Cellphones are everywhere—including in the hands of kids as young as nine. But in Fargo, parents, educators, and community leaders are pushing back. A new North Dakota law will ban personal device use in schools starting this fall, and local efforts like[...]
Tag: Social Media
Commentary |
Social media companies are like tobacco companies; tax their products for their harms
Minnesota lawmakers are taking aim at big tech’s data grab—with a proposed “data mining tax” on large social media platforms that profit from user information without ever sending a bill. The idea is simple: if companies are enriching themselves by harvesting your[...]
Commentary |
Letter: Setting the Record Straight on Liquor Licenses
Editor’s Note: In response to recent social media content shared widely that could easily be argued as libelous, former advisory committee member Kevin Black shared the following comments intended for City Council with local media representatives. We’ve chosen, with permission of Mr.[...]
News |
Is social media hurting teens’ mental health? It’s complicated
Teens know better than anyone that social media is a double-edged sword. A new Pew survey finds that while most teens feel more connected and creative online, many also see the darker side—especially when it comes to their peers. Parents worry even[...]
News |
Here’s how much public media relies on federal funding, and what could happen next
Public media has fought off funding threats before—but this time, the stakes are higher. With the White House reportedly planning to eliminate federal support for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, stations across the country—especially in rural and underserved areas—face an uncertain future.[...]
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News |
Nebraska social media age-verification bill moves forward
Nebraska lawmakers moved forward this week with a bill requiring age verification for social media accounts, advancing it by a 38-2 vote. Introduced by State Sen. Tanya Storer and backed by Governor Jim Pillen, the proposal aims to bolster parental oversight and[...]
News Release |
Armstrong Signs bill requiring phone-free K-12 public schools in ND
Governor Kelly Armstrong signed House Bill 1160 into law, requiring North Dakota’s K-12 public schools to implement “bell-to-bell” phone-free policies starting August 1. The new law mandates that personal electronic devices be securely stowed and inaccessible during the school day, while allowing[...]
News |
Measles Misinformation Is on the Rise — And Americans Are Hearing It, Survey Finds
While the most serious measles epidemic in a decade has led to the deaths of two children and spread to 27 states with no signs of letting up, beliefs about the safety of the measles vaccine and the threat of the disease[...]
Curio |
When Going Viral Means Going Low
When social media rewards bad behavior, it reshapes the incentives for public servants. A new study from a team of computational social scientists suggests that U.S. state legislators who spread low-credibility information or use hostile language—especially during politically volatile periods—can boost their[...]
Curio |
Alabama Senate passes bills requiring device filters, app store age checks for minors
Keeping kids safe online isn’t just a parental challenge—it’s increasingly becoming a legislative priority. In Alabama, the Senate has passed two new bills that would require built-in filters on smartphones and age verification for app stores. The idea is simple: if a[...]
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News |
Nebraska social media age-verification bill moves forward
Nebraska is one step closer to requiring age checks for social media accounts. Lawmakers advanced a bill that would make users verify their age before creating an account — and give parents broad control over their kids’ online activity. Supporters say it’s[...]
News |
Social media platforms could be in for a popularity tax in Minnesota
The data we give away online has built empires—and now, one Minnesota lawmaker says it’s time those empires paid rent. Senator Ann Rest is pushing a new tax on social media giants, targeting the platforms that profit from Minnesotans’ personal data. With[...]
Curio |
NC House panel advances bill restricting K-12 student cell phone use
North Carolina lawmakers are weighing how far schools should go in limiting student cell phone use. A new bill moving through the state House would require school districts to set policies on phones during class but stops short of a full ban.[...]
Curio |
Social media design is key to protecting kids online
Social media isn’t inherently good or bad—it all depends on how it’s designed. While platforms offer teens opportunities for connection, creativity, and support, they also expose them to cyberbullying, privacy concerns, and addictive behaviors. Lawmakers are debating broad restrictions, but researchers argue[...]
News |
North Dakota Senate passes bill addressing false information in political advertisements
North Dakota lawmakers are looking to tighten the rules on political messaging. The state Senate overwhelmingly passed a bill aimed at curbing misleading ads, expanding existing laws to include social media, text messages, and phone calls. Supporters argue that evolving election tactics[...]
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News |
Meta Tries to Bury a Tell-All Book
Meta didn’t wait for Careless People to hit the shelves before trying to discredit it. The company’s preemptive strike against former executive Sarah Wynn-Williams’ memoir only fueled curiosity, and now the book is climbing the bestseller charts. It’s not an exposé with[...]