Teens know better than anyone that social media is a double-edged sword. A new Pew survey finds that while most teens feel more connected and creative online, many also see the darker side—especially when it comes to their peers. Parents worry even more, often blaming social media as the biggest threat to teen mental health.
Read & Share sourced from: Fast CompanyPublic media has fought off funding threats before—but this time, the stakes are higher. With the White House reportedly planning to eliminate federal support for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, stations across the country—especially in rural and underserved areas—face an uncertain future. While some networks have grown less dependent on government dollars, others, particularly those
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Nebraska lawmakers moved forward this week with a bill requiring age verification for social media accounts, advancing it by a 38-2 vote. Introduced by State Sen. Tanya Storer and backed by Governor Jim Pillen, the proposal aims to bolster parental oversight and address youth mental health concerns. Supporters say it’s a necessary step to protect
Read & Share sourced from: Nebraska Examiner
Governor Kelly Armstrong signed House Bill 1160 into law, requiring North Dakota’s K-12 public schools to implement “bell-to-bell” phone-free policies starting August 1. The new law mandates that personal electronic devices be securely stowed and inaccessible during the school day, while allowing exceptions for instructional use, medical needs, and individualized education plans. Leaders say the
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While the most serious measles epidemic in a decade has led to the deaths of two children and spread to 27 states with no signs of letting up, beliefs about the safety of the measles vaccine and the threat of the disease are sharply polarized, fed by the anti-vaccine views of the country’s seniormost health
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When social media rewards bad behavior, it reshapes the incentives for public servants. A new study from a team of computational social scientists suggests that U.S. state legislators who spread low-credibility information or use hostile language—especially during politically volatile periods—can boost their visibility online. But not all harmful content has the same effect. This research
Read & Share sourced from: The ConversationKeeping kids safe online isn’t just a parental challenge—it’s increasingly becoming a legislative priority. In Alabama, the Senate has passed two new bills that would require built-in filters on smartphones and age verification for app stores. The idea is simple: if a child activates the device, the filter turns on; if they want to use
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Nebraska is one step closer to requiring age checks for social media accounts. Lawmakers advanced a bill that would make users verify their age before creating an account — and give parents broad control over their kids’ online activity. Supporters say it’s a needed response to rising mental health concerns among young people. Critics argue
Read & Share sourced from: Nebraska Examiner
The data we give away online has built empires—and now, one Minnesota lawmaker says it’s time those empires paid rent. Senator Ann Rest is pushing a new tax on social media giants, targeting the platforms that profit from Minnesotans’ personal data. With a looming budget shortfall, she calls it a fair share. Critics see it
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North Carolina lawmakers are weighing how far schools should go in limiting student cell phone use. A new bill moving through the state House would require school districts to set policies on phones during class but stops short of a full ban. Some advocates want stricter “bell-to-bell” restrictions, arguing phones disrupt learning and fuel cyberbullying.
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Social media isn’t inherently good or bad—it all depends on how it’s designed. While platforms offer teens opportunities for connection, creativity, and support, they also expose them to cyberbullying, privacy concerns, and addictive behaviors. Lawmakers are debating broad restrictions, but researchers argue for a different approach: redesigning platforms to prioritize safety while preserving benefits. Features
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North Dakota lawmakers are looking to tighten the rules on political messaging. The state Senate overwhelmingly passed a bill aimed at curbing misleading ads, expanding existing laws to include social media, text messages, and phone calls. Supporters argue that evolving election tactics demand updated protections, especially after recent controversies over deceptive campaign texts. While enforcement
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Meta didn’t wait for Careless People to hit the shelves before trying to discredit it. The company’s preemptive strike against former executive Sarah Wynn-Williams’ memoir only fueled curiosity, and now the book is climbing the bestseller charts. It’s not an exposé with groundbreaking revelations, but a deeply personal account of Meta’s leadership culture—one that, according
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Utah is taking another step to regulate teen social media use, this time by shifting responsibility to app stores. A newly passed bill would require Apple and Google to verify users’ ages and link minors’ accounts to a parent’s for approval before downloading apps with terms of service agreements. Unlike past efforts, this measure has
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An Alabama House committee recently convened to discuss two proposed bills aimed at restricting social media access for minors. The first bill, sponsored by Rep. David Faulkner, would prohibit anyone under 16 from creating accounts, while a second bill by Rep. Ben Robbins seeks to expand limitations to include 18-year-olds with additional parental controls. While
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In an age where smartphones feel like extensions of our hands, Nebraska lawmakers are stepping into the fray with proposals aimed squarely at safeguarding young minds. Leading the charge, State Sen. Tanya Storer and colleagues are set to introduce legislation requiring parental consent for minors to sign up on social media platforms. That’s alongside measures
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