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U.S. States Implement Diverse Age Verification Laws to Protect Minors Online

U.S. States Implement Diverse Age Verification Laws to Protect Minors Online

In the last four years, 27 U.S. states have introduced age verification (AV) laws aimed at protecting minors from online content deemed 'harmful to minors.' These laws mandate that websites containing such material verify the age of users before granting access. However, these state-level regulations are highly inconsistent, varying significantly in their definitions of 'harmful to minors' content, acceptable thresholds, compliance requirements, and penalties for noncompliance. This patchwork of laws creates a complex legal landscape, particularly for artists and website owners whose content might include themes of nudity, sexuality, queerness, or human health. The National Coalition Against Censorship (NCAC) has issued an advisory for artists, highlighting concerns that these vague and aggressive state laws could lead to self-censorship and vulnerability to civil or criminal penalties, regardless of where a website is hosted. The NCAC emphasizes that artists with websites could be responsible for complyin...

Social media companies are trying harder to know which users are kids

Social media companies are trying harder to know which users are kids

Determining which accounts belong to children is the linchpin of online child safety measures that Meta, Google, TikTok, Roblox and other companies are ramping up as public and regulatory sentiment increasingly turns against them

Pew Survey Reveals Strong Public Support for Social Media Age Verification and Parental Consent for Minors

Pew Survey Reveals Strong Public Support for Social Media Age Verification and Parental Consent for Minors

A recent Pew Research Center survey indicates widespread support among U.S. adults for measures aimed at regulating minors' access to social media. The survey, conducted from May 26 to June 1, found that 56% of adults support a ban preventing individuals under 16 from using social media sites. This represents a significant portion of the population, with only 21% opposing such a ban and 23% unsure. Beyond an outright ban, the survey also highlighted strong backing for less restrictive measures. Eighty-five percent of adults support requiring parental consent before minors can create social media accounts, an increase from 81% in 2023. Furthermore, 78% of Americans support age verification for social media access, a rise from 71% three years prior. The same percentage, 78%, also favors limits on the amount of time minors can spend on social media, up from 69% in 2023. Support for these measures is broad, spanning both Republican and Democratic demographics, though younger adults generally show less support ...

Utah Gun Safety Group Advocates Biometric Safes Following Child's Accidental Shooting Death

Utah Gun Safety Group Advocates Biometric Safes Following Child's Accidental Shooting Death

Following the accidental shooting death of a 5-year-old in Sandy, Utah, the Gun Violence Prevention Center of Utah and its GunSafe Families project are urging firearm owners to adopt secure storage practices. Terri Gilfillan, outreach coordinator for the organization, highlighted that accidental shootings involving young children accessing firearms have been a recurring issue in Utah since 2016. The GunSafe Families program promotes the use of biometric safes, which can be opened with a firearm owner's fingerprint, addressing concerns about quick access during emergencies. These handgun-sized safes also include backup access methods. The organization emphasizes that their campaign is not about disarming individuals but about adding a layer of protection for families by preventing children from accidentally accessing firearms. They also offer lower-cost temporary storage solutions and provide free trigger locks at Salt Lake County libraries, though they consider locked safes a more secure option, especially...

EFF Urges Governor Newsom to Veto California's AB 1709 Social Media Ban for Youth

EFF Urges Governor Newsom to Veto California's AB 1709 Social Media Ban for Youth

The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) is urging California Governor Gavin Newsom to veto Assembly Bill 1709 (AB 1709), a recently passed state bill that would effectively ban social media use for individuals under the age of 16. The EFF argues that while the bill is well-intentioned, it is deeply flawed and would cut young people off from essential information and experiences. The organization highlights that vulnerable youth and marginalized groups often find safety and community in online spaces that may not be available offline. The bill aims to prohibit platforms from offering virtually all functional recommendation algorithms and basic user input features, such as following others or liking posts, to users under 16. The EFF contends that these features, labeled as 'addictive,' are fundamental tools for online services and user interaction, and that the bill relies on sweeping generalizations about youth social media use.

EFF Urges Governor Newsom to Veto California's AB 1709, Citing Free Speech and Privacy Concerns

EFF Urges Governor Newsom to Veto California's AB 1709, Citing Free Speech and Privacy Concerns

The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) is urging Governor Gavin Newsom to veto Assembly Bill 1709 (A.B. 1709), a recently passed California legislation that would ban social media use for individuals under the age of 16. The EFF argues that while well-intentioned, the bill is deeply flawed and would cut young people off from essential information and experiences, particularly harming vulnerable and marginalized youth who rely on online communities for support. The bill aims to prohibit platforms from offering virtually every functional recommendation algorithm and basic input, such as who a user follows or what posts they like, to those under 16. The EFF contends that these features are fundamental to how online services operate and that labeling them as 'addictive' relies on generalizations about youth social media use. They also warn that the bill would lead to massive privacy and free speech issues, forcing platforms to implement invasive age-verification methods like government IDs or biometric scann...

Salt Lake Temple to Reopen in 2027 After Seven-Year Renovation, Expected to Draw Millions of Visitors

Salt Lake Temple to Reopen in 2027 After Seven-Year Renovation, Expected to Draw Millions of Visitors

The Salt Lake Temple is set to reopen in 2027 following a seven-year renovation project, with Governor Spencer Cox highlighting its historical significance and anticipated economic impact. The temple, a prominent landmark in Utah, closed in 2019 for extensive renovations, which included structural work to protect it from earthquakes and the restoration of historical elements. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced that the temple will host a six-month public open house in 2027, during which an estimated 5 million people are expected to tour the interior. Reservations for the initial April tours were claimed within hours of becoming available, indicating high public interest. This will be the first time the general public has been invited inside the temple since 1893.

Washington City Encourages Emergency Preparedness During National Preparedness Month

Washington City Encourages Emergency Preparedness During National Preparedness Month

September marks National Preparedness Month, and Washington City, Utah, is urging residents to take proactive steps to prepare for emergencies. The city recommends building or updating disaster kits with essentials such as water, nonperishable food, medications, flashlights, batteries, and important documents. Families are encouraged to create communication plans to ensure everyone knows how to stay connected and where to meet in case of separation. The city emphasizes the importance of understanding local risks, reviewing evacuation routes, and discussing safety measures with children. Additionally, Washington City is hosting a Fire Prevention Week Open House on October 10 at Station 61, located at 250 W Buena Vista Blvd, to promote fire safety and community engagement.

Rockslide and Flooding Reported in Zion National Park

Rockslide and Flooding Reported in Zion National Park

A significant rockslide and flooding event occurred in Zion National Park, as captured in a video shared by NBC News. The incident highlights the impact of recent weather conditions in the area, which have led to hazardous situations for visitors and park staff. While specific details about the extent of the damage or injuries were not provided, such events are not uncommon in the region during periods of heavy rainfall. Zion National Park, located in Utah, is known for its stunning landscapes but is also prone to flash flooding and rockslides due to its unique geological features.

Social media companies are trying harder to know which users are kids

Social media companies are trying harder to know which users are kids

Determining which accounts belong to children is the linchpin of online child safety measures that Meta, Google, TikTok, Roblox and other companies are ramping up as public and regulatory sentiment increasingly turns against them

Explainer-Settlement requires Meta to check young users' ages. How will that work?

Explainer-Settlement requires Meta to check young users' ages. How will that work?

By Dietrich Knauth and Diana Novak Jones Aug 31 (Reuters) - Meta has agreed to improve how it verifies the age of users of its platforms such as Facebook and Instagram as part of an $18 billion legal settlement with U.S. states that is aimed at curbing children's use of social media.

Utah judge to decide if accused killer of Charlie Kirk will stand trial, face death penalty

Utah judge to decide if accused killer of Charlie Kirk will stand trial, face death penalty

By Andrew Hay Sept 1 (Reuters) - Nearly a year after Charlie Kirk was shot dead at a Utah university, a judge on Tuesday is expected to rule whether the Utah man accused of killing the conservative activist will stand trial and whether he should face the death penalty. At a 10 a.m.