SOCIAL MEDIA HARMS
Canada’s New Brunswick cellphone ban: Students from kindergarten to Grade 8 won’t be allowed to use phones at school from...
Canada’s New Brunswick is introducing a strict cellphone ban in schools from September, with K-8 students barred from using personal devices throughout the school day. High school students will initially be allowed to use phones during lunch and between classes, but the same all-day restrictions will apply from the second semester. The province is also limiting screen time in licensed child-care centres.
Meta’s $17.1 billion settlement puts Instagram and Facebook on a digital bedtime
Meta has agreed to pay up to $17.1 billion to settle a multistate lawsuit alleging Facebook and Instagram were designed to hook children, while introducing stricter controls for U.S. teenagers, including screen-time limits, overnight restrictions, reduced notifications, stronger parental controls and non-personalised feeds, according to ToI correspondent Chidanand Rajghatta’s report.
Poland asks EU to fine Meta €250 million, urges action against scams and false ads
In a letter to the European Commission that tests conducted by CERT Polska, the national cybersecurity incident response team, found 122 advertisements that were classified as fraudulent.
Time limits to midnight cutoff: What Meta's $18 billion deal changes for teens
Meta Platforms agreed to a significant $18 billion settlement with 48 US states. This historic deal mandates substantial changes to protect younger users on its platforms. New rules will limit daily usage and restrict access during nighttime hours for minors. Meta will also enhance its age verification technology to better identify underage users. These forthcoming changes aim to improve child safety across Instagram and Facebook.
Meta settlement opens new front in global fight over social media harm
Meta's up to $18 billion settlement with nearly 50 US states over social media harm to teenagers has opened a new front in a global government fight to protect children and curb addiction to platforms such as Facebook and Instagram.
Bill Gates lists 3 big risks to AI shift. Is the world heading towards turbulent times?
Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has warned that the AI transition could become one of the most turbulent periods in history, with the technology potentially widening inequality. He called for greater preparation for its social, political and economic impact and said he would support credible efforts to slow AI development globally.
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A 2026 Pew survey asked 1,500 US teens about which social media apps negatively affect sleep; 40% found one app hurts the amount of sleep they get, but the same app is also more likely to help their mental health
A recent survey highlights TikTok's notable influence on adolescent sleep habits, with numerous teens indicating that the app detrimentally impacts their sleep quality and productivity levels. However, some TikTok users report experiencing slight improvements in their mental health. The need for entertainment is a dominant factor contributing to teen participation in these social media platforms, where they connect and share common interests.
Meta settlement puts social media industry on notice: 'There will be more'
Wednesday's historic settlement between Meta and dozens of US states could be just the start of a wave that will ripple across the social media industry, putting TikTok, YouTube and Snap under pressure to make similar changes to their apps for teens. "I hope that Snapchat, TikTok and YouTube will read the writing on the wall and enter into similar settlements," Lopez said in a statement.
Quote of the Day by Leo Tolstoy: 'Love is the only way to rescue humanity from ...' - Why gentleness is the ultimate form of strength
Leo Tolstoy profoundly asserts that love serves as the sole solution to the myriad ailments afflicting humanity. This principle is especially pertinent in our modern, fast-paced digital world. Embracing a more empathetic approach over hostility fosters true healing. Choosing to cultivate kindness in every interaction showcases the essence of genuine love, revealing that true strength is derived from compassion rather than mere force for authentic change.
What Meta agreed to in US teen safety settlement
Meta will pay up to eighteen billion dollars to settle claims regarding child engagement. States alleged social media platforms enticed and retained young users, misleading the public about risks. The agreement includes monetary payments and nationwide changes to Meta's services for teenagers. Meta will implement teen safeguards, including daily time limits and overnight blocks. These changes will be phased in after the settlement takes effect.
Meta shares hit 5% intraday high after $16.68 billion settlement over alleged harm to young users
Meta shares hit a 4.96% intraday high after the company agreed to pay up to $16.68 billion to settle claims that Facebook and Instagram harmed young users. The settlement covers claims by 29 US states and requires Meta to introduce usage limits and stronger safeguards for children on its platforms.
Meta reaches $16.68 billion settlement over social media harms to children
The deal was reached during a California federal court trial over claims brought by 29 states, averting one of the highest-profile tests yet of allegations that social media companies harmed young users. Just days before jury selection began on August 12, a federal appeals court declined to halt the trial.
Meta, US states have discussed settling teen social media harm case
The report comes during a federal court trial in California over claims brought by 29 states, in what is one of the highest-profile tests of allegations that social media companies have harmed young users. Just days before jury selection began on August 12, a federal appeals court declined to halt the trial.
Meta, US states weigh deal over claims it designed Instagram, Facebook to hook young users: Report
Meta Platforms and state attorneys general are discussing a potential mid-trial settlement. This lawsuit accuses the company of designing social media to be addictive for young users. The ongoing federal court trial in California is a significant test of these allegations. Several state attorneys general have announced plans for press conferences regarding settlements. These actions are part of a larger effort addressing youth mental health concerns.
Brazil fines TikTok owner ByteDance for unlawful processing of teenagers' data
ANPD said that the local unit of China's ByteDance had processed personal data of teenagers aged 13 to 18 without a valid legal basis. The regulator estimated that, during the period under review, TikTok may have processed the data of at least 8 million children, reflecting what it described as shortcomings in the platform's age-verification system.
New Zealand to introduce bill banning social media for children under 16
New Zealand’s conservative coalition government will introduce legislation to ban children under 16 from using social media, with platforms facing fines of up to 10% of global revenue for non-compliance. The proposed law would require platforms to verify users’ ages using measures including account information, facial technology and digital identity documents.
New Zealand to introduce bill banning social media for children under 16
The bill would require social media platforms to take reasonable steps to verify users' ages, including by utilising existing account information, facial technology and digital identity documents.
From Australia to Europe, countries move to curb children's social media access
Below is a summary of what countries and companies are doing to regulate access to social media amid mounting concerns over the impact of social media on children's health and safety.
US teen drops lawsuit against Meta, Google and Snap ahead of trial
The plaintiff, a 15-year-old girl from New Jersey identified in California court records as P. M-Y., had alleged the platforms' owners - Meta Platforms, Google and Snap Inc - contributed to her social media addiction, depression and self-harm.
Participants at MeitY child safety consultation call for regulation beyond content takedowns
Participants said there was no demand for a blanket ban on social media. Instead, discussions centred on defining and enforcing “safety by design” standards for digital platforms, including measures to prevent children from being exposed to addictive features, excessive screen use, grooming and other risks.
Teen drops landmark social media addiction case against Meta, Google, Snap
A 15-year-old girl dropped her lawsuit against Meta, Google, and Snap Inc. She had alleged social media addiction and mental health issues. Her attorney stated the dismissal allows her client to resume her life. TikTok had previously settled her claims, while other cases proceed. Companies deny allegations and state they protect young users.
Former Meta engineer says Instagram took a 'don't ask, don't tell' approach on kids under 13
During his second day of testimony, Arturo Bejar said Meta consistently prioritized profits over safety in designing its products, focusing on how often and for how long people used them, even if it was detrimental to their mental well-being.
Former Meta engineer resumes testimony in landmark trial over social media's harm to young users
Arturo Bejar, who worked at Meta from 2009 to 2015 before returning to the company as an independent contractor from 2019 to 2021, is the first witness in a landmark trial over claims brought by a coalition of states accusing the company of designing its platforms to addict young users. Meta, which denies the states' allegations and says it stands by its efforts to protect teens, has argued that Bejar's opinions are beyond the scope of his work at the company.
Major Meta trial begins as lawyers spar over witnesses, damages
Facebook-parent Meta will defend itself in a landmark social media trial that begins Tuesday in California, where attorneys have sparred over witnesses and financial penalties. Dozens of US states sued four major tobacco companies for downplaying the harmful health impacts of their products, and won a 1998 landmark settlement that included financial penalties and changes to product marketing.
In Meta's trial, families of social media victims see pivotal moment for online safety
Written on it in black ink were the names of children and young adults who have died from social media related harms, including deaths by suicide after bouts of cyberbullying or sextortion. Giovanni, an 11-year-old, Bubba, a 13-year-old, and Englyn, a 14-year-old, were among the nearly 600 names. Parents said the names were "just the tip of the iceberg."
Meta more cautious on CSAM after unequivocal govt message; action visible: IT Ministry sources
Sources said the government's intent is not censorship or restricting coverage in any way, but ensuring Indian laws and norms are followed and that social media harms are mitigated. Meta explained how its algorithms and systems work, the ministry sources said, noting that discussions are on and such matters involve "judgment calls" and "tweaks".
‘Message has gone home’: Govt presses Meta on CSAM, WhatsApp username row
Government's firm stance on child sexual abuse material prompts Meta's increased action. Discussions focus on algorithm adjustments and ensuring Indian laws are followed. The WhatsApp username row is under examination, affecting multiple messaging applications. Nations like Australia, the UK, and France share concerns over social media harms. Synthetically generated content must be labeled, with platforms holding responsibility.
A look at major lawsuits against Meta, other social media companies over harms to kids
In a federal trial beginning Tuesday in Oakland, California, the Instagram and Facebook parent company is fighting claims that it has contributed to the youth mental health crisis by deliberately designing features that get children addicted.
Jury selection begins in Meta youth harms trial in California federal court
The 2023 lawsuit, filed in federal court in Oakland, California, claims that Meta routinely collects data on children under 13 without their parents' consent, in violation of federal law.
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