Meta, YouTube increase online safety measures for youth 🛡

Tech giants like YouTube and Meta are stepping up to protect kids in the digital world. But what does this mean for parents and children?

New Safety Measures for Young Internet Users

Meta and YouTube are taking steps to make online spaces safer for kids. Here's what's happening:

Meta's Safety Curriculum

• Partnering with Childhelp to create online safety lessons

Teaching middle and high school students about:

• Recognizing online dangers

• Understanding digital scams

• Protecting personal information

• Identifying unsafe online situations

YouTube's Age Protection

• Using smart technology to estimate user ages

• Blocking inappropriate content for teens

• Limiting data collection for younger users

• Protecting kids from harmful recommended videos

Why Online Safety Matters

The internet can be exciting, but it also has risks. Cyberbullying, inappropriate content, and online predators are real concerns for parents and kids. Tips for Parents:

• Talk openly with your children about internet safety

• Set clear digital boundaries

• Know what apps and websites your kids use

• Teach critical thinking skills online

• Monitor online activities respectfully

Expert Insight

Vivek Murthy, former Surgeon General, emphasizes the importance of protecting kids' mental health online. He believes parents and tech companies must work together to create safe digital environments.

Bullet Points:

• YouTube and Meta have instigated new measures to enhance the online safety of younger users amid stalled federal legislation.

• Meta is collaborating with Childhelp to create an online safety curriculum tailored for middle schools.

• YouTube plans to employ machine learning to estimate user ages and thereby activate protection features for teens.

• Despite these pursuits, critics are skeptical, arguing for the necessity of federal regulations for ensuring online safety of youths.