LONDON — European Union regulators are investigating Snapchat over concerns the platform isn’t doing enough to protect kids and exposing them to risks such as increased vulnerability to child predators or recruitment by criminals. The 27-nation EU’s executive Commission said Thursday it was opening a formal investigation into Snapchat under the bloc’s sweeping rule book...Read More

(WPDE) — South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson has issued a stark warning to parents about a disturbing trend targeting children and teens in the state. Wilson urged parents to be vigilant, as many are unaware of the exploitation occurring among their children. READ MORE: Gov. McMaster defends state right to exclude abortion providers from...Read More

The European Commission on Thursday opened an investigation into Snapchat and warned four pornographic platforms they could face penalties for failing to follow child safety laws. The moves come as regulators worldwide grapple with the challenge of verifying users’ ages online while protecting their data from cyberattacks. The problem has proved difficult to solve in...Read More

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla (CBS12) — The dark corners of the internet have become breeding grounds for increasingly dangerous online networks, and federal investigators say one group in particular—known as “764”—is targeting teenagers, coercing them into violent and exploitative actions. According to the FBI, hundreds of active investigations are underway involving “764“—a digital movement where...Read More

The Buzz ■ Meta lost two separate child safety trials this week, according to CNBC, in what experts are calling a ‘watershed event’ for social media liability ■ The twin defeats underscore a dramatic shift in public and legal sentiment toward platform accountability for youth harm ■ The timing compounds existing pressure on Zuckerberg from...Read More

It’s not all fun and games. Experts have long warned that spending a lot of time playing video games can increase anxiety, depression, eye strain, the risk of developing obesity and other health woes. Research has also shown a link between excessive gaming and another serious issue you might not expect — with one expert...Read More

The European Commission on Thursday launched a formal investigation into Snapchat to assess potential violations of the Digital Services Act, citing concerns that the platform may be exposing children to harmful content, criminal activity and illegal products. The Commission said it opened proceedings to determine whether Snapchat is acting in line with the Digital Services...Read More

Children and teenagers are still at risk from online harm on Instagram despite the rollout of “woefully ineffective” safety tools, according to research led by a Meta whistleblower. Two-thirds (64%) of new safety tools on Instagram were found to be ineffective, according to a comprehensive review led by Arturo Béjar, a former senior engineer at...Read More

It’s too soon to tell if this week’s jury decisions will lead to fundamental changes in how social media treats its young users. But the dual verdicts signal a changing tide of public perception against tech companies that is likely to lead to more lawsuits and regulation. For years, they have argued that the harms...Read More

 SPOKANE, Wash. – A lot of kids and teenagers are turning to AI social companions these days without realizing they come with very serious risks. These are much different than AI tools like Chat GPT, which answer questions or complete requests. AI social companions are designed to simulate real relationships and form emotional connections with users. “It’s definitely a...Read More