Phones Without Social Media: Is the New Trend Protecting Kids?
Can phones without social media protect kids from its risks? A new trend offers parents hope.
December 12, 2024
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In this week’s roundup, find out how parents’ smartphone usage can affect kids, learn more about Waymo’s new teen taxi service, and a rising phishing scam on TikTok Shop to be aware of.
New Ruling May Signal Big Tech’s Free Ride on Section 230 Is Over
A Pennsylvania appeals court ruled that TikTok must confront a lawsuit for promoting the dangerous ‘blackout challenge’ linked to several child fatalities.
The court’s decision signifies a potential breach in Section 230 protections, holding TikTok accountable for its algorithmic content recommendations.
The ruling shows how courts are thinking about platform accountability after a major Supreme Court ruling this year and could signal limits of a key tech immunity shield that Big Tech has depended on.
TikTok must face a lawsuit for recommending the viral ‘blackout challenge’ | The Verge
Surgeon General Calls For Urgent Support for Parents
U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy’s latest advisory emphasizes the urgent need to support parents, who experience significantly higher stress than other adults — 33% vs. 20%.
Dr. Murthy highlights tech as part of the problem, pointing to “new challenges like navigating technology and social media, a youth mental health crisis, [and] an epidemic of loneliness” as major contributors to parental stress today.
The advisory advocates for policy changes and community programs to alleviate parenting pressures, improve mental health care access, and promote supportive environments.
U.S. Surgeon General Issues Advisory on the Mental Health and Well-Being of Parents | U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Waymo’s Teen Taxi Service
Waymo is exploring a subscription service called “Waymo Teen,” allowing teenagers to use robotaxis independently while sending ride alerts to their parents.
The program, with potential costs of $150 to $250 per month for up to 16 rides, aims to ease parental concerns about teen transportation.
Uber also targets teens with ride-hailing services.
Waymo wants to chauffeur your kids | Tech Crunch
Parental Smartphone Use Spurs Kids’ Anxiety
A study found that parents’ excessive smartphone use, known as “technoference,” negatively impacts their children’s mental health.
Children aged 9 to 11 who perceived higher technoference reported increased anxiety, attention issues, and hyperactivity.
The research links parental distractions to decreased engagement and emotional support, affecting children’s overall well-being.
Parents Distracted By Smartphones Linked To Higher Anxiety In Kids | Forbes
Phishing Scandal Hits TikTok Shop
Fraudsters are targeting TikTok Shop users with sophisticated phishing schemes to steal bank information.
Victims, including those with Mountain America Credit Union memberships, have had their accounts compromised after online purchases.
Experts advise frequent account monitoring and caution against sharing sensitive information over the phone to prevent such fraud.
Is it safe to purchase items from TikTok Shop? Scam hits southern Utah | St. George News
White House Pressured Facebook on COVID Posts
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg claimed that senior Biden administration officials pressured Facebook to censor certain COVID-19 content, including humor and satire.
In a letter to Rep. Jim Jordan, Zuckerberg expressed regret for not being more outspoken against this pressure and vowed to resist such demands in the future.
The White House defended its actions as efforts to protect public health, contributing to the ongoing debate over government involvement in online content sharing platforms.
Zuckerberg says the White House pressured Facebook over some COVID-19 content during the pandemic | AP News
Telegram Founder Arrested Over Criminal Investigation
Telegram founder Pavel Durov was arrested near Paris as part of a French investigation into criminal activities on the app, including child pornography and drug sales.
Telegram, a social app with over 900 million users, allows for direct messaging, group chats, and channels for broadcasting messages to hundreds of thousands of subscribers.
Durov, who remains in custody, faces potential legal and diplomatic repercussions as the investigation also involves his alleged non-cooperation with law enforcement.
Telegram Founder’s Arrest Part of Broad Investigation, French Prosecutors Say | The New York Times
Other Headlines
- How tech exes like Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos, and Bill Gates approached parenting, from screen-time limits to chores | Business Insider
- Parents Cautiously Optimistic on AI in Schools: Content Safety and Data Privacy Among Top Worries | PR Newswire
Did we miss anything?
Let us know in the comments below.
Author Jackie Baucom
Jackie is a Gabb staff writer. She is the mother of four children and is passionate about keeping kids safe, happy, loved, and thriving. She has a degree in Mass Communication from the University of Utah.
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