Minors

Federal Judge Upholds Utah’s Social Media Laws Aimed to Protect Minors, Dismisses Tech Group’s First Amendment Claim

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SALT LAKE CITY — A pivotal lawsuit aimed at challenging Utah’s regulations on social media usage among minors faced a recent setback when a federal judge upheld the state’s rights over certain platform functionalities. These regulations, which restrict features like autoplay and infinite scrolling for minor-owned accounts, were defended as necessary protections against the potential harms of social media on youth. On Monday, U.S. District Judge Robert J. Shelby dismissed a key claim by NetChoice, a tech industry group representing major platforms such as YouTube and Facebook. NetChoice had contested that Utah’s rules were preempted … Read more

Florida Unveils Rules for Enforcing New Law to Protect Minors on Social Media and Online Platforms

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Tallahassee, FL – Florida is set to enforce a groundbreaking law beginning January 1 that aims to safeguard minors from the potential hazards of social media and online pornography, despite looming First Amendment challenges and industry pushback. Attorney General Ashley Moody unveiled three proposed rules Tuesday that detail the enforcement mechanisms, particularly focusing on age verification measures. House Speaker Paul Renner, R-Palm Coast, championed the legislation during the recent legislative session, emphasizing the psychological and social dangers he believes social media poses to children. However, technology industry groups have protested, arguing the law infringes on … Read more

Settlement Reached in 2020 Lawsuit Accusing Gateway Church of Failing to Report Minor’s Sexual Assault at Volunteer’s Home

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Southlake, Texas – A 2020 lawsuit alleging mishandling of a minor’s sexual assault claim at a church-affiliated sleepover resulted in an out-of-court settlement earlier this year, according to Tarrant County court records. Gateway Church was sued by a former member who claimed church leaders failed to report her daughter’s assault during the 2018 incident properly. The suit claimed the girl, then age 11, was assaulted by the minor son of the couple hosting the sleepover, who were volunteers at Gateway Church. Allegations suggested that church officials learned of the incident but struggled to handle it … Read more

Cracking Down on Online Exploitation: Law Enforcement’s Tireless Battle to Safeguard Minors

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Bakersfield, California – Law enforcement in Bakersfield has intensified efforts to safeguard minors from the dangers of online exploitation. With the rapid growth of internet usage among young people, the need to combat this issue and protect vulnerable individuals has become paramount. Online exploitation poses a significant threat to minors, as predators and criminals leverage digital platforms to target and exploit them. Recognizing this concern, law enforcement agencies in Bakersfield are working tirelessly to stay ahead of these online offenders. Efforts to combat online exploitation involve multiple tactics. Law enforcement has increased monitoring of social … Read more