Social Media
Can states’ social media laws stand up to scrutiny?
Several states have tried to regulate the space in a bid to protect young people from the worst of the platforms. But whether their plans are workable, and can withstand legal challenges, remains to be seen.
Surgeon general says minors’ social media use is causing parental stress
Over the past two years, states have passed dozens of laws to protect young people from the worst of the platforms. Here’s how they’ve done it.
Did Supreme Court ruling come too late to reverse ‘chilling effect’ on 2024 disinformation?
While the justices found in Murthy v. Missouri that two states lacked standing to sue over alleged government censorship, observers warned that the case may have already damaged efforts to crack down ahead of November.
Supreme Court sends Florida, Texas ‘censorship’ laws back to lower courts
The justices left in place preliminary injunctions blocking the two laws but said the appeals courts must further study their First Amendment implications.
Supreme Court rules that government can ask social media platforms to remove misinformation
Justices said in a 6-3 decision that Louisiana and Missouri did not have standing to sue. The ruling comes as a relief to state and local officials as they look to crack down on election-related misinformation ahead of November.
Bills restricting social media advance amid continued legal battles
New York lawmakers just passed legislation to ban the use of algorithm-driven feeds for minors without their parents’ permission, while Utah’s law is facing more legal action over its age verification requirements.
Teens say distracted driving messages need to be catchier, more frequent and blunt
Young adults typically underestimate the risk of distracted driving, making it difficult for public safety officials to craft effective messaging.
‘Mission Impossible’ masks, bad data and immature tech dog age verification for social media
Another state signed a law restricting minors’ use of the platforms. But the continued growth in technology as well as “low-tech fraud” could make enforcement more difficult.
Anxiety over squatters inspires a wave of legislation
Opponents of the bills call the trend a ‘manufactured crisis’ that could affect legitimate tenant protections.
Banning TikTok won’t solve social media’s foreign influence, teen harm and data privacy problems
COMMENTARY | Protecting Americans cannot be accomplished by banning a single app. To truly protect their constituents, lawmakers would need to enact broad, far-reaching regulation.
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New Florida law bans kids under 14 from social media
It is the latest in a series of efforts by states to regulate social media in a way that protects minors and stands up to legal challenges. But opponents say Florida’s law still runs afoul of the First Amendment.
Supreme Court appears wary of restricting government action to control misinformation
The justices' skepticism in the case has state and local election officials breathing a little easier as they worry about misinformation efforts ahead of November elections.
Supreme Court clarifies when public officials can block citizens on social media
The Supreme Court unanimously found in a pair of cases that whether a government official can block a constituent on their personal social media account hinges on if a post is a state action or is private conduct.
If schools won’t ban kids’ cellphones, some lawmakers say, they will
Florida now bans cellphones during class, and lawmakers elsewhere like the idea.
States push feds for greater online privacy protections for children
A bipartisan coalition of 43 attorneys general is urging the Federal Trade Commission to expand the definition of “personal information” to keep up with changes related to smartphones and social networks that play an increasing role in everyone’s life – including children.
Americans are skeptical of online age verification, even as its use grows abroad
States are turning to technology to verify users’ ages before allowing access to social media and other content. But the approach faces an uphill climb without a national data privacy law that addresses Americans' concerns about the safety of their personal data.
Justices appear skeptical of states' social media censorship laws
The U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in two cases challenging Florida and Texas laws designed to prevent the alleged censorship of conservative viewpoints on social media. Observers say the decision could shape the future of free speech on the internet.
Social media declared a ‘public health hazard,’ as efforts to rein it in ramp up
New York City Mayor Eric Adams made the announcement last week, while Florida lawmakers advanced a bill banning accounts for anyone under 16 years of age.
States push ahead with social media laws amid legal challenges
Utah delayed its efforts for litigation purposes, while a judge blocked an Ohio law. But that hasn’t stopped other states, most recently Idaho and New York, from introducing their own restrictions to protect minors.
‘Super mayor’ goes viral amid salary ordinance controversy
Tiffany Henyard, the mayor and supervisor of two suburbs in Illinois, spearheaded a bill reducing a potential successor’s salary if she loses her 2025 reelection bid. It’s the latest in a long line of alleged misdeeds by the charismatic and controversial political figure.
