PG-13 Influencing

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Happy Wednesday, Future Party. Here’s a wild stat: a new study by SEO firm Graphite found that roughly 52% of articles published between 2020 and 2025 are completely or mostly AI-generated. On one hand, that’s encouraging — a 2022 report by Europol, the law enforcement agency of the EU, predicted that number would hit 90% by now. On the other hand, 52% is still a lot of AI-written content.

Rest assured, though — human hands are still typing away on this newsletter.

Spotify has inked a deal with Netflix to distribute video podcasts of some of its top shows on the streaming giant’s platform.

The Big Picture: Netflix is no longer just competing with the likes of Disney+ and HBO Max for eyeballs — it’s going head-to-head with YouTube. While Google has downplayed that notion, Netflix’s moves to acquire programming from top digital creators and now distribute video podcasts show that the battle is truly on. 

Behind The Episodes: Netflix is now a film, TV, gaming, and podcast streamer — just like YouTube.

Final Buffer: Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos hinted at the move back in April when he said, “as the popularity of video podcasts grows, I suspect you’ll see some of them find their way to Netflix.” It’s a smart bet — Spotify reports that video podcasts are growing 50% annually, and Cumulus Media found that 72% of listeners now prefer shows with video.

It’s also a strategic pivot. Joe Rogan famously returned to YouTube for broader reach after his Spotify exclusivity ended, and now Spotify is chasing that same kind of mass visibility through Netflix — with The Ringer’s Bill Simmons leading the charge. 

Next Up: With Netflix routinely licensing new movies and shows from other streamers, expect it to now also license their companion podcasts if they have a video component.

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Instagram will now restrict content on Teen Accounts to align with the Motion Picture Association’s PG-13 rating standards.

Why It Hits: The shoe is finally dropping on unregulated social media as more studies (and, let’s be honest, plenty of real-world examples) reveal how harmful unrestricted online access can be for minors. Meta, naturally, has had the biggest target on its back for the past decade — so introducing a PG-13 rating is an effort to standardize access, much like other forms of entertainment.

Behind The Algorithm: Just as teens can’t buy a ticket to an R-rated movie without someone over 17, they’ll now face similar limitations on what they can see on Instagram.

The Future: Teen Accounts — which already come with restrictions on content, DMs, and even usage — have been a hit since launching a year ago. According to Instagram, 97% of 13-to-15-year-olds have kept the default restrictions enabled, and 94% of parents say they find them helpful. The new PG-13 rating restrictions appear to be stricter than Instagram’s existing settings, but they give Meta cover by citing an external standard instead of relying on internal moderation.

Hilariously, the MPA publicly announced it had no idea Instagram was using its rating system and clarified that it hadn’t been consulted on the change. In other words: “Please don’t sue us.”

Prediction: Expect some top creators, even family-friendly ones, to tweak or re-edit some of their content to ensure their teen followers can still see it.

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55.2% of you voted 🤝 A mix of both (individual states and the federal government) in yesterday’s poll: Who should take the lead in regulating AI chatbots?

“Federally: no social media for anyone under 16 (companies have no clue how to create or enforce proper guardrails), and no synthetic relationships under 18. States can go further, but not less.”

“Each one should hold the other accountable.”

“Since I don’t trust our current federal government, I’m going with both.”

Let’s keep the conversation going. Join our Poll Of The Day newsletter, so your opinions can shine. Discover how your views line up with your peers’, check out cool insights, and have some fun. It’s data with personality.

🎞️ Picturestart producer Erik Feig is set to run a new Saudi-backed studio, SNK Studios, which will focus on creating franchises inspired by games, anime, and other fandoms.

🎥 AI studio Promise is launching a new division, The Generation Company, led by GenAI filmmaker Nem Perez, to help legacy studios integrate AI-driven VFX.

🎤 Demi Lovato will give a live performance inside Roku’s screensaver, “Roku City.” Wild.

💍 Oura, the Finnish tech company behind the smart ring, has raised $900 million in funding from Fidelity.

🎨 Microsoft is joining the AI text-to-image generator wars with MAI-Image-1.

💄 Google Meet is rolling out an AI makeup feature in case you wake up five minutes before your next all-hands.

🛒 Walmart has joined OpenAI’s new in-chat shopping feature — proof that e-commerce is truly evolving.

👕 Nike and Cactus Plant Flea Market are extending their partnership with a new clothing line dropping next year.

👀 A new California law caps how much companies can charge customers for canceling subscription contracts early.