Social Media

The city's collaboration with the Valdosta State University communication department is geared toward increasing the city's online visibility and fostering more community involvement.

The popular social media app TikTok will be blocked on city of Raleigh-owned computers and cell phones over cybersecurity concerns starting on Feb. 14, as many other jurisdictions have done.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is moving forward on plans to ban state employees from using the popular video-sharing app TikTok, recently unveiling a statewide model security plan and objectives.

Congress is set to hear from TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew next month about the company’s data sharing relationship with the Chinese government. The situation underscores the overall lack of federal data privacy legislation.

Cases before the U.S. Supreme Court raise questions of whether social media companies do too much or too little in the way of moderating online content. The decisions could mean big changes for companies and users.

Amid a nationwide surge in drug overdoses caused by fentanyl and other synthetic opioids, private messaging platforms have made it harder for law enforcement to track sellers of deadly pills, one sheriff says.

The attention on TikTok underscores concerns in Congress that its parent, ByteDance Ltd., could share information with Chinese authorities. It’s also part of a broader bipartisan focus on ways the U.S. can counter China’s rising strategic influence.

The Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday unanimously approved a bill aimed at banning any technology or platform from state devices that could threaten cybersecurity. TikTok was the impetus for the legislation.

Social media use is linked to increases in depression, social isolation, low self-esteem and suicidal ideation. Bans won't stop students from using it, but they might get us thinking about what we need less of.

University of Texas at Austin blocked access to the social media app TikTok on its WiFi networks this week, and while some students found the move a little bit frivolous, others said they were OK or happy with it.

In a unanimous vote this week, Cleveland County commissioners opted to ban TikTok from all county-owned devices. The move closely follows a Dec. 8 executive order issued by Gov. Kevin Stitt.

TikTok videos documenting the recruiting process of fraternities and sororities have become a staple of Greek life on some college campuses, but this might not last if more states ban the China-based app.

Following Gov. Greg Abbott's order banning state employees from using TikTok on government-issued devices, more universities are taking action, citing fears that the Chinese government is harvesting customers' data.

State of Ohio employees are no longer allowed to download or use TikTok or a number of other Chinese-owned apps on state-owned devices for security reasons, under an executive order issued by Gov. Mike DeWine.

Across the country, health officials have been trying to combat misinformation and restore trust within their communities. Data suggests that the misinformation surrounding COVID-19 vaccines now threatens other public health priorities.

A bill signed Wednesday by Gov. Phil Murphy would require K-12 students to receive digital literacy training at all public schools. The move is part of an effort to combat online misinformation.

The app, which presents short-form videos in a frantic endless scroll, is governed by algorithms that deliver posts to those deemed likely to enjoy them, even as the app’s parent company continues to raise concerns.

Having already ordered the app purged from state devices and networks due to cybersecurity and surveillance concerns, Montana's Gov. Greg Gianforte is asking the Board of Regents to do the same for the state's universities.