child safety
49 stories related to this topic, newest first.
Parent Describes Using AirTag on Child's Bike and Subsequent Reaction
A parent placed an AirTag on an 8-year-old's bicycle to monitor location. The child discovered the device and expressed feeling betrayed. The parent concluded that undisclosed tracking damaged trust.
bbc.co.uk12-Year-Old Boy Named as Child Who Died in River Ribble
Police have identified the child who died after entering the River Ribble at Ribchester, Lancashire, as 12-year-old Junior Slater. The incident occurred when the boy got into difficulty in the water.
EuronewsUK Police Chiefs Call for Age Limits on Social Media Features
The National Police Chiefs’ Council and National Crime Agency urged restrictions on private messaging and other features for users under 16. The agencies responded to a government consultation on social media access for minors.
nationalpost.comTexas Attorney General Sues Discord Over Child Safety Practices
Texas filed a lawsuit against Discord on May 22, 2026, alleging the platform failed to protect minors from sexual abuse. The suit seeks court-ordered changes to age verification and safety settings. Discord stated its systems combine technology and human review to address harmful…
EngadgetMalaysia to Require Age Verification on Social Media Platforms Starting June 1
Malaysia will require social media platforms to implement age verification systems beginning June 1 to prevent users under 16 from accessing services. The rules were approved by the cabinet in November 2025.
The IndependentBritish police agencies back social media ban for under-16s
Britain's National Crime Agency and National Police Chiefs' Council have called for a ban on social media for children under 16 unless platforms change high-risk features. The agencies made the statement ahead of the close of a government consultation on the issue.
newsone.comAlabama Man Charged With Manslaughter After 1-Year-Old Found Dead in Vehicle
An Alabama man faces manslaughter charges after authorities found his 1-year-old child dead in a vehicle. The father had been caring for the infant and admitted to drinking throughout the day.
yahoo.comGroups advise schools to remove student photos over AI photo alteration
Groups have warned schools against posting photos of children following reports of AI being used to alter images for blackmail. The practice has occurred several times in the U.S.
nypost.comLos Angeles County Medical Examiner Identifies Cause of Death for 12-Year-Old Girl
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner announced Tuesday that a 12-year-old girl died from a rare birth condition involving fragile blood vessels in the brain. The announcement followed an initial investigation into the circumstances of her death.
insurancejournal.comAustralian Regulators Recall Metallic Cake Decorating Powders After Toddler Inhales Product
A 14-month-old boy was hospitalized after inhaling metallic cake decorating powder that turned into a paste in his lungs. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has ordered a national recall of the product line sold since 2019.
flipboard.comSenate Judiciary Committee Advances Bill Restricting AI Chatbots for Minors
The Senate Judiciary Committee approved legislation that would bar companies from providing AI companion chatbots to users under 18. The measure requires age verification and prohibits chatbots from generating explicit content or encouraging self-harm.
ReasonBritish Government Considers Age Verification Law for Online Services
The British government is reviewing a proposal that would impose internet curfews for younger users and age checks across games, VPNs, and websites. Privacy groups and technology companies have raised concerns about effects on anonymity and data security.
New York PostTexas Toddler Dies After Antique Dresser Falls on Her
A 2-year-old girl in Denton, Texas, was killed when an unsecured antique dresser toppled onto her while she climbed it to reach a toy. Her mother later shared the story to warn other parents about securing furniture.
flipboard.comSenate Judiciary Committee to Hold June Hearing With Tech CEOs on Child Online Safety
Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley announced a June 23 hearing that will call four technology company CEOs to testify on platform safety for children. The session follows recent court rulings that held social media companies liable for harms to young users. Grassley is seek…
jpost.comFormer Machias Man Pleads Guilty to Possessing Child Pornography
Ryan Gatcomb entered a guilty plea in U.S. District Court in Maine for possessing images and videos of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. The conviction triggers mandatory sex-offender registration and federal sentencing proceedings that will determine prison time and p…
nypost.comNorth Carolina Woman Receives 21-Year Sentence for Producing Child Sexual Abuse Material
A federal judge sentenced a North Carolina woman to 21 years and 10 months in prison after she admitted to producing child sexual abuse material involving a minor she knew. The conviction triggers mandatory sex offender registration and restitution requirements that will remain i…
bbc.co.ukParents Group Sues Meta and TikTok in Milan Court Over Minors' Social Media Use
A parents' group is facing Meta and TikTok in a Milan court hearing over concerns about minors' use of social media platforms. The case centers on potential harms to children from platform features and content. The proceedings are the latest in global debates about regulating chi…
betakit.comTech Companies Partner With Sesame Street and Girl Scouts on Children's Online Safety
Technology companies are working with Sesame Workshop and the Girl Scouts on initiatives aimed at addressing concerns about children's screen time and online safety. The partnerships include educational programs and new tools to help families manage device usage. Reuters reported…
New York PostMeta and Google Fund Sesame Street, Girl Scouts and Highlights to Teach Kids Digital Moderation and Safety
The tech companies provided tens of millions of dollars to children's organizations that reached hundreds of thousands of kids and parents with lessons on personal responsibility and screen time. Reuters reviewed internal documents showing Meta's strategy began several years ago…
yahoo.comStark County man gets 20 years for child sexual abuse material offenses
A previously convicted sex offender from Stark County, Ohio, received a 20-year federal prison sentence after pleading guilty to child pornography charges. The term adds to his prior state sex-offense record and triggers mandatory sex-offender registration and supervision require…
yahoo.comNorth Carolina Man Receives 27 Years for Producing and Transporting Child Sexual Abuse Material
A federal judge sentenced Justin Dean Rose, 36, of Conover, North Carolina, to 27 years in prison after he admitted to producing and transporting child sexual abuse material between 2020 and 2022. The sentence triggers mandatory sex offender registration and supervision requireme…
foxnews.comChesapeake man gets 17 years for traveling to Philippines to have sex with minor
Dylan Joseph Knauer, 32, of Chesapeake, Virginia, received a 17-year prison sentence after traveling to the Philippines to engage in sex with a minor. The case triggers mandatory sex-offender registration and supervision requirements upon release that will restrict Knauer's movem…
usatoday.comFormer Gymnastics Coach Pleads Guilty to Production of Child Sexual Abuse Material
James Michael Newman, 56, of Clinton, Mississippi, entered a guilty plea in federal court to one count of production of child sexual abuse material. The conviction triggers a mandatory minimum 15-year prison sentence and requires him to register as a sex offender upon release.
deccanchronicle.comStudy Estimates 7 Million U.S. Children Live in Homes With Unlocked, Loaded Firearms
A JAMA Network Open study published Tuesday estimates 32 million children live in homes with firearms, including nearly 7 million in households with at least one gun that is unlocked and loaded. Lead author Matthew Miller said safe storage reduces firearm suicide risk by threefol…
foxnews.comTennessee Man Receives 65 Months for Transporting Child Sexual Abuse Material
Matthew Leach, 41, of Tennessee, received a 65-month federal prison sentence after pleading guilty to transporting and possessing child sexual abuse material. The sentence triggers mandatory forfeiture of the cellphone used in the offenses and sets in motion standard federal supe…
nypost.comKent Washington Man Indicted on Seven Counts for Production and Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material
A 32-year-old Kent resident was arraigned in U.S. District Court in Seattle on charges that he produced and possessed child sexual abuse material after attempting to entice a young girl to send him sexually explicit images. The indictment initiates federal prosecution that carrie…
flowingdata.comHalf of UK Children Own AI Toys, Survey Finds
A survey by the British Standards Institution found that 50 per cent of children aged 16 and under in the UK own at least one AI-enabled toy or device. Nearly half of parents believe their children would be better off without AI access, and most expressed concerns about data risk…
wral.comGrant County Man Sentenced to 22 Years for Attempted Enticement of Minor and Distribution of Child Sexual Abuse Material
A federal judge in the Eastern District of Kentucky sentenced Grant County resident Christopher L. Feck to 264 months in prison after he pleaded guilty to attempted enticement of a minor and distribution of child sexual abuse material. The conviction triggers mandatory sex offend…
BBC NewsInstagram Ends Optional End-to-End Encryption for Direct Messages
Meta switched off the feature on 8 May 2026 after updating its terms in March, citing low user opt-in rates. The reversal ends a 2019 pledge by the company to expand encryption across its messaging services. Child protection groups welcomed the move while privacy advocates expres…
foxnews.comFolsom Man Pleads Guilty to Receipt of Child Sexual Abuse Material
Paul Joseph Richards, 51, of Folsom, entered a guilty plea in federal court on May 7, 2026. The conviction triggers mandatory federal sentencing proceedings that will set a precedent for similar receipt cases in the Eastern District of California.
nbcnews.comRegistered Sex Offender Arrested in Boston on Child Pornography Charges
A registered sex offender faces federal charges for possession of child sexual abuse material following an arrest in Massachusetts. The case triggers mandatory minimum sentencing reviews and renewed compliance checks on the national sex offender registry.
bbc.co.ukEngland Considers Requiring CCTV in Nurseries After Child Deaths
Ministers in England have asked experts whether CCTV should be required in all nurseries following several high-profile cases of child abuse and deaths. Two infants died in 2022 despite the presence of CCTV at their nurseries, which later provided evidence used in prosecutions.
680news.comLewiston man charged with enticement of 13-year-old girl
CJ A. Wolf of Lewiston, New York, faces a federal criminal complaint in the Western District of New York for enticement of a minor after authorities say he attempted to have sex with a 13-year-old girl. The charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a m…
New York PostNew Mexico Sues Meta Seeking $3.7 Billion in Penalties and Platform Changes
New Mexico's attorney general is seeking extensive reforms to Facebook and Instagram along with up to $3.7 billion in penalties following a jury's finding that Meta failed to protect children from sexual predators. A judge warned that some proposed fixes might exceed what is appr…
westernjournal.comVirginia Prosecutors Charge 15 in Child Exploitation Crackdown
Federal prosecutors in Virginia's Eastern District filed charges in 15 child exploitation cases last month under a national DOJ program. The actions target online predators and distributors of illegal material, advancing enforcement against child abuse networks.
RapplerNew Mexico Jury Finds Meta Misrepresented Platform Safety for Children
A New Mexico judge expressed concerns that proposed safety changes for Instagram and Facebook may exceed judicial authority in an ongoing trial. The state seeks extensive reforms and up to $3.7 billion in penalties after a jury found Meta failed to protect children. Meta argues t…
petapixel.comNew Mexico Trial Begins to Determine Remedies After $375 Million Meta Child Safety Verdict
New Mexico's attorney general is pushing for operational changes to Meta's platforms following a $375 million jury award in a child safety case. The three-week trial begins Monday in Santa Fe, focusing on measures like age verification and limits on encryption for minors. The Ver…
The Boston GlobeNew Mexico Prosecutors Seek Child Safety Changes to Meta Platforms in Trial's Second Phase
New Mexico state prosecutors are pursuing changes to Meta's social media apps and algorithms to protect children in the second phase of a trial. The case follows a jury's decision to impose $375 million in penalties on Meta for harming children's mental health and concealing expl…
videocardz.comRoblox Stock Falls 18% After Q1 Earnings Report
Roblox shares dropped sharply after the company reported first-quarter results that beat revenue estimates but missed user growth expectations. The gaming platform slashed its full-year sales and bookings forecasts, citing friction from new age verification measures. CEO David Ba…
CnbcMan Arrested in Northern Territory Child's Death; U.S. Non-Homeowners' 5-Year Homebuying Expectations Fall to 2013 Low
Northern Territory authorities expect charges soon in the death of five-year-old Kumanjayi Little Baby, found after a five-day search in Alice Springs. Separately, U.S. polling shows declining expectations for homeownership amid economic pressures, while safety advocates highligh…
Substrate placeholder — needs reviewLawsuit Accuses Roblox, Discord, and Uber of Failing to Prevent Abduction and Assault of Teen
A 19-year-old woman has filed a lawsuit against Roblox, Discord, and Uber, alleging the companies failed to address warnings about a user's predatory behavior. The suit claims the user arranged an off-platform Uber ride to transport her from Indiana to New Jersey, where she was c…
wealthmanagement.comMassachusetts US Attorney Schedules Webinar on Child Online Safety
The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts will host a virtual webinar on May 7, 2026, covering online threats to children. The session offers expert presentations and resources to help parents and guardians address risks from social media, gaming, and…
NprEU Commission Releases Preliminary Findings on Meta's Alleged DSA Violations Regarding Child Access to Facebook and Instagram
The European Commission announced on April 29, 2026, that Meta breached the EU's Digital Services Act by failing to prevent children under 13 from accessing Facebook and Instagram. The findings highlight ineffective age verification and reporting tools. Meta disagrees and plans t…
Substrate placeholder — needs reviewEU Accuses Meta of Breaching Law on Under-13 Access to Platforms
The European Commission has issued preliminary findings that Meta lacks effective measures to prevent children under 13 from accessing Facebook and Instagram, violating the Digital Services Act. Meta disputes the findings and highlights its existing tools for age verification. If…
Substrate placeholder — needs reviewElizabeth Smart Shares Photo from Fourth Bodybuilding Competition on Instagram
Kidnapping survivor Elizabeth Smart posted an image from her recent bodybuilding competition, expressing pride in her body's resilience. She highlighted her journey as an advocate and mother. The post encourages embracing new challenges.
Substrate placeholder — needs reviewInquiry Finds Parents and Agencies Failed to Prevent Southport Stabbing Attack
A public inquiry concluded that failures by the parents of Axel Rudakubana and multiple agencies allowed the 2024 Southport attack to occur. The report identified missed opportunities to detain Rudakubana before he killed three girls at a dance class. Recommendations include impr…
agriculture.einnews.comMontessori School Toddlers Lose Access to Local Community Garden
Toddlers from Elite Minds Montessori have been denied access to a local community garden. The garden's caretakers described the children as a liability. The situation affects dozens of young students who previously used the space.
Substrate placeholder — needs reviewParent Allows 8-Year-Old Son to Bike with Friends for Independence
A parent began permitting their 8-year-old son to bike around the neighborhood with friends despite safety concerns. This decision aims to foster confidence and independence in children. The experience has also strengthened family bonds.
Substrate placeholder — needs reviewOver 350,000 Iron-Containing Supplements Recalled Due to Missing Child-Resistant Caps
The Consumer Product Safety Commission announced a recall of more than 350,000 units of vitamins and dietary supplements manufactured by Vitaquest International. The products lack child-resistant safety caps, violating the federal Poison Prevention Packaging Act. Consumers can ob…