Social Media
How tech impacted “the information environment” of the 2024 election
Artificial and social media influenced voter behavior and political opinions, experts say.
Voter suppression 2.0: How digital misinformation targets marginalized communities
As misinformation spreads across social media, targeted disinformation campaigns are using advanced digital tactics to discourage voter participation, especially within communities of color.
Lacking nationwide protections, states are stepping up to protect child influencers
California became the latest to sign legislation to protect so-called “kidfluencers,” after Illinois became the first to do so. More states appear to be following their lead.
How social media is influencing our interactions with public lands
Getting the perfect online photo is drawing more people into nature. Land managers are trying to mitigate risks and damage to wild places.
Tech associations sue over Florida’s social media restrictions for kids under 16
Opponents of the restrictions say the law barring youths from having social media accounts violates the First Amendment.
To fight online misinformation, engage with the 'trolls,' city leaders say
City communications strategists say it is crucial to engage, and quickly, before false narratives take hold.
Majority of state attorneys general seek warnings for youth on social media
A bipartisan group of 41 state attorneys general are prodding Congress to require a U.S. surgeon general warning for young people on social media platforms.
Humans of Public Service inspires a new generation of government employees
About 850,000 state and local jobs went unfilled last year, as public agencies struggle to find workers. This nonprofit is using social media to entice them.
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.
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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.
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.
