Social Media

WhatMatters

Changing the world, one electric truck at a time

Now that California has opted to phase out diesel trucking, the state will find out in the years to come which was right: the aspirations of environmentalists or the warnings of the trucking industry.  On Friday the California Air Resources Board unanimously voted to ban the sale of new diesel big rigs, delivery and garbage […]

By Lynn La • May 1, 2023

WhatMatters

Will California join TikTok ban?

President Biden signed a law banning nearly 4 million federal employees from having TikTok on their government phones, over national security concerns. This week, New Jersey and Ohio joined at least 20 other states in restricting access to TikTok, amid fears that the Chinese government could use the app to spy on Americans.   Will California […]

By Sameea Kamal • January 12, 2023

Commentary

California is taking steps to combat disinformation. But everyone can do more

A new California law requires social media companies to disclose how they police hate speech and misinformation as efforts to increase media literacy in schools are underway.

By Guest Commentary • November 17, 2022

Economy

Lawmakers approve groundbreaking internet privacy law for kids

A first-in-in the nation bill that would protect kids’ privacy online passed out of the California Legislature. Here’s what it does, and what happens next.

By Grace Gedye • September 6, 2022

Capitol

Decision day: Which bills did California lawmakers kill?

On suspense file day, state legislators killed dozens of bills, including some controversial proposals on health care costs, social media regulation, pay transparency, climate change and much, more more.

By Ben Christopher • August 11, 2022

Commentary

California can end social media’s immoral ploys to keep children clicking

If Assembly Bill 2408 becomes law, it will hold accountable the largest social media giants that have played a leading role in the most acute and widespread youth mental health crisis experts have ever seen.

By Guest Commentary • August 8, 2022

WhatMatters

Capitol bracing for social media showdown

Sacramento is preparing for a showdown over how far the state should go in regulating social media companies that many blame for contributing to a national youth mental health crisis.  At the center of the controversy is a first-in-the-nation bill co-authored by Republican Assemblymember Jordan Cunningham of San Luis Obispo and Democratic Assemblymember Buffy Wicks […]

By Emily Hoeven • July 14, 2022

Commentary

Only safety standards will prod Big Tech into protecting children

The social media products children spend so much time with from the youngest of ages are not safe – by design.

By Guest Commentary • June 27, 2022

Commentary

Crimping free speech is the wrong way to rein in social media

Assembly Bill 2408 proposes to punish popular social media platforms for editorial content promotion decisions. But it violates fundamental rights and must not become law.

By Guest Commentary • May 3, 2022

Commentary

Hold social media companies to founding principles of free speech

New state Assembly bill would curb the ability of platforms to censor information.

By Guest Commentary • June 15, 2021