The day’s top picks in social media and technology for 12/3: When web hoaxes go viral; the dark side of Facebook and what your status updates might say about you; impact of social media trends on teens; Alabama kicker gets Twitter death threats after game loss; chilling Facebook post from mother days before she was killed; prison sentences for two who threatened judges on Facebook; Twitter use and contempt of court; Reddit user’s unofficial wishlist of Xbox One improvements; military gaming charity raises over $300K in donated gaming goods.

Read below for these stories and more.
 

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Featured Story.
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When web hoaxes go viral. Too often, they become part of the news cycle – without any verification.
These recent web hoaxes fooled the media

Speaking of which…this was the latest.
Elan Gale Hoax: Bachelor Producer Admits He Faked Airplane Feud

Buzzfeed, which first hurled the fake story into viral status, admits it was had.
The Truth Behind That Epic Note-Passing War On A Thanksgiving Flight

That said…
That hoax isn’t funny anymore: Elan Gale and the problem of reality online

And this…
What the story of ‘Diane in 7A’ can teach us about the quest for Internet fame

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Social Media/Tech Trends, Happenings and Faux Pas.
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Apparently emotional coldness, duplicity, and aggressiveness in your Facebook posts may be signs of something more concerning.
Your Facebook posts can reveal if you’re a psychopath

The Teen Vanishing Act: How the Latest Social Media Trends Are Hurting Our Kids

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Hoaxes, Harassment and Hacking.
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Ah Twitter, always the medium of decorum and self restraint.
Alabama Kicker Receives Several Death Threats On Twitter After Loss

Creepy and sad.
St. Louis mother posts chilling Facebook message days before she’s fatally stabbed

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Law and Order.
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Three years each in prison for two men who discussed killing two judges on Facebook.
2 Sentenced For Threatening Judges On Facebook

UK attorney general to issue legal warnings in an attempt to prevent Twitter users from posting prejudicial comments that could affect trials.
Tweeters warned about contempt of court

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Gamer-land.
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A military gaming charity raised over $300K worth of games and other goodies for troops deployed overseas and recovering in military hospitals, thanks to help from video game developers, publishers and players.
Operation Supply Drop Raises $300K for the Troops in November

One software developer has compiled the master list – Microsoft’s Larry “Major Nelson” Hryb says he’s passed the link on to company officials.
Reddit user compiling unofficial wishlist of Xbox One improvements