tends to have its own “style” of livestream. For example, The UK favors debate Lives. Most debates are about trending topics that can be funny or controversial. Regardless of what they are, one thing is for certain, they will be debated. The more ridiculous or satirical the argument, the more the UK users seem to enjoy it. France also loves its debates, and like its nation's high attention to social issues, the debates are often focused on social justice or politics. A lot can be learned from listening to those Lives. On the other end of the spectrum, there is the US who simply loves to entertain. US users not only enjoy the in-app games Yubo provides, but they have even created a few of their own games using the in-app prompts provided – such as using the “Would You Rather” boxes to conduct polls and using the spin the wheel from “Draw Quiz” to randomly select other users – pretty nifty. US users are also the most active participants in Yubo challenges and they never disappoint. Some of the more tight-knit Yubo communities are those in Latin America. They tend to have close connections with each other and spend a lot of time just hanging out together on Yubo.

Are there different types of profiles within the Yubo streamer community?

Naturally, there are different types of people who stream on Yubo Lives. There are solo entertainers, hosts for talent shows, or the majority of people just tryna hang out with a few of their friends or meet new ones. While some users primarily use swipes and direct messaging to connect with new people, on the flip side, there are also users who primarily use the app for its live streaming feature. The overwhelming majority of users dabble in both swipes and Lives – how could you not? There are roughly three types of Yubo streamers. There are the “entertainers” who always put on a show. They love to host talent shows, game nights, debates, meet and greets, and more. These lives often have a high number of viewers and are pretty fast-paced. Then, there are the “solo” streamers. These people are typically charismatic, funny, or both. They often talk with viewers, briefly rotate inviting people on stage with them, and tell lots of stories. Last but not least, there are the majority of Live users, the “friends.” These are people who use Yubo exactly as it's intended, they hop in small Lives and meet new people or chill with their friends virtually. 

How can such diverse communities make friends with others who share their passions? 

Although the background of Yubo users is both ethnically and culturally diverse, they still find commanilites through tags. If you don’t know, tags are topics of interest (for example, music artists, TV shows, sports or activities) that users can pin to their profile, making it easiest for people with similar or the same tags to find each other. You can also search for profiles based on tags, making it that much easier to find others with similar interests. Of the over eight million tags, some of the top tags across Yubo include: Naruto, Stranger Things, Minecraft, Drake, and The Avengers.

Can I make friends with Yubo users in another country? 

Of course with an international user base comes a wide array of languages and dialects. Users have access to Lives in other languages and can also add friends from other countries! This presents a great opportunity for users to find out about other cultures, as well as practice and learn other languages. After all, the best way to learn a new language is to speak it.

Are there any similarities across all of Yubo’s community?

While Yubo is a global app, one of the main factors our international user base has in common is the generation they are a part of: Gen Z. Generation Z, sometimes referred to as Centennials for being born on the turn of the century, were born anywhere between 1995 and 2010. This means that Gen Z currently spans the ages of 13 to 28 (at the time of writing). 99% of Yubo users are between the ages of 13 and 25, making nearly all of them Gen Z. All in all, this may seem like a huge age gap when thinking about interacting online. This is why Yubo has implemented a few powerful systems to keep users interacting with people of a similar age. While we can’t give away all of our secrets, we will briefly explain how these systems create an online environment for Gen Z to interact that is as safe and healthy as possible.

First off, Yubo requires all of its users to verify their age using cutting-edge age estimation technology. This ensures that each user is actually who they say they are. Our age verification system works hand in hand with what we call “age gates.” Yubo implements age gates, which can otherwise described as different groups or communities on the app based on age, that separates users based on their age and limits interactions teens from adults – similar to how you would interact with others in real life. For example, if you are 15, you are much more likely to hang out with other 15 or 16 year olds than someone who is say 25. 

You might be wondering how old you must be to use Yubo? The minimum age someone must be to use Yubo is 13 years old. If they are under 13, they are unable to create an account or use the platform. And if you're not at least 13 years old, our age verification system will make sure you can't join Yubo. Wait a few years and come back and we'll be happy to introduce you to the whole Yubo community.

Yubo was designed specifically for this generation, so it makes sense that 99% of our community is Gen Z between ages 13-25. So while the app is currently made for this age range, Gen Z is growing every year and it is normal that Yubo evolves with these users. 

Are you new to Yubo? Or are you a Yellow user and want to know more about the Yubo community? You've come to the right place! We'll introduce you to our community and all the different types of people you can meet. Welcome to the Yubo community.

Come and Meet the Yubo Community

In grade school, Valentine’s Day was about pretty pink decorations, giving out cards and candy, coloring in hearts, and discovering secret crushes. But now that you’re a few years older, you might have realized that the kind of display of love brought upon by this day, is overtly commercialized and not for you. We can understand why this could be enough to make you sick, but rather than letting baby cupid take you down, why don’t you instead celebrate yourself. Put selfcare first and take yourself on a date this Valentine’s Day.

You may be thinking: “Okay, but what can I even do?” Romanticize your life, treat yourself to something nice, put yourself first, and most importantly, don’t worry about what others think. Yes, going out by yourself can be scary or nerve-wracking for some, but you can’t let it stop you from enjoying yourself. So here’s a list of ideas of what you can do: 

What’s so special about going out to eat alone? You get to focus on yourself rather than those around you. This includes eating at your own pace, spending the time as you wish to spend it, not having to share dessert, and all with great company guaranteed.  In fact, dining alone can even increase your entire sensory experience of the dinner. 

Movies are far less intimidating to try out alone than restaurants. You’re in a dark room, with other individuals sparsely seated around you all looking at the screen. So, head to your local theater, get your favorite snacks and maybe an ICEE, and go get comfy. It doesn’t matter the type of movie you see, as long as you’re excited to see it. 

Prefer binging to movie theater-watching? No problem! Enjoy a streaming date at home. Prepare your bed or your couch with your favorite blankets, pillows, snacks, drinks, fuzzy socks and your go-to water bottle (of course). The key here is to really focus on what will make you happy. For extra comfort, look into how to make your space a bit more Hygge too. 

Like Miley Cyrus, go buy yourself some flowers. Flowers are not only beautiful, but they can have real benefits, such as increasing your mood, helping you relax, and even helping you feel better throughout the day. And they smell good too. Whether it’s roses, tulips, or dandelions you pick for yourself, just ensure it’s flowers you’ll enjoy having in your home and that will bring you joy. 

To clarify, we’re not talking about throwing some pasta in boiling water and calling it a day. No, we mean to get into your Master Chef state of mind and try out cooking something fun! Make sure to set up a nice candlelight dinner with your finest cutlery. This dinner is about you and forming a better relationship with your food. 

Take yourself out shopping this Valentine’s Day! Give yourself a budget beforehand (for safety purposes) and then go to your favorite store and indulge. If you start feeling guilty for spending money on yourself, just remind yourself that you deserve to treat yourself and lean into the process. Take your time walking around the stores, trying stuff on if applicable, and contemplating whether to make the purchase on your own terms and your own time. 

Who doesn’t love a creativity session? Channel your inner child, get some paint, markers, crayons, etc. and have an arts and crafts day! You can get some inspiration of what to create from your favorite social media sites, or check out this fabulous article on DIY crafts! All that matters is that you have fun! Included in arts and crafts is scrapbooking. Print out some of your favorite photos (or create a digital scrapbook) and relive those memories with happiness as you figure out the best way to display them. 

Make a List of Activities You’d Like to do

Make a list of all activities you’d be interested in trying out (and yes, trying out solo). Even after Valentine’s Day, you can refer to this list. Want to make it a bit more interesting? Get out some supplies and make a unique, cute jar to keep slips of papers with your ideas written on inside. Anytime you’re interested in taking yourself on a date, you can just pull out a piece of paper! Here are some suggestions to get you started: Go to a coffee shop, take a relaxing bath, head to a bookstore, visit a museum, go on a hike, have a spa day, bake your favorite treats, try a new restaurant, learn how to (insert activity here), write a letter to yourself. 

And lastly, don’t forget to love yourself. The true key to everything here is just to love and appreciate yourself. Don’t allow yourself to get caught up in the Valentine’s Day craze or worry about what others are doing or what they may think of you. The only opinion that truly matters is your own. So, go out and take yourself on a date this Valentine’s Day! 

Take Yourself On A Date This Valentine's Day

Love is in the air this Valentine’s Day, and no matter how you’ll be spending it, here’s the Rom-Com you’ll be staring in based on your zodiac sign. 

You probably just got teary-eyed seeing the title of The Notebook. It’s okay, Cancers, we know this one requires some tears. A forbidden love that overcomes time, division, and life is the type of romance you are made for. This Valentine’s Day, maybe you can start writing the first of those 365 letters. 

Comparing you to Cher? Ugh, as if! While yes, Cher can be a bit impulsive, impatient, and a small instigator, her heart is unmatched. She acts impulsively in ways that she believes will benefit others (such as setting up her two teachers). And at the end of it all, she realizes her mistakes, and falls for the one who consistently helps her become her best self, which after all, is the most you can ask for from a partner. 

A career-driven individual who is so stubborn they pursue an insane challenge just to prove they can. Sounds familiar? The stubbornness and persistence Andie demonstrates in this rom-com can only be matched by a Taurus. Eventually, though, after spending a painstaking amount of time attempting to prove yourself, you’ll realize there are other, more important aspects to life and open yourself to new possibilities. 

Just like Elle, Geminis like to do it all, and can do it all. You follow your wants, and rather than wishing for it to happen, you make it happen. This is your life, so you decide to live it as you want and live it with pride. Whether it’s mastering the moves on Dance Dance Revolution, sharing your uncensored opinions, or pursuing that one person who makes you feel a way you’ve never felt before, The Kissing Booth is the rom-com you’d most likely find yourself in. 

You may not be as familiar with this Netflix rom-com, so here’s a quick rundown:

Two corporate employees who have dedicated their lives to the job decide to set up their two bosses in hopes of opening more free time for themselves. Of course, this set-up leads to the two employees, seemingly opposites, falling in love. Just like Aquarius’s, the two main characters are quite clever and forge their own paths. 

Leos, we know your high self-esteem is incomparable most of the time, and that’s okay. Just like Zack, being overly confident can push you to engage in a bet that offers no winners. What happens when someone ignores Leos’ attention, you ask? Well, it’s not like you were going to let it go that easy, and the argument can just go on and on because of your stubbornness… However, there’s always that one person who can bring you around and help you drop that mask. 

Headstrong perfectionist who feels ununderstood in this wild world may apply to you, but it also applies to Kat from 10 Things I Hate About You. Like her, you proudly speak your mind and want to achieve everything you’ve dreamed of. Though, for you, Virgo, this Valentine’s Day you may just find out that the unexpected could be a bit welcomed. And by unexpected, we mean a schoolwide musical performance. 

You, as a Pisces, are likely a dreamer who often can be viewed as living between reality and another world. Just like this magical rom-com, you dream of the day of being thirty, flirty, and thriving. But despite all of that, you’re a mushy romantic who will follow your heart no matter what. 

To clarify, this is referencing Hillary Duff and Chad Michale Murray’s iconic retelling of Cinderella. You’re a social butterfly who cares about others and, in doing so, can often put yourself last. Well, Libra, just like Sam, we want to discover the importance of filling your glass before you fill others and stand up for what you believe in. Chad Michael Murray is just the bonus on top of that self-fulfillment.


What screams Scorpio more than an enemy to lovers rom-com? Like this tension-filled rom-com, you can be intense and put your emotions out there. You're honest about how you feel and aren’t afraid to get your hands dirty for some much-needed (light) revenge either. 

Sagittarius: To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before

Sagittariuses take chances, and so does Laura Jean. Sure, sending your past unsent love letters to your ex-crushes may seem like a mistake, but Laura took the opportunity to create a plan of her own and fake-dated Peter. In true Sagittarius fashion, Laura Jean took an optimistic & brilliant leap to resolve an issue, and ended up even happier in the end. 

We’re changing up a bit for Capricorns, and rather than saying you’re the main character, you’d be all the main characters of this hectic film. Like Cal (Steve Carell), you like to stick to traditions and what you know. You’re a rule follower, and that’s okay. Like Jacob (Ryan Gosling), you’re determined to get what you want and diligent about how you go about achieving it. While you like to be practical as Hannah (Emma Stone), not everything can go as planned, and that’s okay to accept as you never know where your heart will take you. 

Love is in the air this Valentine’s Day and no matter how you’ll be spending it, here’s the Rom-Com you’ll be staring in based on your zodiac sign. 

Yubo Horoscope: What Rom-Com You'd Star In

Safer Internet Day is an annual global event organized by the European networks Insafe and INHOPE. Every year in February, stakeholders from all sectors (NGOs, institutions, and companies) mobilize to promote a better internet for young people, their parents, caretakers and educators. They encourage responsible online behaviour by sharing resources and advice. Celebrated in more than 150 countries, this event is a must for digital education.

What is the theme of Safer Internet Day 2023

This year's Safer Internet Day will take place on February 7, 2023 and the theme will be 'Want to talk about it? Making space for conversations about life online.’ The objective is to put children's and young people's voices at the center of the day and encourage them to share their experiences online, in turn, to help shape the safety support that they receive.

This year is a special one, as the event will be celebrating its 20th anniversary. To celebrate this, the organizers will highlight all of the achievements of the past years during a big virtual event where they will also be giving the floor to young people to describe their online experience and discuss new solutions for the future. This event perfectly fits with the theme of the year, allowing the younger generations to express themselves and to be heard by institutions and companies.

What is Yubo doing for Safer Internet 2023? 

For the fourth year in a row, Yubo is taking part in Safer Internet Day to offer helpful resources and information to our users. To do so, Yubo is collaborating with two NGOs for in-app swipe campaigns in the US, UK, France, Canada, Ireland, South Africa and Australia.  

Childnet is a UK-based charity working to make the internet a great and safe place for children and young people. They empower children and those who support them in their online lives by sharing the knowledge and skills they need to make the most out of the internet. 

Childnet is also one of the historic organizers of Safer Internet Day, so they are the perfect partner to help us provide resources relevant to the event's themes.

At Yubo, our mission is to empower young people to discover and belong. It is, therefore, essential for us to provide our users with as safe a space as possible to express themselves and share their ideas and opinions. 

The theme 'Want to talk about it? Making space for conversations about life online is a theme that is very close to our hearts, and we wanted to involve Childnet directly in sharing resources and advice with our users. 

In working with them to create an in-app campaign, our English-speaking users will be able to access helpful tips and information through swiping beginning February 7.

This campaign has been specifically designed to encourage young people to share their online experiences. All users who decide to swipe right on the campaign will be redirected to the page with tips on how to participate in this year's Safer Internet Day and especially on responsible online behaviour.

If our users want to go further, they can also participate in this quiz created by Childnet for Safer Internet Day.

Respect Zone is a French NGO specializing in the prevention, support and care of young people facing cyber-violence, cyber-bullying and online hate. The NGO is known for its proactive vision and does not hesitate to bring these issues into the public debate in order to raise awareness among key stakeholders.

What is Yubo organising with Respect Zone? 

Yubo and Respect Zone have been partners for a long time, and we have the same proactive vision for the safety of our users. It is important for us to collaborate with organizations that share our values and that will understand and support our approach to online safety. 

Respect Zone is constantly working to improve its reporting and user support systems. They recently released a Respect Zone app, which helps users to manage cyberbullying or online harassment by providing them with tailored advice depending on their situation and who they are (young person, educator or parent). The app raises awareness of the invisible signs of cyberbullying and supports anyone who finds themselves a victim of it by offering a space to express themselves in complete safety. 

RespectZone Homophobie APP

Yubo will be supporting Respect Zone by sharing its awareness campaign with its French users and promoting the app to its young community who may encounter bullying and harassment online. 

Respect Zone   Sexisme   DONS

To promote its new app, Respect Zone has created three mini clips depicting situations of harassment and the effect it can have on young people. To be relevant to as many people as possible, the clips cover different issues such as sexual harassment, body shaming or homophobia. These clips will help make users aware of all the varying forms of harassment and of the effects they can have.

RespectZone Grossophobie APP

For the fourth year in a row, Yubo is taking part in Safer Internet Day to offer helpful resources and information to our users. To do so, Yubo is collaborating with two NGOs for in-app swipe campaigns in the US, UK, France, Canada, Ireland, South Africa and Australia. 

Have an open conversation on Safer Internet Day 2023

You’ve probably heard of some of the world’s greatest Black activists including Martin Luther King Jr, Harriet Tubman, Malcolm X, and Frederick Douglas. While it will always be important to recognize these figures and how they’ve changed our world and contributed to the evolution of our humanity, it’s also important to acknowledge the people who are making history today. For this Black History Month, we’re highlighting modern black achievements  to not only acknowledge those who have made history, but to inspire and prove that anyone at any time, can leave their mark. 

Black History Month is a month dedicated to honoring the contributions and sacrifices of Black Americans who helped shape the nation. It’s also a month for celebrating Black Americans, their achievements, their culture, and their legacies. 

February was first officially recognized as Black History month in 1976 by President Gerald Ford. February was chosen because of Carter G Woodson, an American historian and founder of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History. Woodson established Negro History Week as a week in February in 1926. He chose this because of both President Lincoln and Frederick Douglas having their birthdays celebrated in February. 

The first Black, first Asian American, and first female vice president. Starting her career as a deputy district attorney in California, Harris worked her way to become Attorney General of California, then a member of the U.S. Senate, and finally, in 2021, she was sworn in as the vice president. An achievement that only 48 other Americans have ever experienced and that marks many firsts for this country. 

The first and only Black driver in Formula 1 (F1) racing, and the first Black driver to win the F1 World Driver’s Championship. Not only that, but he also made history by having the F1 record for most career race victories and is tied for the most World Drivers’ Championships. Hamilton eventually created The Hamilton Commission, an organization dedicated to improving Black representation in UK motorsport. 

Harvard Assistant Professor of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Dr. Corbett was the lead scientist on the mRNA-1273 vaccine (more regularly known as a part of the Moderna vaccine). At just 35 years old, Dr. Corbett earned a TIME Magazine Hero of the Year designation and has become recognized as a leader in science today. 

Ryan Coogler is the first Black director of a Marvel film. While this may seem niche, Marvel is the highest-grossing movie franchise of all time with Coogler’s Black Panther being the 18th movie to be released in the franchise. Coogler has since also directed Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and, outside of the Marvel franchise, is notable for directing the Creed movie series as well. Even after 30+ Marvel movies have been released, Black Panther stands as Marvel’s 6th highest grossing film. 

Nia DaCosta is the first Black female director of a Marvel film with her film, Captain Marvel, being the 21st movie of the Marvel franchise. She will make her return to Marvel with the upcoming The Marvels. DaCosta is also known for directing Candyman. 

The first person to be named National Youth Poet Laureate and the youngest inaugural poet in U.S. history. Gorman’s work highlights important social and political issues and inspires others to strive for a better future. To quote Gorman, “There is always light. If only we’re brave enough to see it. If we’re only brave enough to be it.”

The most decorated gymnast in World Championships history, with a total of 32 World and Olympic medals. She is the first woman to win five world all-around titles, three World balance beam titles, and five World floor exercise titles. Biles even (accidentally) became a mental health advocate for athletes, when she opted out of competing for fear for her safety due to her mental health state in the Tokyo 2020 olympics. 

Ta-Nehisi Coates is a renowned journalist, writer, and author who has been recognized with countless awards for his thought-provoking writing on race and politics in the United States. His nonfiction book, Between The World and Me, urges the discussion of feelings, symbolism, and realities of being Black in the United States. 

Former Georgia State Representative, Stacey Abrams, is the first Black woman to lead in the Georgia General Assembly. She is a voting rights activist and an author who has won awards for her work on social justice. She founded Fair Fight, an organization promoting fair elections across the United States. 

These individuals represent just a fraction of the many Black individuals who have made significant contributions and achieved notable milestones in the United States in recent years. Their accomplishments in fields ranging from politics to sports, business to science, and art to activism continue to inspire and empower future generations of Americans. These achievements demonstrate the strength, resilience, and impact of Black individuals in the United States today and give us hope for the future. 

Modern Black Achievements

It’s never easy when a friendship ends. Whether you decided to end it because it’s a relationship that’s no longer positive, there was a relationship-ending event, or it was a totally mutual and natural decision to break up – it still hurts. Losing a friend is not talked about nearly as much as romantic breakups are, but it can hurt just as much – if not more – than a romantic breakup. Friends are people you go on adventures with, hang out with constantly, laugh with, cry with, and share priceless moments with. Losing that can be pretty tough, even if it came to a natural end. It’s completely normal to feel down bad.

Here are some tips on how to help you get through your loss, move past it, and hopefully, come to peace with it.

Exercise. It may sound ridiculous, but if you are not currently active, adding some grit and sweat to your day will make a huge difference. After losing a friend, it’s likely you're feeling down on yourself and maybe even experiencing some symptoms of depression. Exercise is not a complete cure, but it will definitely help you see the light at the end of the tunnel and get those positive endorphins flowing. It's biological. Now, exercise can take many different forms, so you’re not forced to lift weights in a sweaty commercial gym (unless you want to). Playing sports, going on walks, running, even yoga, are all forms of exercise that will help lighten your mood. Exercise is a simple and easy starting point.

Acknowledge your situation. You might think, my situation is obvious, I lost a close friendship. Stating the obvious might technically be acknowledgement, but not in the full sense of the word. Yes, you lost a friend, but how does that affect you now? Are you sad? Or are you feeling relieved? Do you miss them or wish you could take things back? These are important questions that will help you understand your emotional state and process the feelings you’re having so you can heal. By understanding your emotional state, or simply, how your friendship breakup is sitting with you, you have more information to take the right steps forward.

Be Sad. This may sound counter intuitive, but feeling sad can actually be a really positive thing. What you just went through is tough, really tough. You lost a valid connection with another human being and all the history you share with them may even seem tainted. Repressing emotions is never a good thing and often only buries those feelings which eventually will appear later on or makes those feelings worse. Losing a friend is sad, and those feelings you have are valid. So take the time you need to feel sad.

Change it up. You just lost something, even though a friend is not a physical thing. Your life might feel like there is now a void or empty space. You might still be falling into old habits like going to send them a meme or call them when you are bored. Changing your life up can help to wipe away old habits and let you start fresh. You will be more conscious of what you are doing and hopefully, get a little creative with your time. Another aspect of losing a friend that changing it up really helps with is if your ex-friend was a part of the same friend group. This might be uncomfortable for everyone in that friend group, especially you. Try another friend group or even try making some new friends. This is not about replacing what you lost, but rather taking another useful step towards moving on. 

Reflect on your friendship. This may be a harder step for some, especially if you were in a friendship that  turned from sweet to sour. Many friendships end because of toxic or negative actions, whether they were one-sided or mutual. The root of the toxic events can often be passed over, making this breakup confusing or feel out of the blue. It’s important to identify what you took issue with in the friendship. Whether they are actions or values, you don’t need to agree with them. By identifying what went wrong, you will be able to determine potential red flags (or green flags) in future friendships. 

These are just some tips that might help you ease the grief of your loss. Remember, it takes time. It would be unfair to expect yourself to quickly and easily move on from losing a friend, even if they weren’t your bestie.

Here are some common reasons that friendships end:

If you are reading this blog post because you are in the wake of a friendship breakup or because one of your friends is currently going through one, we are sorry. It will get better. People change as life goes on and so do friendships. One last thing, never let losing a friend negatively impact your self worth. You might have negative thoughts running through your head like, “I wasn’t good enough,” that was never the case. Your feelings are valid and you deserve good friends. Even if it doesn’t seem like it now, your life will be full of opportunities to make many friends in the future – and maybe those friends will be even better suited to you than your last ones.

Tips for a Friendship Break Up

What superhero would chill with you in a Yubo Live based on your zodiac sign? Here’s your spoiler-free Yubo horoscope – superhero edition. 

Yubo's Take

Here for all of it.

Supporting the Black Community This Past Month

Yubo's new reporting feature in partnership with NCMEC

Books By Black Authors That Everyone Should Read

Avoiding Online Toxic Habits

Come and Meet the Yubo Community

Take Yourself On A Date This Valentine's Day

Yubo Horoscope: What Rom-Com You'd Star In

Have an open conversation on Safer Internet Day 2023

Modern Black Achievements

Tips for a Friendship Break Up

Yubo Horoscope: Superheros

The Importance of Recycling to Gen Z

Green Flags

How to Avoid Doxing

Social Social Media

New Year, Same You (But Better)

Yubo Horoscope: New Years Resolutions

Give Back to Your Community This Holiday Season

Yubo's 2022 NGO Partnerships Recap

Gen Z's View on Their Future