Nation Sep 01 Amid legal battles, social media companies are trying harder to know which users are kids By Barbara Ortutay, Associated Press
Politics Aug 31 WATCH: Vance says Trump likes to 'switch it up' by posting AI video of Kharg Island bombing The vice president spoke to reporters before he flew to Michigan on Monday about the AI video that President Donald Trump posted on social media over the weekend that featured a stylized imaginary attack on Iran’s Kharg Island, which is… By Associated Press
Nation Aug 27 With time limits and stronger age checks, Meta's new rules for kids go further. Critics say it's not enough Meta has agreed to strengthen its age estimates to keep kids under 13 off its platforms and teens in age-appropriate accounts, enact a hard limit of two hours a day for users under 18, block kids from the apps from… By Barbara Ortutay, Associated Press
Nation Aug 26 Watch 7:14 $17B Meta settlement puts focus on youth mental health crisis, Colorado AG says Meta agreed to pay up to $17 billion in a settlement, putting to rest a trial where dozens of states accused it of deliberately endangering children through their platforms. The company behind Facebook and Instagram agreed to implement digital guardrails… By Geoff Bennett
Nation Aug 26 Meta reaches $17 billion settlement with states in landmark trial over teen social media addiction Meta has agreed to pay $17 billion and add stronger child-safety measures to its Facebook and Instagram platforms to end a landmark trial over teen social media addiction and settle claims filed by 47 states, state attorneys general announced Wednesday. By Barbara Ortutay, Kelvin Chan, Associated Press
Aug 24 New Zealand's prime minister proposes banning children from using social media By Charlotte Graham-McLay, Associated Press New Zealand's Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has unveiled a proposed law banning children younger than 16 from using social media platforms, citing what he said Monday was “harm being done to a generation” of young people. Continue reading
Aug 22 TikTok reaches $400 million settlement with Justice Department over children's privacy By Barbara Ortutay, Associated Press The DOJ said Friday that TikTok will pay $300 million immediately and another $100 million after an order vacates an earlier consent decree against its predecessor company, Musical.ly. Continue reading
Aug 18 Meta is on trial – again. Here's what to know about the case brought by dozens of states By Hannah Grabenstein The case is just one of many brought against Meta and other social media companies in recent years, but because states – and not solely individuals – are suing, the outcome could have broader effects. Continue reading
Aug 18 WATCH: Advocates for greater social media protections for kids speak outside Meta trial By Barbara Ortutay, Associated Press Opening statements are set to kick off Tuesday in a pivotal trial for Meta Platforms in a California federal court, where states are seeking billions of dollars in damages for social media harms to children. Continue reading
Aug 14 France's top court blocks under-15 social media ban, citing constitutional freedoms By Associated Press France last month became the first country in the European Union to pass a blanket ban on the platforms amid rising worldwide concerns about the harmful effects of digital content on kids. Continue reading