This is a somewhat harrowing experience - but an important one nonetheless. YouTube has launched a new VR experience called 'Project Witness' which aims to raise awareness about the conditions incarcerated children face, and the significant impacts that they can subsequently have on their lives. It's also interesting to see how VR can be used as an immersive storytelling platform in order to communicate another perspective. Up till now, books and movies have been our best window into the viewpoint of another human, but VR takes that to a whole other level, which may make it an even more effective vehicle for communicating messages.

Pinterest: Merchants shall be verified

Pinterest is in the process of launching a Verified Merchant Program that will allow retailers on the platform to be verified, making their products eligible for distribution within Pinterest shopping experiences, including Shop the Look Pins and related product carousels. The program will roll out over the coming months. Brands can sign up to be put on a waitlist so that they’re notified when applications are open.

Instagram is testing video trimming tools

Instagram is working on a new trimming feature for Instagram Stories, which would make it easier to edit and upload your Stories videos within the app. The new option would provide a video slider trimming tool built into Stories, which would function in the same way as similar video editing tools available on other platforms. In the creative options along the top of the first frame, a new editing icon has been added. Tap on that and you’ll be taken through to the second frame trimming process.