Students in an introductory journalism course at the University of Kansas are working on group writing assignments focusing on technology regulation. The class, Media & Society, tackled various topics including ethical reporting and tech laws. The RESTRICT Act, signed by President Joe Biden, was a highlight, mandating TikTok’s divestiture. While California passed tech laws in 2024, the federal government has been slow to act, leaving industries lightly regulated.
Students proposed various laws, with children’s online safety being a top concern. Many groups focused on limiting access to harmful online content and proposed measures like age verification. State legislatures have also addressed this issue, with Kansas recently passing a law requiring age verification for pornography websites.
Despite some progress in state legislatures, students and parents are calling for more government action to protect children online. With the need for stronger interventions evident, the discussion on regulating technology to safeguard children’s online experiences is gaining momentum. Kansas legislators will likely face pressure to address this issue in the upcoming session.
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Photo credit kansasreflector.com
