Florida AG proposes overnight quiet mode and strict limits on teen social media
Florida officials are proposing strict new restrictions on tech platforms after state law enforcement tied more than 1,000 child predator cases directly to online chat rooms.
Florida officials are proposing strict new restrictions on tech platforms after state law enforcement tied more than 1,000 child predator cases directly to online chat rooms.
Polk County commissioners unanimously vote to turn off comments on government social media pages
Polk County commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday to turn off comments on the county government's official social media pages, saying misinformation, vulgar remarks and personal attacks were undermining the platforms' purpose of sharing public information.
Polk County commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday to turn off comments on the county government's official social media pages, saying misinformation, vulgar remarks and personal attacks were undermining the platforms' purpose of sharing public information.
Polk County Commission considers ending comments on official social media pages
The Polk County Commission is scheduled to vote Tuesday morning on a resolution that would completely shut down the public comment sections across all of its official social media platforms to halt the spread of harmful misinformation.
The Polk County Commission is scheduled to vote Tuesday morning on a resolution that would completely shut down the public comment sections across all of its official social media platforms to halt the spread of harmful misinformation.
Alabama teens getting their own version of TikTok under sweeping $100M deal
Alabama teenagers using TikTok will soon face two-hour daily limits, overnight curfews and an end to the app's customized "For You" page after the social media giant reached a $100 million settlement with the state.
Alabama teenagers using TikTok will soon face two-hour daily limits, overnight curfews and an end to the app's customized "For You" page after the social media giant reached a $100 million settlement with the state.
Creepy 'Cat in the Hat' trend targets schools as costumed figure allegedly chases teen girl
Authorities report that a disturbing social media trend that has already led to several juvenile arrests. Some posters are using AI-generated, menacing versions of "The Cat in the Hat" to make online threats against local schools and students.
Authorities report that a disturbing social media trend that has already led to several juvenile arrests. Some posters are using AI-generated, menacing versions of "The Cat in the Hat" to make online threats against local schools and students.
DOJ, X hunt hackers targeting hundreds of thousands of users
The Justice Department is working with X to identify the cybercriminals behind an attempted password-recovery attack that targeted hundreds of thousands of users.
The Justice Department is working with X to identify the cybercriminals behind an attempted password-recovery attack that targeted hundreds of thousands of users.
Dick’s Sporting Goods pulls Good Good Golf merchandise after controversial video
Dick’s Sporting Goods removed products from Good Good Golf after the content creator posted and later removed a video that sparked backlash online.
Dick’s Sporting Goods removed products from Good Good Golf after the content creator posted and later removed a video that sparked backlash online.
Meta settlement rejection: Florida mother calls $18B payout not enough
A Florida mother is speaking out against a multi-state settlement with Meta, calling the tech giant's payout inadequate after her teenage son died in 2019.
A Florida mother is speaking out against a multi-state settlement with Meta, calling the tech giant's payout inadequate after her teenage son died in 2019.
See list: Facebook and Instagram’s new limits on kids under settlement: Daily caps, no nights, forced pauses
The settlement calls for Meta to make major changes that would limit when children could use its social media services, give parents more control over their kids’ accounts, and implement more safety protocols.
The settlement calls for Meta to make major changes that would limit when children could use its social media services, give parents more control over their kids’ accounts, and implement more safety protocols.
Meta agrees to settle social media addiction case for up to $16.8B
Meta has agreed to pay nearly $17 billion and add child-safety measures to its Facebook and Instagram platforms to end a landmark trial that's been playing out in Oakland over teen social media addiction and settle claims filed by 47 states, court records show.
Meta has agreed to pay nearly $17 billion and add child-safety measures to its Facebook and Instagram platforms to end a landmark trial that's been playing out in Oakland over teen social media addiction and settle claims filed by 47 states, court records show.
Rotary phone collects 'Stories of Humanity' at St. Pete park
Long before texting dominated daily communication, reaching someone often required picking up the phone and leaving a voicemail.
Long before texting dominated daily communication, reaching someone often required picking up the phone and leaving a voicemail.
TikTok, ByteDance reach $400 million settlement with US Justice Dept.
The Justice Department called it one of the largest amounts ever recovered for alleged COPPA violations.
The Justice Department called it one of the largest amounts ever recovered for alleged COPPA violations.
Colleges defend ‘content creator’ degree programs
Several universities are launching degree programs focused on content creation and social media careers, though some critics question the long-term professional value of these specialized majors.
Several universities are launching degree programs focused on content creation and social media careers, though some critics question the long-term professional value of these specialized majors.
Tampa police warning: Why back-to-school photo boards pose risks
As children across the Tampa Bay area head back to school this week, police are warning parents to think twice before posting those popular first-day-of-school photos on social media.
As children across the Tampa Bay area head back to school this week, police are warning parents to think twice before posting those popular first-day-of-school photos on social media.
Trump Media posts massive $238M loss, plans major business pivot
Trump Media & Technology, the company owned by President Donald Trump, posted a $238 million loss over the past three months, prompting the business to pivot to a new focus on users' social media use.
Trump Media & Technology, the company owned by President Donald Trump, posted a $238 million loss over the past three months, prompting the business to pivot to a new focus on users' social media use.
Myspace seeking a revival as its owners plan comeback effort for once-popular social media platform
Myspace could soon make a comeback after nearly two decades on the decline, as its owners seek a fresh start to compete with the current social media giants.
Myspace could soon make a comeback after nearly two decades on the decline, as its owners seek a fresh start to compete with the current social media giants.
Florida universities offer degree programs in social media influencing, branding
Some Florida universities are expanding their communications programs to offer courses and degrees focused on social media influencing.
Some Florida universities are expanding their communications programs to offer courses and degrees focused on social media influencing.
YouTube star MrBeast helps grant wish of Tampa Bay area boy battling cancer
An 11-year-old boy from the Tampa Bay area, who has spent the past year battling leukemia, recently got the surprise of a lifetime after meeting one of the world's biggest YouTube stars.
An 11-year-old boy from the Tampa Bay area, who has spent the past year battling leukemia, recently got the surprise of a lifetime after meeting one of the world's biggest YouTube stars.
TikTok influencer who accused estranged husband of pedophilia found dead in possible murder-suicide
TikTok influencer Sara Gilson, also known as Sara Duffey, posted weeks ago alleging that her husband was a pedophile. The estranged couple has since been found shot to death in the woman's Oklahoma home in what is reportedly believed to have been a murder-suicide.
TikTok influencer Sara Gilson, also known as Sara Duffey, posted weeks ago alleging that her husband was a pedophile. The estranged couple has since been found shot to death in the woman's Oklahoma home in what is reportedly believed to have been a murder-suicide.
Trump Media plans paid high-speed access to Truth Social posts
Trump Media plans to launch Truth PSI, a paid service that gives Wall Street firms and other institutional customers high-speed access to posts from top Truth Social accounts before they are widely distributed.
Trump Media plans to launch Truth PSI, a paid service that gives Wall Street firms and other institutional customers high-speed access to posts from top Truth Social accounts before they are widely distributed.