Social Media
Texas lawmakers are poised to ban minors from social media
The Texas Legislature has already passed a bill requiring age verification to download apps and is seriously considering another to ban children from social media.
Why we fall for fake health information – and how it spreads faster than facts
COMMENTARY | If the health content you see on social media sounds too good to be true, it’s very likely false – but there are ways to check it out before sharing.
Alabama governor to weigh cellphone ban bill
Gov. Kay Ivey in her 2025 State of the State endorsed legislation to ban cellphones in schools, saying that social media is negatively impacting students.
How Maryland’s social media team responded to Baltimore bridge collapse
The Key Bridge collapsed a little over a year ago after a container ship collided with a supporting pier. Communications staff had the mammoth task of keeping the public informed and dispelling misinformation.
Colorado Senate votes to override Polis veto of social media regulation bill
The Colorado Senate voted to override a veto on a bill that would require the removal of users who sell drugs and firearms over social media.
Ohio judge permanently blocks social media age verification law
Gov. Mike DeWine is eager to appeal the decision, and state lawmakers are already working on alternatives.
Nebraska social media age-verification bill moves forward
Democratic-allied lawmakers described the bill as government overreach and said it likely would face lawsuits, while supporters of the proposal said it would help address a mental health crisis among young people.
Judge strikes down Arkansas social media law
The decision in a U.S. District Court marks the first time a state’s law restricting children’s platform use has been struck down, although the decision may be appealed.
Minnesota Senate Democrats propose new tax on social media companies
Some Minnesota lawmakers are proposing a first-in-the-nation tax on large social media companies that collect data on consumers in the state.
The best age to use social media? Rhode Island House bill says 18 and over.
Opponents argue bill is myopic of youth’s online needs. Regulators are worried about the heavy lifting involved.
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Bill would add protections for children used as content by social media influencers
HB 392 gives legal, financial protections to minors for appearance in parent blogs and other social media content.
Va.’s plan to restrict social media for minors faces pushback and calls for tighter safeguards
Gov. Glenn Youngkin weighs bill that would cap the daily use of apps at one hour while experts call for improved parental controls.
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.
