Reddit challenges Australia's age-verification law, says it's not social media
Reddit says it is a "collection of public fora"
Australia's under-16 social media ban triggers confusion, workarounds, and privacy fears
In brief: Australia's world-first social media ban on users under the age of 16 has come into effect, with mixed results and varied reactions. As other countries observe the rollout, the new law continues to draw criticism due to concerns about privacy and effectiveness.
Parents say mandatory iPad use at school is hurting kids' grades, causing behavioral issues
Teachers and child behaviorists are also warning about excessive screentime
Meta shut down an internal study that linked Facebook use to worse mental health
A hot potato: In 2020, Meta launched an internal research effort called Project Mercury to examine the psychological effects of Facebook use. Working with market research firm Nielsen, the company ran a survey-based experiment that asked selected users to deactivate their Facebook accounts for a week. Newly unsealed discovery documents reveal that those who stepped away reported noticeably lower levels of depression, anxiety, loneliness, and negative social comparison.
Roblox will now restrict chat by age group, verified with selfie-based scans
Teens will be able to chat with vetted relatives
Texas sues Roblox, accusing the platform of failing to protect children from predators
Attorney General Ken Paxton accuses the gaming giant of putting "profits over protection" as child safety concerns grow
Meta is giving parents a kill-switch for its AI chatbots
After safety missteps, the company plans new tools to limit teen exposure to explicit or romantic AI conversations
Parents in the US brace as China's AI toy trend goes global
Are AI toys replacing parents?
TikTok accused of collecting personal data on thousands of Canadian children
Report finds TikTok allowed advertisers to target sensitive traits of Canadian children
Utah governor blames "cancer" social media for assassinations, including Charlie Kirk shooting
"The conflict entrepreneurs are taking advantage of us"
FTC investigates OpenAI, Meta, Google over potential chatbot harm
Federal inquiry targets AI bots amid teen suicide lawsuits, mental health concerns
Whistleblowers tell US Senate that Meta ignored child safety in virtual reality
Lawmakers press Meta after ex-staff describe children's exposure to pornography and predators in VR
Roblox rolls out facial age estimation feature to limit children's exposure to adult strangers
Ambitious safety plan could set new standards for online platforms
44 attorneys general warn AI firms: protect children or face accountability
Meta flagged as a key offender over harmful chatbot behavior
HMD Fuse launches as the world's first "pornography incompatible" phone
Even the camera won't capture nudes
Louisiana sues Roblox over alleged exploitation of minors
"Roblox has chosen profits over child safety," says state's AG
Meta under fire over AI rules that allow romantic roleplay with children and false medical advice
AI chatbots producing inappropriate and inaccurate content... no way
Roblox open-sources AI tool to detect child endangerment risks online
Sentinel system analyzes billions of daily messages to spot grooming patterns over time
YouTube is using AI to verify user age based on viewing habits
When YouTube's AI makes an error, the responsibility to correct it falls on the user
US fertility rate fell to a record low in 2024, mirroring a global trend
More babies were born in the US, but fewer women are having them
Meet the 17-year-old who helped change Microsoft's bug bounty program
High school student helps strengthen Microsoft's digital defenses
Editor's take: At an age when most teenagers are just beginning to explore the possibilities of technology, one high school junior has already made a name for himself in the world of cybersecurity. Dylan, now 17, first caught the attention of Microsoft's Security Response Center at just 13, when he reported a critical vulnerability in Microsoft Teams. The discovery ultimately reshaped the company's bug bounty program and set Dylan on a unique professional path.
Over 250 tech leaders push for computer science and AI course requirements in US schools
"CS and AI are new reading, writing, and math," argues campaign
Meta accused of allowing its chatbots to engage in sexually explicit chats
A Wall Street Journal investigation uncovers Meta AI bots' risky behavior with children
Roblox CEO tells parents to keep kids off the platform if safety is a concern
There is only so much an online platform can do
Over 70 million PowerSchool records stolen in massive educational data breach
Some records date back to 1985