House approves bill to restrict delivery of material harmful to minors on platforms contracting with minors The House passed HB 134 on final passage after Representative Slagle said the bill would bar platforms that contract with minors from delivering material harmful to minors and give the attorney general authority to enforce violations; vote was 98–0.

House Bill 134 just passed unanimously, aiming to protect minors from harmful online content by holding platforms accountable!

Click to read more!

#LA #OnlineSafety #YouthProtection #CitizenPortal #LouisianaMinors

Instagram brings 13+ content ratings and Limited Content setting to India Instagram expanded its 13+ content rating and new Limited Content setting to India on April 9, 2026, tightening default protections for all users under 18.

FYI: Instagram brings 13+ content ratings and Limited Content setting to India #Instagram #ContentRatings #SocialMedia #OnlineSafety #YouthProtection

Instagram brings 13+ content ratings and Limited Content setting to India Instagram expanded its 13+ content rating and new Limited Content setting to India on April 9, 2026, tightening default protections for all users under 18.

FYI: Instagram brings 13+ content ratings and Limited Content setting to India #Instagram #ContentRatings #SocialMedia #OnlineSafety #YouthProtection

Yarmouth Board of Health outlines ‘nicotine‑free generation’ approach as Select Board hears business concerns Yarmouth’s Board of Health described a proposal to bar local nicotine sales to people born in or after a chosen year, saying the gradual, birth‑year cutoff would protect future generations. Residents and Select Board members warned of economic harm to small retailers and asked whether implementation should be delayed.

Yarmouth's Board of Health is proposing a groundbreaking "nicotine-free generation" policy that could reshape the future of tobacco sales, but local businesses are raising alarms about the potential economic fallout.

Learn more here!

#MA #YouthProtection #PublicHealth #LocalGovAI #YarmouthHealth

Santa Paula council hears hours of public testimony on cannabis ballot measure; motion to place measure fails 1–4 City staff outlined legal options and cost estimates for a possible November cannabis ballot measure; dozens of residents testified, mostly opposing retail stores over youth and public‑health concerns, and a council motion to place a measure on the ballot failed by a 1–4 roll-call vote.

The Santa Paula City Council's recent vote against a retail cannabis measure has ignited a fierce debate over youth safety and potential revenue, leaving many residents divided.

Read the full story

#SantaPaulaVenturaCounty #CA #YouthProtection #PublicHealth #CitizenPortal

Instagram brings 13+ content ratings and Limited Content setting to India Instagram expanded its 13+ content rating and new Limited Content setting to India on April 9, 2026, tightening default protections for all users under 18.

ICYMI: Instagram brings 13+ content ratings and Limited Content setting to India #Instagram #SocialMedia #ContentRatings #DigitalSafety #YouthProtection

Instagram brings 13+ content ratings and Limited Content setting to India Instagram expanded its 13+ content rating and new Limited Content setting to India on April 9, 2026, tightening default protections for all users under 18.

ICYMI: Instagram brings 13+ content ratings and Limited Content setting to India #Instagram #SocialMedia #ContentRatings #DigitalSafety #YouthProtection

Senate panel approves ban on hemp-derived THC beverages for under-21s The Senate Business and Insurance Committee approved House Bill 4248 as amended to prohibit sale, delivery or possession of hemp-derived beverages to anyone under 21, after sponsor Sen. Paxton warned vendors are adding concentrated THC to drinks that mimic energy beverages. Vote: 9-0.

Oklahoma's Senate just passed a bill to ban hemp-derived THC beverages for anyone under 21, as concerns rise over their potential dangers!

Get the details!

#OK #YouthProtection #PublicHealth #CitizenPortal #RegulatoryReform

Families and survivors urge ban on retail sales of nitrous oxide as committee considers HB 16‑30 Supporters, including the bill sponsor, law enforcement and people with lived experience, urged senators to criminalize retail sales of nitrous oxide for recreational use, describing easy availability at smoke shops and severe neurological and psychiatric harms; advocates urged liquor‑license enforcement and cited multistate activity on similar bills.

Families and survivors are rallying for a ban on retail sales of nitrous oxide, sharing heartbreaking stories of addiction and its devastating impact on youth.

Read the full story

#NH #YouthProtection #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #HealthRisks #NewHampshireFamilies

Medical Lake council hears public health testimony as staff prepares kratom ban ordinance At a workshop, staff and a Washington Poison Center pharmacist described health risks from unregulated kratom and synthetic alkaloids and council directed staff to draft ordinance language that would ban sale, distribution and advertising within city limits.

Medical Lake is taking a bold step towards public safety by proposing a ban on the sale of kratom products after alarming health testimonies revealed risks to children and vulnerable populations.

Read the full story.

#MedicalLakeSpokaneCounty #WA #YouthProtection #CitizenPortal

House committee advances bill extending NIL guardrails to high school athletes The House Education Committee on April 1 advanced HB 513 to codify name, image and likeness policies for intercollegiate and interscholastic athletes, including institutional policy requirements and guardrails for minors; supporters said it protects students while opponents urged robust enforcement of agent registration.

Louisiana is stepping up to protect student athletes by advancing a bill that sets clear guidelines for their name, image, and likeness rights—ensuring they won’t be exploited!

Click to read more!

#LA #SportsEthics #LouisianaStudentAthletes #YouthProtection #CitizenPortal #PolicyEnforcement

Indonesia blocks social media access for minors The Indonesian government has initiated a major campaign of regulations aimed at removing children under the age of 16 from social media platforms, representing one of the most intense government actions in the worldwide digital environment.

The Indonesian government has initiated a major campaign of regulations aimed at removing children under the age of 16 from social media platforms, representing one of the most intense government actions in… Bne IntelliNews #Indonesia #SocialMedia #DigitalRegulations #ChildSafety #YouthProtection

Committee advances vaping enforcement, inspection and fee changes after youth testimony The House Judiciary Committee favorably reported House Bill 782 with amendments to update definitions for vapor and alternative nicotine products, strengthen permitting and inspection authority for the Alcohol and Tobacco Control office, and adjust permit fees and penalties. A student witness urged stronger protections for youth.

House Bill 782 is taking a stand against youth vaping by tightening regulations and increasing penalties for sellers, all sparked by a powerful plea from a student urging lawmakers to act.

Learn more here

#LA #YouthProtection #PublicHealth #CitizenPortal #LouisianaYouth

Courts handling Child Welfare cases balance urgency with compassion. Every decision can shape a child’s future, making careful review and advocacy essential. ⚖️✨ #BestInterests #FamilyCourt #YouthProtection #ChildRights

Internet Watch Foundation: 260-Fold Rise in AI CSAM IWF reports a 260-fold surge in AI-generated CSAM and finds 1-in-17 youths experienced deepfake abuse (Apr 3, 2026), raising platform and regulatory risk.

Internet Watch Foundation: 260-Fold Rise in AI CSAM: IWF reports a 260-fold surge in AI-generated CSAM and finds 1-in-17 youths experienced deepfake abuse (Apr 3, 2026), raising platform and regulatory risk. 👈 Read full analysis #AI #CSAM #Deepfake #InternetSafety #YouthProtection

District explains GoGuardian monitoring, SUSO tip line and sextortion resources under Braden’s Law Rachel Martin described GoGuardian device monitoring (beacon and smart alerts), the SUSO tip line from the state Office of School Safety, and urged families on steps to take if a student is targeted by sextortion, citing Braden’s Law and reporting resources.

Monona Grove School District is taking a stand against online exploitation with innovative monitoring tools and vital resources for families, ensuring student safety is a top priority.

Learn more here!

#WI #YouthProtection #CitizenPortal #DigitalSafety #SextortionAwareness

Lawrence board issues progressive sanctions for Tavern on Merrimack after underage-drinking inspections Following police administrative inspections that identified dozens of underage patrons, the Lawrence Licensing Board adopted progressive penalties for Tavern on Merrimack: written warning (first), seven-day suspension (second), rollback hours to 11:30 p.m. through April 30 (third), and potential one-year closure for further violations.

The Lawrence Licensing Board has imposed strict penalties on Tavern on Merrimack after uncovering multiple instances of underage drinking, potentially leading to a year-long closure if violations continue.

Get the details!

#LawrenceCityEssexCounty #MA #YouthProtection #LawrenceTavern

Sen. Pat Brennan presses to cut proposed $1,000 clerk fine in nicotine bill; committee backs modest increase Sen. Pat Brennan secured agreement to reduce a proposed jump in clerk fines in S.498, reinstating subsequent-offense penalties while moving the first-offense fine to a more modest level (discussion centered on $100–$150). The committee reported the bill without recommendation and deferred appropriations and investigator funding.

Senator Pat Brennan is fighting to reduce a staggering proposed fine from $1,000 to a more manageable amount for clerks selling tobacco to minors, emphasizing the impact on small businesses and young workers.

Learn more here

#VT #YouthProtection #CitizenPortal #EconomicDevelopment

House advances bill to force age-estimation defaults and parental controls on large social platforms H 4591 would require major social platforms to use age-estimation signals and default child accounts to privacy-protective settings; sponsors say the measure targets platform conduct and provides private causes of action and AG enforcement under unfair-trade statutes.

The House has unanimously advanced a groundbreaking bill to protect children on social media by requiring platforms to estimate users' ages and implement parental controls.

Click to read more!

#SC #CivicAccountability #YouthProtection #CitizenPortal #DigitalPrivacy #SouthCarolinaSocialMedia

Implementation of 16-year-old age limit for social media account ownership as early as this June – Fahmi KUALA LUMPUR: The government will continue efforts to limit the opening of new social media accounts for children under 16 years of age, with implementation expected as early as the middle of this year, said Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil. He said the government would give social media platforms sufficient time to implement clean-up measures, including ensuring that no more minors registered new accounts or maintained existing accounts on their respective platforms. “We expect (the implementation of the 16-year-old age limit for social media use) to be by the end of June, if not earlier than that. (The implementation) is […]

Implementation of 16-year-old age limit for social media account ownership as early as this June – Fahmi #SocialMedia #AgeLimit #OnlineSafety #DigitalRights #YouthProtection

Landmark lawsuit finds that social media addiction is a feature, not a bug | The-14 Landmark lawsuit finds social media addiction is built into platform design, holding tech giants accountable for harms to users, mental health, and youth today.

Landmark lawsuit finds that social media addiction is a feature, not a bug
#SocialMedia #TechAccountability #BigTech #Meta #Media #YouTube #DigitalAddiction #MentalHealth #YouthProtection #Algorithm #TechEthics #DataEconomy #OnlineSafety #DigitalRights
the-14.com/landmark-law...

Substitute for bill on app age verification advances; sponsors propose age bands, OS‑level checks and parental control of 'age signals' The committee accepted substitute Bill 954‑7 as the working document; the substitute uses age bands (13–15, 16–17, 18+), requires operating‑system‑level age verification rather than app‑store checks, allows developers to supply a developer age signal when information conflicts, and requires parental consent to share age signals, sponsors said.

Ohio's Substitute Bill 954-7 is shaking up app age verification with tailored age bands and OS-level checks, paving the way for stronger parental controls!

Learn more here

#OH #YouthProtection #CitizenPortal #DigitalPrivacy #ParentalControl

Senate debate over kratom regulation stalls after lengthy floor exchange Senators spent hours debating a substitute for SB 16‑05 that would regulate kratom products and limit the synthetic compound 7‑OH to 1,000 parts per million; lawmakers agreed on labeling and age‑21 purchase limits but laid the bill over for further work rather than voting on final passage.

Missouri senators are locked in a heated debate over a proposed bill to regulate kratom and its synthetic compound 7‑OH, aiming to protect children while navigating complex public health concerns.

Get the details!

#MO #MissouriKratom #YouthProtection #PublicHealth #CitizenPortal

Committee advances 'Noah's Law' to increase penalties for adults who sell deadly synthetic opioids to minors The House Judiciary Committee gave SB 11-70 a do-pass recommendation after emotional family testimony and opposition from civil-rights advocates. The bill would trigger aggravated sentencing when an adult's drug sale to a minor is shown to have contributed to the minor's death and would classify certain cases as dangerous crimes against children.

Sen. Karen Warner is championing 'Noah's Law' to hold adults accountable for selling lethal synthetic opioids to minors, a response to the heartbreaking loss of her constituent's son.

Learn more here

#AZ #DrugPolicy #YouthProtection #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #ArizonaChildren

Arizona panel backs licensing, stiffer penalties for alternative nicotine products after divided testimony The Senate Regulatory Affairs Committee gave House Bill 4001 a do‑pass recommendation after testimony from retailers, health advocates and border‑security groups. The bill would require manufacturers and distributors of alternative nicotine products to be licensed, ban youth‑appealing marketing and raise penalties for sales to under‑21s; opponents warned of enforcement gaps without additional resources.

Arizona is taking a bold step towards regulating alternative nicotine products with House Bill 4001, aiming to protect youth and ensure supply chain transparency.

Learn more here!

#AZ #YouthProtection #PublicHealth #CitizenPortal #ArizonaAlternativeNicotine #RegulatoryReform

Committee advances bill to bar online nitrous‑oxide sales to minors and increase penalties for large sellers AB 2,076 would add nitrous oxide to the list of products requiring age verification under the Parents Accountability and Child Protection Act and raise penalties for large sellers who fail to verify age; authors cited public‑safety concerns and evidence of easy online access.

California's new bill aims to tackle the rampant online sales of nitrous oxide to minors, imposing hefty fines on large sellers who fail to verify age—are they ready to face the consequences?

Click to read more!

#CA #YouthProtection #OnlineSafety #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety

House approves tax change tied to heated tobacco products after floor debate over harm reduction The House approved Senate Bill 680, a measure tied to incentives for lower‑harm tobacco products. Sponsor Rep. Caldwell Trey argued the bill would encourage smokers to switch and cited international examples; colleagues pressed concerns about youth uptake and revenue losses. The bill passed on a recorded vote.

Oklahoma's House has passed a controversial bill aimed at reducing cigarette use by promoting heated tobacco products, but concerns about youth addiction and tax revenue loom large.

Click to read more!

#OK #YouthProtection #PublicHealth #CitizenPortal #RevenueStrategies

Committee approves bill to update child‑labor protections for online content creators HB 17‑23 would require recordkeeping for minors who create compensated video content, set aside a portion of earnings in trust for 14–17 year olds, allow those minors to request deletion of content, and require platforms to develop risk mitigation strategies; committee advanced the bill 18‑0.

Tennessee's House Bill 17-23 is transforming child labor protections for the digital age, ensuring minors can manage their earnings and reclaim their online image.

Click to read more!

#TN #YouthProtection #OnlineSafety #CitizenPortal #TennesseeChildLabor #DigitalRights

Supporters tell Senate panel raising age of consent to 18 would help prosecutors, investigators At a March 23 Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, law enforcement and victim-service providers urged passage of HB101 to add 16- and 17-year-olds to the definition of minors, saying it would give investigators and prosecutors new tools while likely producing only a small increase in cases in urban areas.

Alaska's Senate Judiciary Committee is considering a pivotal bill that could redefine the age of consent and strengthen protections for minors against exploitation.

Click to read more!

#AK #YouthProtection #CitizenPortal #CriminalLawReform #CommunityAccountability #AlaskaMinors

Australia gambling reform delay sparks youth harm fears Advocates warn delays in gambling reform in Australia expose youth to harm while advertising spreads across sports media platforms.

Pressure mounts as Australia delays gambling reform amid rising youth harm concerns #Technology #Business #Other #GamblingReform #YouthProtection #Australia

readwrite.com/alliance-australia-gambl...