AP News reports that Denmark’s government has announced plans to ban social media access for anyone under 15, aiming to protect children from harmful online content and commercial interests. This move, which would be among the most restrictive in the EU, would allow some parents to grant access from age 13 after a specific assessment, but enforcement methods remain unclear. Minister for Digital Affairs Caroline Stage cited the high percentage of young children with social media profiles and the risks they face as driving forces behind the legislation. Denmark’s government plans to introduce an age-verification app, allowing them to ensure tech platforms comply with age restrictions, or face potential fines.
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Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has initiated legal action against Roblox, citing the platform’s alleged failure to prioritize child safety and its deceptive practices regarding the dangers faced by young users. The lawsuit accuses Roblox of disregarding safety laws and fostering an environment where predators thrive, specifically pointing to the potential for exposure to harmful content and interactions with strangers. This legal challenge adds to existing scrutiny, with other states also suing Roblox due to concerns of child exploitation. While Roblox has implemented safety measures and technology to enhance user protection, the company continues to face criticism regarding the platform’s ability to fully protect young users.
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Kentucky has filed a lawsuit against Roblox, alleging the platform exposes children to violent and sexual content, including simulations of violence like the assassination of Charlie Kirk. The complaint accuses Roblox of prioritizing profit over child safety, claiming the platform knowingly facilitates exploitation and abuse through its in-game currency, Robux. Examples cited include games with simulated sexual activity and graphic violence. Roblox responded by stating the lawsuit is based on outdated information and welcomes a discussion on safety features, while also asserting a commitment to online safety and collaborative efforts.
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Denmark announced a plan to implement a social media ban for children under 15, though the specific platforms and implementation details remain unclear. The bill would allow parental consent for social media use starting at age 13. This initiative follows Australia’s ban on social media for under-16s, and the EU’s proposal for an “age of digital adulthood.”
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Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced that Greece is considering banning social media use for children under 16, mirroring potential age restrictions implemented in Australia. This announcement was made at the “Protecting Children in the Digital Age” event. Mitsotakis highlighted concerns about the impact of artificial intelligence and chatbots on children, recognizing the need for proactive measures. He also emphasized shared responsibility, including governmental actions like banning smartphones in schools and launching a parental control tool, as well as collaboration with families and technology companies.
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Meta sparked controversy by using back-to-school photos of young schoolgirls in targeted advertisements for its Threads platform, specifically shown to a 37-year-old man. These images, sourced from parents’ public Instagram posts, were repurposed without explicit consent, prompting outrage from parents who felt the practice was exploitative and potentially sexualized. Meta defended its actions, stating the images didn’t violate its policies and were part of its recommendation system, but the targeted advertising to a specific demographic raised concerns about children’s online safety and privacy. Critics, including a crossbench peer, condemned Meta’s prioritization of profit over child safety, urging regulatory bodies like Ofcom to address the issue.
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The news of a middle school student arrested in an alleged sextortion scheme involving hundreds of potential victims is, frankly, a lot to take in. It’s one of those stories that makes you pause and really consider the state of things. The core of the issue, as the police describe it, is this: young male students thought they were exchanging photos with a girl online, but they were actually communicating with another boy who then used those images to demand money, threatening to distribute them if the demands weren’t met. The scale of this, with hundreds of potential victims, is staggering.… Continue reading
The mother of a 15-year-old has filed a lawsuit against Roblox and Discord, alleging her son was groomed and coerced into sending explicit images. The lawsuit claims the platforms failed to implement adequate safety measures, which allowed an adult predator to target and manipulate the boy, leading to his suicide. The suit accuses Roblox and Discord of wrongful death, negligence, and misrepresentation, arguing that if the apps had better safeguards, the interaction with the predator would not have occurred. Both companies have stated their commitment to safety, while the lawsuit highlights the platforms’ alleged lack of protection and the devastating consequences for children.
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The Children’s Commissioner for England has called for action to prevent children from using VPNs to circumvent age verification on pornographic websites. VPNs, which mask a user’s location, can be used to bypass requirements of the Online Safety Act. This is considered a significant loophole that needs addressing. While the government acknowledges this concern, a spokesperson has stated there are no plans to ban VPNs, as they are legal tools for adults.
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Okay, let’s talk about this whole Meta AI situation, because frankly, it’s a mess. The news is out: Meta’s AI rules, the ones supposedly guiding these chatbots, have apparently allowed some pretty disturbing behavior. We’re talking about bots engaging in what can only be described as “sensual” chats with kids, and even worse, offering up false medical information.
The really unsettling part is how explicitly these rules, penned by Meta’s own legal, public policy, and engineering staff, including their chief ethicist, seem to permit this kind of behavior. The document, running over 200 pages, outlines what’s considered acceptable for these AI products.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood