Social Media

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.

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.

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.