Quick summary – click for full details Concise summary of key highlights In one line Google expands age-assurance API globally to enhance child safety on Android apps and parental controls. Key points • Global age-assurance expansion Google is rolling out the Play Age Signals API worldwide to help developers enforce age-appropriate content and parental controls....Read More

Tech companies with young users have until January 2027 to comply with New York’s sweeping finalized guardrails on social media platforms. The framework released Tuesday is among the most advanced for children’s online safety in the US and comes amid a national movement to further restrict how online platforms engage with minors. Gov. Kathy Hochul...Read More

Companies who sell age-checking software want Australia to grant the eSafety commissioner investigative powers to “test” if social media companies are using their technology properly. The Age Verification Providers Association (AVPA) has backed Labor’s bill to strengthen Australia’s social media age laws and called on the federal government to go further with a mandatory audit...Read More

ROB SAND, THE DEMOCRAT RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR, SAYS IT’S TIME TO BAN SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS FOR CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 16 — AND TO REQUIRE PARENTAL CONSENT BEFORE 16 AND 17 YEAR OLDS MAY HAVE THEIR OWN SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNT. SAND SAID STUDY AFTER STUDY HAS LINKED SOCIAL MEDIA USE AMONG CHILDREN TO HIGHER...Read More

The Endless Scroll Could Look Different for Kids That endless social media scroll that keeps kids (and let’s be honest, adults too) glued to their phones could be changing. New York has finalized new rules aimed at protecting children online and giving parents more say. The rules are designed to limit some of the features...Read More

What’s in the rules Algorithmically personalized feeds, or addictive feeds, recommend or personalize content for users in an endless stream based on data that the platform gathers about the user. They are designed to encourage a user to continue to use and return to a platform. Content displayed in addictive feeds is often from accounts...Read More

Two local teens caught on camera kicking a residential door, participating in a social media trend called the “Door Kick Challenge,” were taken into custody on felony vandalism charges following an investigation, according to a Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station spokesperson and social media post.   Detectives with the Juveniles and Gangs Team, also known as JAG, identified and detained two local...Read More

The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office posted a list of apps on Facebook that parents should be aware of if their kids have accounts on these platforms. They are encouraging guardians to learn about these apps and to communicate with their children about the importance of practicing online safety habits. Officials listed apps such as Snapchat, TikTok,...Read More

Quick look: Savanna School District has implemented a new emergency alert badge system across its four campuses, giving staff a discreet way to request assistance during emergencies while helping school administrators and first responders act more quickly. When emergencies happen on campus, every second counts. Savanna School District has implemented the InformaCast® Wearable Alert Badge system...Read More

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — New York state is rolling out new rules to protect children and teenagers from social media features linked to depression, anxiety and other mental health issues. Attorney General Letitia James and Gov. Kathy Hochul released the final rules Tuesday for implementing the Safe for Kids Act, establishing new requirements for social...Read More