Roblox Safety Updates, Tech Loneliness, and EdTech Failure

Here’s what’s happening in tech this week. From safety updates on Roblox and legal news about Meta, to the latest insights on TikTok’s uncertain future and tech’s role in the loneliness epidemic, these stories touch on issues that impact kids, teens, and families.

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Roblox Tightens Safety for Kids Under 13

In response to reports of child abuse, Roblox is banning users under 13 from accessing social hangout spaces and interactive experiences like chalkboard drawing, starting November 18th. 

By December, kids will also be restricted from unrated content, with creators needing to verify age-appropriate compliance for younger players.

Roblox is banning kids from ‘social hangout’ spaces | The Verge

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Is TikTok Here to Stay?

TikTok hopes President-elect Donald Trump will prevent its ban, slated for Jan. 19th.

Despite previous attempts to block TikTok due to national security concerns, Trump’s team indicated he will deliver on campaign promises to delay enforcement or deem changes to TikTok’s ownership as sufficient.

Experts predict an uphill battle to secure the app’s long-term U.S. presence.

Trump Raises TikTok’s Hopes for a Rescue in the United States | The New York Times

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Tech is Fueling an Epidemic of Loneliness

Harvard and other researchers reveal that tech use, including social media, texting, and binge-watching, is intensifying loneliness. 

Comparison on social media, over-reliance on text-based communication, and binge-watching isolates users, particularly youth. 

Experts recommend face-to-face interaction, richer communication, and limits on screen time to combat this growing issue.

How Tech Created a ‘Recipe for Loneliness’ | The New York Times

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Zuckerberg Not Personally Liable in Child Social Media Addiction Cases

A federal judge ruled that Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg isn’t personally liable in 25 lawsuits accusing Meta of addicting children to Facebook and Instagram. 

Plaintiffs argued Zuckerberg ignored internal warnings about mental health risks, but the judge cited insufficient evidence of direct wrongdoing. 

Meta still faces related claims.

Meta’s Zuckerberg not liable in lawsuits over social media harm to children | Reuters

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Disinformation is a Real Threat

Although AI-generated disinformation didn’t significantly impact the 2024 election, experts caution that it’s still a growing threat. 

Oren Etzioni, founder of TrueMedia, notes that most deepfakes target private channels outside the U.S. rather than the mainstream.

Etzioni predicts more effective tools will emerge within the next four years to address this issue.

Generative disinfo is real — you’re just not the target, warns deepfake tracking nonprofit | Tech Crunch

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An Increase of Misogynistic Comments Online

Following Trump’s election last week, misogynistic phrases like “your body, my choice” — popularized by far-right figure Nick Fuentes — flooded social media, targeting women expressing dismay at the election results. 

The Institute for Strategic Dialogue reports a 4,600% spike in such language on X, impacting both online discourse and offline behaviors. 

Sexist attacks on women surge on social media after Trump’s win, report finds | NBC News

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The EdTech Revolution: A Faded Promise

Despite the widespread implementation of digital devices in classrooms, findings now suggest that educational technology has not delivered the anticipated academic benefits.

Some research suggests that excessive use of computers in schools may hinder learning due to multitasking and distraction.

The EdTech Revolution Has Failed | After Babel

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Other Headlines

• TikTok is integrating with influencer shopping app LTK, videos show | Tech Crunch

• She Was a Child Instagram Influencer. Her Fans Were Grown Men. | The New York Times

• Apple AI notification summaries exist; rarely useful, often hilarious | The Verge

• With Surge in New Users, Bluesky Emerges as X Alternative | The New York Times

• In Europe, Instagram Ads Are About to Get Less Personal | The Wall Street Journal

• TikTok launches integration with Lemon8, as US ban looms | Tech Crunch

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Did we miss anything?

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