NYT Strands hints and answers for Friday, February 13 (game #712)

Looking for a different day?

A new NYT Strands puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Thursday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Strands hints and answers for Thursday, February 12 (game #711).

Strands is the NYT's latest word game after the likes of Wordle, Spelling Bee and Connections – and it's great fun. It can be difficult, though, so read on for my Strands hints.

Want more word-based fun? Then check out my NYT Connections today and Quordle today pages for hints and answers for those games, and Marc's Wordle today page for the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Strands today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Strands today (game #712) - hint #1 - today's theme

What is the theme of today's NYT Strands?

• Today's NYT Strands theme is… See what I mean?

NYT Strands today (game #712) - hint #2 - clue words

Play any of these words to unlock the in-game hints system.

• MAIN
• FROTH
• DRIP
• HIGH
• CHAT
• CHIVE

NYT Strands today (game #712) - hint #3 - spangram letters

How many letters are in today's spangram?

• Spangram has 10 letters

NYT Strands today (game #712) - hint #4 - spangram position

What are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?

First side: top, 1st column

Last side: bottom, 6th column

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Strands today (game #712) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #712, are…

• CHART
• VIDEO
• MODEL
• INFOGRAPHIC
• DIAGRAM
• PHOTO
• SPANGRAM: VISUALAIDS

---

• My rating: Hard
• My score: Perfect

---

I spotted the word “visual” in two different places on the board before piecing together the VISUALAIDS spangram. Spotting the yellow snake first really help me dash through this game, something I don’t think I would have done without that bit of luck.

One of my past jobs was compiling a weekly INFOGRAPHIC for a UK newspaper so I really should have seen that first, but instead I was pulled into the diagonal trio of CHART, VIDEO and MODEL. 

The use of VISUALAIDS is of course intended to help us process often difficult subjects. Sadly, it is all lost on me; even the thought of an overhead projector will instantly send me into a daydreaming trance due to its association with boring school lessons.

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Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Thursday, February 12, game #711)

• PIVOTAL
• RISKY
• CRITICAL
• DECISIVE
• IMPERATIVE
• SPANGRAM: HIGHSTAKES

---

What is NYT Strands?

Strands is the NYT's not-so-new-any-more word game, following Wordle and Connections. It's now a fully fledged member of the NYT's games stable that has been running for a year and which can be played on the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.

I've got a full guide to how to play NYT Strands, complete with tips for solving it, so check that out if you're struggling to beat it each day.

https://ift.tt/tM3gL9T

'That sounds like problematic use': You're not addicted to Instagram, says its boss – you're just 'binging' it like a Netflix show

---

• Instagram boss Adam Mosseri insists the app is not addictive
• Social media apps are on trial for causing mental health issues
• There is 'problematic use' in some cases, Mosseri admits

---

Adam Mosseri, who has been the head of Instagram since 2018, has had some interesting things to say about addiction on the platform. Mosseri was speaking at a high-profile trial in California investigating the mental health impacts of social media.

Meta's social platforms and YouTube are currently in the dock. They're accused of designing their apps to be as addictive as possible, leading to compulsive use that drives health problems such as body dysmorphia, anxiety, and depression.

"It's important to differentiate between clinical addiction and problematic use," Mosseri said (via the BBC). When it was put to him that the main plaintiff in the case, known as KGM, had once spent 16 hours on the platform, he said "that sounds like problematic use".

"I'm sure I've said that I've been addicted to a Netflix show when I binged it really late one night, but I don't think it's the same thing as clinical addiction," Mosseri went on to say, refusing to label the user behavior described in the trial as addictive.

'Digital casinos'

YouTube is another company in the dock (Image credit: Shutterstock / Photo Agency)

While Meta and YouTube are defending themselves, Snap and TikTok have already settled with KGM out of court. The 20-year-old Californian woman sued the social media platforms in 2023, and opening statements have been heard this week.

KGM's lawyer, Mark Lanier, has argued that these apps and services are essentially "digital casinos", and has highlighted that internal documents from these accused companies have compared their technology with Big Tobacco.

Meta's defense is that the mental health issues of KGM were brought about primarily by other factors in her life, including abuse and problems at home. However, the plaintiff had previously made over 300 complaints to Instagram about bullying on the platform.

The trial comes as social media companies face increasing scrutiny over the impacts their algorithms and features have on users. Late last year, Australia banned under-16s from social media, a move that other countries are also considering.

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NYT Strands hints and answers for Thursday, February 12 (game #711)

Looking for a different day?

A new NYT Strands puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Wednesday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Strands hints and answers for Wednesday, February 11 (game #710).

Strands is the NYT's latest word game after the likes of Wordle, Spelling Bee and Connections – and it's great fun. It can be difficult, though, so read on for my Strands hints.

Want more word-based fun? Then check out my NYT Connections today and Quordle today pages for hints and answers for those games, and Marc's Wordle today page for the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Strands today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Strands today (game #711) - hint #1 - today's theme

What is the theme of today's NYT Strands?

• Today's NYT Strands theme is… Sink or swim

NYT Strands today (game #711) - hint #2 - clue words

Play any of these words to unlock the in-game hints system.

• GRATE
• SLACK
• GIVE
• TAKE
• POSIT
• CAST
• HIVE

NYT Strands today (game #711) - hint #3 - spangram letters

How many letters are in today's spangram?

• Spangram has 10 letters

NYT Strands today (game #711) - hint #4 - spangram position

What are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?

First side: top, 3rd column

Last side: bottom, 5th column

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Strands today (game #711) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #711, are…

• PIVOTAL
• RISKY
• CRITICAL
• DECISIVE
• IMPERATIVE
• SPANGRAM: HIGHSTAKES

---

• My rating: Hard
• My score: 1 hint

---

I’m sure people who spend their life going to marketing meetings are very familiar with the kind of high-achieving language in this game, but it floored me a bit. Usually with Strands once I get going with the search, momentum carries me forward and I work my way around the letters finding all the words.

Today was different. After spotting PIVOTAL and RISKY, I had a good idea what the theme meant but I still struggled to find any other words.

Fortunately, a hint gave me CRITICAL, which helped me see “stakes” and then “high” to form the HIGHSTAKES spangram.

---

Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Wednesday, February 11, game #710)

• PECAN
• FILBERT
• PISTACHIO
• ALMOND
• CASHEW
• MACADAMIA
• SPANGRAM: GONUTS

---

What is NYT Strands?

Strands is the NYT's not-so-new-any-more word game, following Wordle and Connections. It's now a fully fledged member of the NYT's games stable that has been running for a year and which can be played on the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.

I've got a full guide to how to play NYT Strands, complete with tips for solving it, so check that out if you're struggling to beat it each day.

https://ift.tt/9yquwox

Discord tries to ‘share clarity’ on disastrous age verification plans amid mass cancellations, but safe to say it’s not helping — it’s getting thoroughly community noted

---

• Discord's age verification plans have been 'clarified' in an updated press release
• Multiple Nitro users have cancelled subscription plans after the announcement
• Discord's X post has been community noted, due to recent data breach

---

Discord is facing backlash from its users due to its recent announcement of expanded age verification plans, and its recent damage control attempts haven't been successful.

In an updated press release, Discord has added 'clarification' on its approach to its age verification plans, which is set for a rollout in March. The press release further highlights that not all users will be required to complete face or ID scans to continue using the platform.

Both the announcement and the updated press release have led to users canceling Nitro subscriptions, and many on Reddit and X are encouraging current subscribers to follow suit. A spike in 'Discord alternatives' searches is also apparent, according to Google Trends.

Notably, Discord states that the 'vast majority' of users will be able to continue to use the app as normal, without ever being asked to confirm their age. This is possible via Discord's claims that it will be able to confirm age groups via the information it already has on users' activity, and age predictions to access age-restricted servers or channels.

However, for users who are required to complete age verification checks, Discord claims 'facial scans never leave your device' and that IDs are only used to verify your age and are subsequently deleted.

If your deeply worried about Discord rolling out age verification globally you should cancel your Nitro. from r/pcmasterrace

Google Trends

Future / X

The same press release update has been community noted on X, as Discord faced a huge data breach in 2025, which leaked 70,000 government IDs. This directly contradicts its claims that personal selfies and IDs for age verification are deleted, and X users were quick to highlight the matter in replies.

It's no wonder users are adamantly searching for Discord alternatives, as this March age verification rollout puts security and privacy at a major risk, despite Discord's claims.

Many have also suggested that Discord's press release indicates it's already 'spying' on its users, as it states that many adults won't need to complete age checks, due to 'information we already have'.

It's quite evident that Discord is in a state of damage control, and mass cancellations of Nitro subscriptions aren't going to do it any favors.

Opinion: Discord, stop punishing everyone for others' lack of parental control

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

We all want better online safety for children every and every time, and fortunately, many measures are already in place to facilitate that. The same applies to video games and entertainment with age ratings, to restrict underage individuals from accessing said content.

However, it feels as though everyone is now being punished for the lack of parental control from others, at the cost of having personal information leaked.

Discord's Family Center exists to ensure parents can keep tabs on their children and their activity, and while this isn't completely foolproof, it seems as though Discord is going down the extreme route for extra protection of kids – but frankly, it doesn't feel like those are Discord's true intentions, as it would've implemented such changes a long while ago if so.

It's also worth noting that this has essentially come directly from the UK's new Online Safety Act, but was initially only implemented for UK users. Discord is taking it a step further by enforcing this for all users worldwide, when it truly doesn't need to, and I don't blame anyone looking to step away from the platform for good unless it walks back on this decision.

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And of course, you can also follow TechRadar on YouTube and TikTok for news, reviews, unboxings in video form, and get regular updates from us on WhatsApp too.

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'This case is about two of the richest corporations who have engineered addiction in children’s brains' — lawsuit against Meta and YouTube could decide the fate of social media

---

• A major lawsuit on social media addiction is playing out in Los Angeles
• Lawyers for the plaintiff argue that social media is intentionally addictive to children
• Meta and YouTube argue their platforms are safe for younger users

---

Have social media platforms such as Instagram and YouTube “engineered addiction in children’s brains”?

That’s the question at the center of a social media addiction trial being held in Los Angeles, pitting Meta and YouTube against a plaintiff accusing the companies of intentionally creating damagingly addictive platforms.

It’s not just central to this case either. The outcome of the trial could guide the result of around 1,500 more similar lawsuits being levied at social media giants (via CNN), and continue the growing trend of social media pushback – especially when it comes to young people.

(Image credit: Sean Gallup via Getty Images)

Likening swiping through social to the motion of pulling a “handle of a slot machine” in the pursuit of mental stimulation, the lawyer for the plaintiff – identified only as Kaley (and her initials KGM) – argues that YouTube and Instagram are like “digital casinos” with features that create an addictive cycle of dopamine hits.

In turn, the lawyer argues, this social media addiction caused Kaley to develop anxiety, body dysmorphia, and suicidal thoughts.

The case specifically targets social media features – such as infinite scroll feeds (which never end, no matter how far you scroll down) – rather than the content of the platforms, which would be protected under US Section 230 of Federal law.

Meta’s lawyer in the case has instead suggested KGM’s family dynamics are to blame for her mental health troubles, with spokespersons for the company saying that Meta “Strongly disagree with these allegations and are confident the evidence will show our longstanding commitment to supporting young people.”

YouTube similarly refutes the allegations. A spokesperson has said that “providing young people with a safer, healthier experience has always been core to our work.” YouTube’s lawyer is expected to give the company’s opening legal statement on Tuesday, February 10.

Snapchat’s parent company, Snap, and TikTok were originally named in the lawsuit, too. However, they have both settled with KGM and are no longer defendants in the case.

A guide for what's to come

(Image credit: Shutterstock/Bloomicon)

This is just the start of what is set to be a six-week-long case – that with appeals may stretch even longer – so it’s impossible to predict what the jury’s verdict will decide, but it’s yet another instance of pushback against how social media platforms engage young people.

We’ve seen various proposed and passed bills limiting access to sites based on tighter age restrictions in the UK, Australia, and recently, France.

In another California legal case, this time from state Attorneys General, prosecutors are asking a Federal judge to force Meta to remove all accounts known to belong to users under 13, to delete all data collected from Facebook and Instagram users under 13, and to delete algorithms and other tools built using said data.

Some of this group are also calling for Meta to impose new restrictions for younger users, and to remove what they call “ addictive” design features like autoplay and infinite scroll – a feature highlighted in the KGM lawsuit above.

At the same time, we’ve seen social media companies perhaps attempt to preempt this backlash by launching renewed safety measures for young users. Meta, in recent years, has rolled out dedicated features for teen accounts that include special safety and content filtering options for people under 16.

More recently, Discord has announced global age verification checks will roll out to all users in early March – requiring all users to submit an ID or complete a facial age check before they can use the platform unrestricted.

Though with that last one, companies are also seeing there’s a tightrope to walk between appeasing lawmakers on the safety of their platform and not creating user outrage – the latter of which Discord does appear to have stoked.

We’ll have to wait and see exactly what happens with the case above, the many others in the works, and various government actions being taken on social media, but it does seem major shifts are all but inevitable for how young people will be able to engage with online platforms. With privacy fears and usage frustration remaining for adults with many of the proposed solutions, however, it’s unclear if they’ll end the online safety debate or merely evolve it.

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NYT Strands hints and answers for Wednesday, February 11 (game #710)

Looking for a different day?

A new NYT Strands puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Tuesday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Strands hints and answers for Tuesday, February 10 (game #709).

Strands is the NYT's latest word game after the likes of Wordle, Spelling Bee and Connections – and it's great fun. It can be difficult, though, so read on for my Strands hints.

Want more word-based fun? Then check out my NYT Connections today and Quordle today pages for hints and answers for those games, and Marc's Wordle today page for the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Strands today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Strands today (game #710) - hint #1 - today's theme

What is the theme of today's NYT Strands?

• Today's NYT Strands theme is… Crack and snack

NYT Strands today (game #710) - hint #2 - clue words

Play any of these words to unlock the in-game hints system.

• FINE
• MITRE
• CANE
• STUCCO
• MAST
• SOLD

NYT Strands today (game #710) - hint #3 - spangram letters

How many letters are in today's spangram?

• Spangram has 6 letters

NYT Strands today (game #710) - hint #4 - spangram position

What are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?

First side: left, 5th row

Last side: right, 4th row

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Strands today (game #710) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #710, are…

• PECAN
• FILBERT
• PISTACHIO
• ALMOND
• CASHEW
• MACADAMIA
• SPANGRAM: GONUTS

---

• My rating: Hard
• My score: 1 hint

---

With the advances in plant-based milks it feels as if nuts are going through a golden age at the moment (what a time to be alive!) but there always seems to be one particular nut that’s grabbing the health limelight. 

A while back it was walnuts, which were said to help reduce the risk of heart disease, then it was the ALMOND and its versatility for baking. Right now, largely due to the hype surrounding Dubai Chocolate, it’s the PISTACHIO.

At the start of this game, the theme left me blank and after finding half a dozen non-game words I took a hint to get me started – PECAN, which was quickly followed by the spangram and then a straightforward hunt for nuts.

Today’s search featured many of the main players in the nut world, but FILBERT was a new one to me; here in the UK as we only know them as hazelnuts and the key ingredients of the world’s finest food product, Nutella.

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Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Tuesday, February 10, game #709)

• STONE
• WOOD
• BRICK
• COMPOSITE
• VINYL
• STUCCO
• SPANGRAM: SIDINGMATERIAL

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What is NYT Strands?

Strands is the NYT's not-so-new-any-more word game, following Wordle and Connections. It's now a fully fledged member of the NYT's games stable that has been running for a year and which can be played on the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.

I've got a full guide to how to play NYT Strands, complete with tips for solving it, so check that out if you're struggling to beat it each day.

https://ift.tt/uUJAHPh

Quordle hints and answers for Tuesday, February 10 (game #1478)

Looking for a different day?

A new Quordle puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Monday's puzzle instead then click here: Quordle hints and answers for Monday, February 9 (game #1477).

Quordle was one of the original Wordle alternatives and is still going strong now more than 1,400 games later. It offers a genuine challenge, though, so read on if you need some Quordle hints today – or scroll down further for the answers.

Enjoy playing word games? You can also check out my NYT Connections today and NYT Strands today pages for hints and answers for those puzzles, while Marc's Wordle today column covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about Quordle today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

Quordle today (game #1478) - hint #1 - Vowels

How many different vowels are in Quordle today?

• The number of different vowels in Quordle today is 3*.

* Note that by vowel we mean the five standard vowels (A, E, I, O, U), not Y (which is sometimes counted as a vowel too).

Quordle today (game #1478) - hint #2 - repeated letters

Do any of today's Quordle answers contain repeated letters?

• The number of Quordle answers containing a repeated letter today is 1.

Quordle today (game #1478) - hint #3 - uncommon letters

Do the letters Q, Z, X or J appear in Quordle today?

• No. None of Q, Z, X or J appear among today's Quordle answers.

Quordle today (game #1478) - hint #4 - starting letters (1)

Do any of today's Quordle puzzles start with the same letter?

• The number of today's Quordle answers starting with the same letter is 0.

If you just want to know the answers at this stage, simply scroll down. If you're not ready yet then here's one more clue to make things a lot easier:

Quordle today (game #1478) - hint #5 - starting letters (2)

What letters do today's Quordle answers start with?

• D

• R

• T

• I

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

Quordle today (game #1478) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle, game #1478, are…

• DRAPE
• RAMEN
• TITAN
• IMPLY

RAMEN was the word I started Quordle with for about a year before changing a few weeks ago.

I regret that decision after it popped up in the game today, but I still think I would have struggled over IMPLY, which took me two labored guesses to solve.

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Daily Sequence today (game #1478) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1478, are…

• FANCY
• ABBEY
• WAFER
• ABODE

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Quordle answers: The past 20

• Quordle #1477, Monday, 9 February: TODDY, DELVE, BLUSH, WORST
• Quordle #1476, Sunday, 8 February: ENJOY, MAMBO, WRATH, STRAP
• Quordle #1475, Saturday, 7 February: APPLE, RAZOR, CAMEL, MOTIF
• Quordle #1474, Friday, 6 February: RESIN, CRUMP, RIGOR, ETHOS
• Quordle #1473, Thursday, 5 February: THROB, BUILT, NOBLE, THUMB
• Quordle #1472, Wednesday, 4 February: BLAND, HUNKY, PUNCH, TESTY
• Quordle #1471, Tuesday, 3 February: BOUND, ADORE, PINKY, FLYER
• Quordle #1470, Monday, 2 February: TIARA, THANK, SEVER, STINT
• Quordle #1469, Sunday, 1 February: SNARL, BEGIN, FLASK, AGONY
• Quordle #1468, Saturday, 31 January: GRAPE, GENRE, BEARD, RIVER
• Quordle #1467, Friday, 30 January: STOKE, BLOKE, RENEW, OVERT
• Quordle #1466, Thursday, 29 January: BLACK, VOCAL, GLADE, MAPLE
• Quordle #1465, Wednesday, 28 January: INGOT, IGLOO, GONER, FLAKE
• Quordle #1464, Tuesday, 27 January: QUALM, SHARD, MIGHT, DWELT
• Quordle #1463, Monday, 26 January: CRACK, DEVIL, MAKER, SAVOR
• Quordle #1462, Sunday, 25 January: CATCH, TABBY, HUMOR, DATUM
• Quordle #1461, Saturday, 24 January: HEIST, THEIR, DETOX, PRESS
• Quordle #1460, Friday, 23 January: WRECK, GUARD, BELIE, BRAVO
• Quordle #1459, Thursday, 22 January: FRONT, QUOTE, RAISE, POKER
• Quordle #1458, Wednesday, 21 January: PRIVY, SHADY, REMIT, AORTA

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