Abstract: Among other things, embodiments of the present disclosure improve the functionality of electronic messaging and imaging software and systems by generating and displaying media overlays with avatars of different users. For example, media overlays can be generated by the system and displayed in conjunction with media content (e.g., images and/or video) generated by an image-capturing device (e.g., a digital camera).

Abstract: Method of generating animation overlays starts with a processor causing a communication interface for a communication session to he displayed at client devices. The processor receives from a first client device an animation sending request and causes an animation sending interface to be displayed in the communication interface of the first client device. The animation sending interface comprises animation overlay icons. Each of the animation overlay icons comprise a first avatar associated with the first user. The processor receives from the first client device a selection of a first animation overlay icon and causes the first animation overlay corresponding to the first animation overlay icon to be displayed as an overlay on the communication interface of each of the plurality of client devices. The first animation overlay is an animation that includes the first avatar. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A social media platform provides a map-based graphical user interface (GUI) for accessing social media content submitted to a social media platform supported by the map-based GUI. User icons are displayed on a map of the GUI to represent locations of friend users. The locations of at least some users are represented by their user icons at a regional granularity, such that the displayed locations that are different from their accurate locations, but that are located within an accurate geographical region such as a city or a town. Users can select the granularity level at which their icons are displayed to others.

Abstract: A server-side administrative interface for a social media platform allows for restriction of defined geographical areas. Social media items originating from such restricted areas are automatically filtered or age-restricted for availability via a map-based graphical user interface of the social media platform.