Social media | Spark of Genius

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TikTok to ban beauty filters for teens

By Peter Schulte / December 2, 2024

In the coming weeks, under-18s using the massively popular social media platform will find themselves unable to access viral filters like ‘Bold Glamour’, which dramatically change their appearance. The beauty filter ban is a response to issues relating to body image and self-esteem among teens. ELLE Australia has previously reported that 60% of young people say social media made them feel “dissatisfied with their body”—a figure that has grown by 12% since 2022.

Australia passes social media ban for children under 16

By Peter Schulte / November 28, 2024

Australia has approved a social media ban for children aged under 16 after an emotive debate that has gripped the nation, setting a benchmark for jurisdictions around the world with one of the toughest regulations targeting Big Tech. The law forces tech giants from Instagram and Facebook owner Meta to TikTok to stop minors logging in or face fines of up to $32 million USD. A trial of methods to enforce it will start in January with the ban to take effect in a year.

New York passes laws protecting kids from addictive social media content

By Peter Schulte / June 8, 2024

New York state has taken novel legislative steps to limit children’s exposure to computer algorithmic social media feeds, passing two laws to protect children from social media content and to protect their privacy. The Stop Addictive Feeds Exploitation for Kids Act requires social media companies to restrict feeds for users under 18. The second law, the New York Child Data Protection Act, prohibits online sites from collecting, using, sharing, or selling personal data of anyone under the age of 18.

Facebook to stop targeting ads based on race, sexual orientation, and politics

By Peter Schulte / November 16, 2021

Facebook said it decided to make these changes to “address feedback from civil rights experts, policymakers, and other stakeholders on the importance of preventing advertisers from abusing the targeting options we make available.”

Growing list of major companies boycott Facebook ads over moderation practices

By Peter Schulte / June 26, 2020

Ben & Jerry’s, Eddie Bauer, Magnolia Pictures, the North Face, Patagonia, REI, Verizon, and more have boycotted Facebook advertisements as the company declined to take action against misinformation from President Trump — the same ones that Twitter flagged as misleading or glorifying violence.