Meta faces 29 states in the biggest youth social media trial yet, with $1.4 trillion at stake

The long legal reckoning over social media and childhood is about to have its biggest day in court. Meta goes on trial this week against a coalition of 29 US states that accuse it of deliberately engi [...]

Meta will let kids under 13 use WhatsApp with parent-managed accounts

Meta has announced that it’s introducing parent-managed accounts on WhatsApp. Designed to allow young people under the age of 13 to use the messaging platform more safely, these accounts feature new [...]

Australia’s teen social media ban works on paper, less so in practice

A law is only as strong as the door it actually closes, and Australia’s ban on social media for under-16s appears to have left a window open. On 26 June, six months after the world-first measure too [...]

Meta is trying to make Facebook suck less by simplifying things a bit

Somewhere along its never-ending quest to increase engagement, Meta realized that giving Facebook users more of what they want would make it more likely that they'll stick around. The company has [...]

Nearly one-third of teens use AI chatbots daily

AI chatbots haven't come close to replacing teens' social media habits, but they are playing a significant role in their online habits. Nearly one-third of US teens report using AI chatbots [...]

Spain holds the line on social media and AI rules as US tech lobbying intensifies

Digital transformation minister Óscar López says ‘the profit of four tech companies cannot come at the expense of the rights of millions’ as Madrid’s regulatory package moves through parliamen [...]

Australia will consider requiring app stores to block AI services without age verification

Australia's government may take a strict stance on ensuring younger users cannot access AI chatbots. Reuters reports that Australian regulators may require app storefronts to block AI services th [...]

Snapchat gives parents more info on who their kids are talking to

Snapchat is updating its parental control features to give parents more detailed information about who their kids are connecting with in the app and which features they use the most. The app's Fa [...]

Are VPNs legal?

VPNs have a mixed reputation, primarily because you can use the technology to hide your location and identity on the internet. Even the best VPNs can be used to conceal crimes and make the perpetrator [...]