Social Media
Social media companies applaud Utah’s latest bill aimed at teen social media use
The Utah Legislature passed a law requiring app stores to verify the age of users, the latest social media law from Utah lawmakers.
Alabama House bills would limit social media access for minors
A House committee heard opposition and support for two bills that would limit access to social media for minors at a public hearing earlier this week.
Lawmakers consider requiring parental consent for minors’ social media accounts
The legislation would require consent from a minor's parents before the child could create a social media account.
Illinois governor pushes cellphone ban in public school classrooms
Illinois could be the latest state to pass a school cellphone ban. Gov. Pritzker is pushing for legislation to limit their use in classrooms to emergencies only.
Legal fight against AI-generated child pornography is complicated – a legal scholar explains why, and how the law could catch up
COMMENTARY | US law tries to strike a balance between free speech and protecting people from harm. When it comes to child pornography, AI makes that task all the more difficult.
Utah lawmakers advance bill requiring age verification for app store purchases
The Utah Senate advanced a law to require app stores to verify the ages of customers to give parents more control over their kids' accounts.
Texas’ social media law takes another hit with temporary blocks on three more provisions
The new injunction prohibits advertising and age verification restrictions in the SCOPE Act, which aims to make social media safer for teenagers.
Youth-focused social media mandates need teeth, not just training
Recent legislation in Iowa would require sixth through eighth graders to study the “effects of social media.” But experts caution that minors can’t just be warned about the platforms’ dangers.
Teens on social media: Red, blue and purple states are all passing laws to restrict and protect adolescents
COMMENTARY | New restrictions on how children and teens can spend time online remain concentrated at the state level.
Missouri rule would require algorithm ‘transparency’ on social media
Attorney General Andrew Bailey unveiled the first-in-the-nation rule that would allow users to choose who moderates their content, in a bid to end what he called “monopoly control” over content moderation.
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Social media experts are skeptical about the power of new state laws
Lawmakers worry about negative effects on teens, but others raise concerns over free speech.
In times of crisis, states have few tools to fight misinformation
Social media companies have pushed back against efforts to crack down on falsehoods.
Possible TikTok ban could restrict how many Ohio small businesses connect with customers
TikTok could be banned in the United States on Sunday, which could impact how many Ohio small businesses reach customers.
Nebraska lawmakers take aim at youth social media and cell phone use
Gov. Jim Pillen and a group of Nebraska lawmakers take aim at social media and school-hours cell phone use by youths.
Meta to move content moderators to Texas as part of plan to end fact-checking program
The tech giant’s decision to end the program comes as CEO Mark Zuckerberg seeks to mend ties with the incoming Trump administration.
New court records claim TikTok knew its LIVE feature was used to groom children
A judge ruled that most of the previously redacted information in Utah’s lawsuit against TikTok should be released.
California bill would add warning labels to social media platforms
The proposal would warn users of the potential mental health impacts, but opponents say the plan will once again fall foul of the First Amendment’s free speech protections.
Texas weighs social media bans for minors as schools and police face challenges
A Texas lawmaker has introduced a bill prohibiting minors from using social media accounts as school districts become a “hunting ground” for online dangers.
Governments are pushing teen social media bans – but behind the scenes is a messy fight over science
Jonathan Haidt’s book The Anxious Generation has set governments against teen social media – and triggered a months-long debate among experts.
How tech impacted “the information environment” of the 2024 election
Artificial and social media influenced voter behavior and political opinions, experts say.
