Social media addiction bill fails in California Legislature
2 years, 5 months ago

Social media addiction bill fails in California Legislature

LA Times  

A bill that could have forced social media companies to make broad changes across their platforms failed in the Legislature. It was one of the most watched pieces of legislation in California this year, as it could have forced social media companies to make broad changes that would affect users across their platforms. California’s influential tech industry worked for months to defeat the bill, arguing that it would do little to improve child safety while causing social media companies to ban all children from their platforms. “The bill’s death means a handful of social media companies will be able to continue their experiment on millions of California kids, causing generational harm.” The bill was a casualty of what’s known in the Legislature as the “suspense file,” a list of bills that must first be vetted by the powerful appropriations committees before they can proceed in the Legislature.

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History of this topic

California bill would require mental health warnings on social media sites
1 month ago

California bill would require mental health warnings on social media sites

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy California, home to some of …

California to consider requiring mental health warnings on social media sites
1 month ago

California to consider requiring mental health warnings on social media sites

Associated Press  

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California, home to some of the largest technology companies in the world, would be the first U.S. state to require mental health warning labels on social media sites if lawmakers pass a bill introduced Monday. “The promise of social media, although real, has turned into a situation where they’re turning our children’s attention into a commodity,” Assemblymember …

Proposed California law would require warning labels on social media
1 month, 1 week ago

Proposed California law would require warning labels on social media

LA Times  

Victoria Hinks watched her daughter get sucked into the dark sides of social media, and she couldn’t pull her out. Rob Bonta and Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan in announcing proposed legislation that would require social media companies to warn California users their platforms could pose risks to the mental health and well-being of young people. In an op-ed published in the …

Australia is banning social media for people under 16. Could this work elsewhere — or even there?
1 month, 1 week ago

Australia is banning social media for people under 16. Could this work elsewhere — or even there?

Associated Press  

It is an ambitious social experiment of our moment in history — one that experts say could accomplish something that parents, schools and other governments have attempted with varying degrees of success: keeping kids off social media until they turn 16. “It’s clear that social media companies have to be held accountable, which is what Australia is trying to do,” …

Big tech says Australia "rushed" social media ban for youths
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Big tech says Australia "rushed" social media ban for youths

Hindustan Times  

SYDNEY - Big Tech corporations on Friday hit out at a landmark Australian law that bans youths under the age of 16 from accessing social media, saying the law was "rushed" through parliament. Big tech says Australia "rushed" social media ban for youths Australia approved the social media ban for children late on Thursday. "Last week, the parliament’s own committee …

Australian Parliament bans social media for under-16s with world-first law
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Australian Parliament bans social media for under-16s with world-first law

Deccan Chronicle  

Melbourne: A social media ban for children under 16 passed the Australian Parliament on Friday in a world-first law. “The social media ban legislation has been released and passed within a week and, as a result, no one can confidently explain how it will work in practice – the community and platforms are in the dark about what exactly is …

Australia PM on social media ban: Firms now have responsibility to protect kids
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Australia PM on social media ban: Firms now have responsibility to protect kids

India Today  

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Friday that social media platforms now have a responsibility to ensure the safety of children, after the country's parliament passed a bill banning those under the age of 16 from using the services. Australia approved the social media ban for children on Thursday after an emotive debate that has gripped the nation, setting …

Australia lawmakers pass landmark social-media ban for under-16s
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Australia lawmakers pass landmark social-media ban for under-16s

Live Mint  

Australia is set to become the first country to ban social media use by under-16s after the country’s Senate overwhelmingly voted in favor of strict new legislation. “Social media is doing harm to our children and I’m calling time on it," Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said when the bill was introduced to Parliament earlier this month. The legislation marks …

Australia passes landmark law banning social media for children under 16
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Australia passes landmark law banning social media for children under 16

Firstpost  

The law, expected to take effect in November 2025, sets some of the toughest social media controls in the world and will force platforms to take reasonable steps to ensure age-verification protections are in place A high school student poses with his mobile phone showing his social media applications in Melbourne, Australia, on Thursday. Reuters Australian lawmakers on Thursday passed …

Tech companies put on notice as Australia passes world-first social media ban for under-16s
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Tech companies put on notice as Australia passes world-first social media ban for under-16s

CNN  

Brisbane, Australia CNN — Australia’s parliament has passed a world-first law banning social media for children under 16, putting tech companies on notice to tighten security before a cut-off date that’s yet to be set. Under the new law, tech companies must take “reasonable steps” to prevent under-age users from accessing social media services or face fines of nearly 50 …

Tech companies put on notice as Australia passes world-first social media ban for under-16s
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Tech companies put on notice as Australia passes world-first social media ban for under-16s

CNN  

Brisbane, Australia CNN — Australia’s parliament has passed a world-first law banning social media for children under 16, putting tech companies on notice to tighten security before a cut-off date that’s yet to be set. Under the new law, tech companies must take “reasonable steps” to prevent under-age users from accessing social media services or face fines of nearly 50 …

The Australian Senate debates the world’s first social media ban for children under 16
Top News
1 month, 2 weeks ago

The Australian Senate debates the world’s first social media ban for children under 16

Associated Press  

MELBOURNE, Australia — The Australian Senate was debating a ban on children younger than 16 years old from social media Thursday after the House of Representatives overwhelmingly supported the age restriction. “The core focus of this legislation is simple: It demands that social media companies take reasonable steps to identify and remove underage users from their platforms,” Kovacic told the …

Australia takes step to ban under 16s from social media
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Australia takes step to ban under 16s from social media

Raw Story  

by Laura CHUNG / Andrew BEATTY Australian lawmakers moved a step closer to banning under 16s from social media platforms Wednesday, threatening companies that fail to comply with multimillion-dollar fines. Social media firms -- who could face fines of up to Aus$50 million for failing to impose the ban -- have described the laws as "vague", "problematic" and "rushed". In …

Australia Moves Step Closer To Banning Young Children From Social Media
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Australia Moves Step Closer To Banning Young Children From Social Media

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING MELBOURNE, Australia — Australia’s House of Representatives on Wednesday passed a bill that would ban children younger than 16 years old from social media, leaving it to the Senate to finalize the world-first law. Critics also argue the ban would isolate children, deprive them of positive aspects of social media, drive children to the dark web, make …

Australia passes landmark bill seeking social media ban for children under 16
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Australia passes landmark bill seeking social media ban for children under 16

Hindustan Times  

Australia moved closer to implementing a ban on social media use for children under 16, after the country's House of Representatives passed the bill on Wednesday, according to Reuters. - Prime Minister Albanese, seeking to improve his approval ratings ahead of the upcoming May election, has highlighted the physical and mental health risks posed by excessive social media use among …

Amid Google-Facebook pressure, Australia takes another step to ban social media for children
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Amid Google-Facebook pressure, Australia takes another step to ban social media for children

Firstpost  

Despite opposition from companies like Google and Meta, Australia’s lower house has passed a bill to ban social media for children under 16, requiring age-verification protections Australia on Wednesday moved closer to banning social media for children under 16 after the parliament’s lower house passed the bill even as Alphabet’s, opens new tab Google and Facebook-owner Meta, opens new tab …

‘Even if law helps in just smallest of ways…’: Australia passes bill to ban young children from social media
Trending News
1 month, 2 weeks ago

‘Even if law helps in just smallest of ways…’: Australia passes bill to ban young children from social media

Live Mint  

Australia's House of Representatives on Wednesday passed a bill that would ban children younger than 16 years old from social media, leaving it to the Senate to finalise the world-first law. Critics also argue the ban would isolate children, deprive them of positive aspects of social media, drive children to the dark web, make children too young for social media …

Australia’s House of Representatives passes bill that would ban young children from social media
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Australia’s House of Representatives passes bill that would ban young children from social media

The Hindu  

Australia’s House of Representatives on Wednesday passed a bill that would ban children younger than 16 years old from social media, leaving it to the Senate to finalize the world-first law. The major parties backed the bill that would make platforms including TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat, Reddit, X and Instagram liable for fines of up to 50 million Australian dollars for …

Australian House of Representatives passes bill to ban social media for children
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Australian House of Representatives passes bill to ban social media for children

India Today  

Australia’s House of Representatives on Wednesday passed a bill that would ban children younger than 16 years old from social media, leaving it to the Senate to finalise the world-first law. Critics also argue the ban would isolate children, deprive them of positive aspects of social media, drive children to the dark web, make children too young for social media …

Australia moves step closer to world-first social media ban for under-16s
Top News
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Australia moves step closer to world-first social media ban for under-16s

Al Jazeera  

The House of Representatives votes overwhelmingly to pass legislation targeting platforms such as TikTok and Instagram. Australia’s lower house of parliament has voted overwhelmingly to pass a landmark bill banning the use of social media by children under 16. Opposition lawmaker Dan Tehan said the government had agreed to amendments made in the Senate that would bolster privacy protections for …

Australia’s social media ban for kids is closer to becoming law
Top News
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Australia’s social media ban for kids is closer to becoming law

Associated Press  

MELBOURNE, Australia — Australia’s House of Representatives on Wednesday passed a bill that would ban children younger than 16 years old from social media, leaving it to the Senate to finalize the world-first law. Critics also argue the ban would isolate children, deprive them of positive aspects of social media, drive children to the dark web, make children too young …

Social media sites call for Australia to delay its ban on children younger than 16
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Social media sites call for Australia to delay its ban on children younger than 16

Deccan Chronicle  

An advocate for major social media platforms told an Australian Senate committee Monday that laws to ban children younger than 16 from the sites should be delayed until next year at least instead of being rushed through the Parliament this week.Sunita Bose, managing director of Digital Industry Group Inc., an advocate for the digital industry in Australia including X, Instagram, …

YouTube exemption backed by group behind push for under-16 social media ban
1 month, 3 weeks ago

YouTube exemption backed by group behind push for under-16 social media ban

ABC  

An advocacy group that pushed for children and teens under 16 to be banned from social media has supported YouTube being given an exemption, but warns there is still a risk of kids being able to create accounts on the video site. On Thursday, the federal government introduced legislation to parliament to ban kids under 16 from social media sites …

Australia proposes $32m fine for social media firms flouting under-16s ban
Trending News
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Australia proposes $32m fine for social media firms flouting under-16s ban

Al Jazeera  

Under bill, platforms like Instagram and X would be given one year to find ways of restricting access to minors. Australia’s centre-left government has introduced a “landmark” bill in parliament to ban children under 16 from social media. Communications Minister Michelle Rowland said on Thursday that the proposed law “places the onus on social media platforms, not parents or children, …

Social media platforms to face $50 million fines under social media ban, now to include Snapchat
Trending News
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Social media platforms to face $50 million fines under social media ban, now to include Snapchat

ABC  

Social media companies will be threatened with up to $50 million fines for systematically breaching age verification laws, under an Albanese government plan to ban under 16s from the platforms. The government will introduce legislation to parliament today to require social media companies to block children under 16, using age assurance technology that is yet to be determined. Communications Minister …

Australian parliament debates social media ban for children under 16
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Australian parliament debates social media ban for children under 16

Firstpost  

The world-first legislation would force social media firms to take steps to prevent those under 16 years of age from accessing platforms such as X, TikTok, Facebook and Instagram Australian PM Anthony Albanese has endorsed banning children from registering social media accounts until they are 16. X/AlboMP Social media companies could be fined more than US$30 million if they fail …

Some social media platforms will be exempt from the under-16s ban. So what's in and what's out?
2 months ago

Some social media platforms will be exempt from the under-16s ban. So what's in and what's out?

ABC  

New laws are set to land in federal parliament next week, banning children under 16 from accessing social media. Concerns Snapchat could be exempt from social media ban Photo shows A teenager looks down at a smartphone screen displaying the Snapchat logo, a yellow screen with a white ghost cartoon Communications Minister Michelle Rowland has been asked if Snapchat could …

Elon Musk’s X sues to block California law that aims to combat election deepfakes
2 months ago

Elon Musk’s X sues to block California law that aims to combat election deepfakes

LA Times  

X, the social media app owned by Elon Musk, has sued California in an attempt to block a new law requiring large online platforms to remove or label deceptive election content. X alleges the new law would prompt social media sites to lean toward labeling or removing legitimate election content out of caution. X, though, alleges it would be difficult …

TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat won't be exempted from social media ban for under 16s
Trending News
2 months, 1 week ago

TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat won't be exempted from social media ban for under 16s

ABC  

TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat and some of the other large social media players will not be able to escape a social media ban on users younger than 16. Communications Minister Michelle Rowland confirmed this morning none of the major social media companies would be exempted from the federal government's proposed ban, following concerns from the Coalition that they may be allowed …

Social media firms state their case
2 months, 2 weeks ago

Social media firms state their case

Politico  

Social media firms state their case TECH MAZE Florida AG Ashley Moody is defending a state law restricting kids' social media access in court. | AP Photo Tech giants sued Florida on Monday, attempting to overturn a state law requiring social media applications to restrict children’s access. The groups contend that the law, a top priority for outgoing Republican state …

Platforms, not parents, to be responsible for social media age limit, but penalties as yet undecided
3 months ago

Platforms, not parents, to be responsible for social media age limit, but penalties as yet undecided

ABC  

Social media platforms will bear the onus of enforcing the federal government's age limit, not parents, the communications minister has confirmed. Michelle Rowland told the ABC's News Breakfast on Friday the government's age limit "trial," a fact-finding mission to understand the capabilities of platforms in this space, has shown that they "have the capacity to do more and they should …

Social media platforms engaged in ‘vast surveillance’ and failed to protect young people, FTC finds
3 months, 4 weeks ago

Social media platforms engaged in ‘vast surveillance’ and failed to protect young people, FTC finds

LA Times  

Social media apps and video streaming services are still facing scrutiny from U.S. regulators over youth safety and privacy concerns. Major social media platforms and video streaming services that gather a “staggering” amount of data from their users have failed to protect young people and safeguard online privacy, the Federal Trade Commission said Thursday. “These surveillance practices can endanger people’s …

YouTube, TikTok and Meta are all in the firing line for children to be banned from their platforms. Here's what we know
4 months ago

YouTube, TikTok and Meta are all in the firing line for children to be banned from their platforms. Here's what we know

ABC  

Children are growing up with access to endless streams of content — posts from friends and family, mindless but harmless entertainment, as well as posts from extremist influencers, pornography, violent videos, and other material with the potential to cause great harm. Anthony Albanese vows to introduce legislation to ban children from accessing social media by the end of this year …

California lawmakers approve legislation to ban deepfakes, protect workers and regulate AI
4 months, 2 weeks ago

California lawmakers approve legislation to ban deepfakes, protect workers and regulate AI

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ …

Senate passes bill to protect kids online and make tech companies accountable for harmful content
5 months, 2 weeks ago

Senate passes bill to protect kids online and make tech companies accountable for harmful content

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The Senate overwhelmingly passed legislation Tuesday that is designed to protect children from dangerous online content, pushing forward with what would be the first major effort by Congress in decades to hold tech companies more accountable for the harm that they cause. “It is past time to act.” The legislation is about allowing children, teens and parents “to …

California lawmakers continue push to regulate social media despite legal hurdles
5 months, 3 weeks ago

California lawmakers continue push to regulate social media despite legal hurdles

LA Times  

Legislation being considered in California would prohibit social media companies from sending children notifications at night and during school hours. “We need to act now to protect our children,” Bonta said earlier this year, by “strengthening data privacy protections for minors and safeguarding youth against social media addiction.” California Gov. Meta Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg apologized to those attending a …

Politicians say they can make social media less ‘addictive’. Experts aren’t so sure
6 months, 3 weeks ago

Politicians say they can make social media less ‘addictive’. Experts aren’t so sure

BBC  

Politicians say they can make social media less ‘addictive’. Experts aren’t so sure Getty Images New York just passed a law on "addictive" social media feeds for children, but some researchers are questioning what that actually means. "Young people across the nation are facing a mental health crisis fuelled by addictive social media feeds." The Stop Addictive Feeds Exploitation for …

New York moves to limit ‘addictive’ social media feeds for kids
6 months, 3 weeks ago

New York moves to limit ‘addictive’ social media feeds for kids

Associated Press  

Kathy Hochul on Thursday signed a bill that would allow parents to block their children from getting social media posts suggested by a platform’s algorithm, a move to limit feeds critics argue are addictive. “New York has created a way for the government to track what sites people visit and their online activity by forcing websites to censor all content …

California governor wants to restrict smartphone usage in schools
6 months, 4 weeks ago

California governor wants to restrict smartphone usage in schools

Associated Press  

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Tuesday that he wants to restrict students’ usage of smartphones during the school day, citing the mental health risks of social media. “We support legislation which empowers school leaders to make policy decisions at a local level that reflect their community’s concerns and what’s necessary to support their students,” spokesperson Troy Flint …

Column: Los Angeles public schools will ban cellphones. What’s not to like?
6 months, 4 weeks ago

Column: Los Angeles public schools will ban cellphones. What’s not to like?

LA Times  

Every time I write about smartphones taking a toll on adolescents, I get tut-tutted by critics accusing me of promoting moral panic. In a recent Times opinion essay, Los Angeles Board of Education member Nick Melvoin called for a ban on smartphones in L.A.’s public schools. In Spain, he added, the test scores of students at schools that have banned …

New York moves to ban ‘addictive’ social media feeds for kids
7 months, 1 week ago

New York moves to ban ‘addictive’ social media feeds for kids

Associated Press  

ALBANY, N.Y. — The New York state Legislature on Friday passed a bill that would allow parents to block their kids from getting social media posts suggested by a platform’s algorithm — a regulation that tries to curtail feeds that critics argue are addicting to children. The move comes amid heightened concern about social media use among children and an …

New York considers regulating what children see in social media feeds
7 months, 1 week ago

New York considers regulating what children see in social media feeds

Associated Press  

New York lawmakers on Tuesday said they were finalizing legislation that would allow parents to block their children from getting social media posts curated by a platform’s algorithm, a move to rein in feeds that critics argue keep young users glued to their screens. Supporters say New York’s Stop Addictive Feeds Exploitation For Kids Act, which would prohibit algorithm-fed content …

Pennsylvania House passes bill restricting how social media companies treat minors
8 months, 1 week ago

Pennsylvania House passes bill restricting how social media companies treat minors

Associated Press  

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Pennsylvania’s state House of Representatives on Wednesday approved legislation aimed at regulating how online social media platforms interact with children, although its provisions are similar to those in state laws being blocked in federal courts or in a case before the U.S. Supreme Court. The bill would require social media platforms to allow users to report “hateful …

Editorial: Social media companies refuse to safeguard kids. It’s up to lawmakers now
8 months, 3 weeks ago

Editorial: Social media companies refuse to safeguard kids. It’s up to lawmakers now

LA Times  

From state capitols to Washington, D.C., lawmakers are scrambling to come up with regulations that can protect kids from the potential harms of social media, since the platforms have been unwilling to adopt reasonable safeguards themselves. In just the last few months, Florida passed a law banning children under age 14 from having a social media account, Iowa legislators backed …

Tennessee lawmakers seek to require parental permission before children join social media
9 months, 1 week ago

Tennessee lawmakers seek to require parental permission before children join social media

Associated Press  

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee’s GOP-dominant Senate on Monday unanimously signed off on legislation requiring minors to have parental consent to create social media accounts. Louisiana, Arkansas, Texas and Utah have all passed measures requiring parental consent for children to use social media — though Arkansas’ version is currently blocked as a federal lawsuit makes its way through court. The Tennessee …

Social media ban for minors less restrictive in Florida lawmakers’ second attempt
10 months, 1 week ago

Social media ban for minors less restrictive in Florida lawmakers’ second attempt

Associated Press  

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Less than a week after Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed a social media ban for minors, Florida lawmakers sent him a new version on Wednesday that’s expected to withstand his scrutiny. “We’re not opening a Pandora’s box, we’re closing one,” said Republican Rep. Tyler Sirois, who DeSantis vetoed what would have been one of the country’s most …

Social media ban for minors less restrictive in Florida lawmakers' second attempt
10 months, 1 week ago

Social media ban for minors less restrictive in Florida lawmakers' second attempt

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Ron DeSantis vetoed a social …

Florida lawmakers pass ban on social media for kids under 16 despite constitutional concerns
10 months, 3 weeks ago

Florida lawmakers pass ban on social media for kids under 16 despite constitutional concerns

Associated Press  

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — A bill to create one of the nation’s most restrictive bans on minors’ use of social media is heading to Republican Florida Gov. The bill targets any social media site that tracks user activity, allows children to upload material and interact with others, and uses addictive features designed to cause excessive or compulsive use. “We’re talking about …

Meta, TikTok and other social media CEOs testify in heated Senate hearing on child exploitation
11 months, 2 weeks ago

Meta, TikTok and other social media CEOs testify in heated Senate hearing on child exploitation

LA Times  

Meta Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg turns to address the audience during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Capitol Hill on Wednesday to discuss child safety. On Wednesday, the chief executives of Meta, TikTok, X and other social media companies went before the Senate Judiciary Committee to testify as lawmakers and parents grow increasingly concerned about the effects of social media …

To protect kids, California might require chronological feeds on social media
11 months, 2 weeks ago

To protect kids, California might require chronological feeds on social media

LA Times  

Social media companies design their feeds to be as gripping as possible, with complicated algorithms shuffling posts and ads into a never-ending stream of entertainment. A new California law would require companies to shut off those algorithms by default for users under 18, and implement other mandated tweaks that lawmakers say would reduce the negative mental health effects of social …

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