Rebecca Ruiz is a Senior Reporter at Mashable. She frequently covers mental health, digital culture, and technology. Her areas of expertise include suicide prevention, screen use and mental health, parenting, youth well-being, and meditation and mindfulness. Prior to Mashable, Rebecca was a staff writer, reporter, and editor at NBC News Digital, special reports project director at The American Prospect, and staff writer at Forbes. Rebecca has a B.A. from Sarah Lawrence College and a Master's in Journalism from U.C. Berkeley. In her free time, she enjoys playing soccer, watching movie trailers, traveling to places where she can't get cell service, and hiking with her border collie.
By Rebecca Ruiz
'The Bear' can't wait any longer for Carmy to evolve
Season 4 can only succeed if Carmy finds a way to process the trauma that haunts him.
By Rebecca Ruiz
FTC bans 'ask me anything' app for teen use
NGL: ask me anything app tricked young users and made false claims, says FTC.
By Rebecca Ruiz
The consequences of making a nonconsensual deepfake
Making a nonconsensual deepfake could lead to legal and financial repercussions.
By Rebecca Ruiz
AI chatbots are being used for companionship. What to know before you try it
The most important things to consider when designing an AI chatbot.
By Rebecca Ruiz
U.S. Surgeon General: Social media needs a warning label
"The mental health crisis among young people is an emergency."
By Rebecca Ruiz
Apple Watch users finally get a sick day function
WatchOS 11 will let Apple Watch wearers pause their activity rings, without losing their streak.
By Rebecca Ruiz
Apple's Cycle Tracking app to add gestational age
At WWDC 2024, Apple announced that Cycle Tracking will soon show gestational age during pregnancy.
By Rebecca Ruiz
Explicit deepfakes are traumatic. How to deal with the pain.
The fake imagery upends victims' lives, but healing is possible.
By Rebecca Ruiz
Your mental health coach is ready to text you now
Don't want to see a therapist? A mental health coach might be for you.
By Rebecca Ruiz
IRS makes Direct File a permanent option
The free IRS program for taxpayers will return in 2025, with expanded eligibility.
By Rebecca Ruiz
Google launches kids Fitbit with gaming features
Google is betting that both kids and parents will love the new Fitbit Ace LTE.
By Rebecca Ruiz
White House calls on tech companies to help stop deepfakes
The White House laid out strategies for stopping image-based sexual abuse.
By Rebecca Ruiz
Scarlett Johansson was 'shocked' by OpenAI 'Sky' voice
The 'Her' actress says OpenAI asked her to voice 'Sky' — and she said no.
By Rebecca Ruiz
What parents of tweens and teens need to know about BookTok
BookTok can be great for young readers, but some of the recommended content can be explicit and violent.
By Rebecca Ruiz
Loneliness isn't only a teen or adult problem. Little kids feel it, too.
Why screens may play a role in loneliness among young girls.
By Rebecca Ruiz
How to stop students from making deepfakes of each other
Educators don't know how to handle fake nude or explicit imagery made by students.
By Rebecca Ruiz
How to report crypto transactions on your taxes
It could be a costly mistake if you don't report digital assets like crypto.
By Rebecca Ruiz
Stop scrolling so much. Try these rituals instead.
Want meaningful practices that help lower your screen time? Try creating some 'emodiversity.'
By Rebecca Ruiz
Talking to someone online for emotional support may be riskier than you realize
These platforms promise to connect users to a compassionate listener, but the reality is far more complex.
By Rebecca Ruiz
California paid millions to access a mental health app. It wasn't safe for users.
The failure to disclose what happened with 7 Cups raises big questions about emotional support apps.
By Rebecca Ruiz
Emotional support platform 7 Cups beset by trolls
People go to 7 Cups to get emotional support, but some find themselves to be targets instead.
By Rebecca Ruiz
Teens who talk about their mental health on this app may be taking a big risk
Vulnerable teens may be targeted by predators.
By Rebecca Ruiz
Why online child exploitation is so hard to fight
Predators can weaponize social media platforms against vulnerable youth.
By Rebecca Ruiz
When is the last day to file taxes?
The date to file your return will be here before you know it.
By Rebecca Ruiz
IRS Direct File program now open to more taxpayers
The new program is accepting online returns from taxpayers in 12 states.
By Rebecca Ruiz
