Tech

Social Media Faces Lawsuits From Schools Over Mental Health Effects

Published

1 year ago

2023-01-11

SEATTLE, Wash. – The big U.S. social media firms, like the cigarette, oil, gun, opioid, and vape businesses before them, are now facing lawsuits launched by public agencies seeking to hold them accountable for a massive societal problem – in this case, the mental health crisis among youngsters.

However, the new cases — one filed by a public school district in Seattle last week, another by a suburban district on Monday, and almost definitely more to follow — face an uncertain legal path.

Next month, the United States Supreme Court will hear arguments on how federal law protects the computer industry from such claims when social media algorithms push potentially dangerous information.

Even if the Supreme Court grants permission for lawsuits like Seattle’s, the district faces difficulty showing the industry’s liability.

And the tech industry says there are many ways in which the effects of social media on teens’ mental health are different from, say, how big pharma promotes opioid addiction.

There Are Many Ways Social Media Effects Teens

“The fundamental premise is that the tech business is to blame for teens’ emotional state because they recommended content that has caused emotional injury,” vice president of tech industry trade organization NetChoice, said. “It would be ludicrous to sue Barnes & Noble because a staff member recommended a book that caused emotional harm or upset a youngster.” But that is precisely what this lawsuit does.”

Seattle Public Schools sued the digital titans behind TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and Snapchat on Friday, arguing they had created a public nuisance by marketing to youngsters. The Kent School District in the Seattle suburbs followed suit on Monday.

The districts blame the companies for mental health and behavioral disorders such as anxiety, depression, disordered eating, and cyberbullying, making it making difficult to educate students; and forcing schools to take steps such as hiring more mental health professionals, developing lesson plans about the effects of social media, and providing additional teacher training.

Unprecidented Life Challenges

“Young people everywhere — face unprecedented learning and life challenges that are exacerbated by the negative effects of increased screen time, potentially addictive social media properties,” Seattle Superintendent Brent Jones said in an emailed statement Tuesday. “We hope this action will help reverse this trend for our students.”

The Communications Decency Act of 1996 protects online businesses from being held responsible for what other people post on their platforms. But the complaints say that the rule, which was made before there were any social media platforms, doesn’t protect the tech giants in this case because their algorithms favor harmful information.

This is also the issue in Gonzalez v. Google, YouTube’s parent firm, which the Supreme Court will hear on February 21. In another instance, the family of an American lady slain in an Islamic State group attack in Paris in 2015 claims that YouTube’s algorithms helped the terror group recruit.

If the Supreme Court rules that digital corporations can be held accountable in such cases, school districts will still have to prove that social media was to blame. Seattle’s lawsuit says that between 2009 and 2019, the number of students who said they felt “so unhappy or hopeless almost every day for two weeks or more in a row” that they stopped doing some of their usual activities rose by 30%.

However, Szabo noted that Seattle’s graduation rates have been rising since 2019 when many youngsters relied on social media to stay in touch with their pals during the pandemic. He said that the number of people who graduate from high school would be going up if social media were so bad for the district’s educational efforts.

“The complaint focuses solely on how social media damages children, and there may be evidence of that,” said Eric Goldman, a law professor at Santa Clara University in Silicon Valley. “However, there is a lot of evidence that social media improves teenagers and other children. We don’t know what the distress rate would be like if social media didn’t exist. The distress rate might probably be higher rather than lower.”

Company’s Care About The Safety Of Its Users

The companies have said that they care about the safety of their users, especially children. They have tools that make it easier for parents to know who their children are talking to. They have also made it easier for people to find mental health resources on social media, like the new 988 crisis hotline. They have also made it easier to check a user’s age and set limits on how much time they can spend on their devices.

“When teens join Instagram, we immediately switch their profiles to private, and we send reminders encouraging them to take regular breaks,” Meta’s global head of safety, said “We do not allow content that promotes suicide, self-harm, or eating disorders, and we identify over 99% of the content we remove or take action on before it is reported to us.”

Frances Haugen, a Facebook whistleblower, released internal studies in 2021 that showed the company knew Instagram was bad for kids because it hurt their body image and made eating disorders and suicidal thoughts worse. She claimed the platform put profits ahead of safety and concealed its research from investors and the general public.

Josh Golin, the executive director of Fairplay, an organization that protects children from commercialization and marketing, says that even if social media helps some students, it doesn’t make up for the huge harm it does to many others.

“The mental health expenses to students are astronomical, as is the amount of time schools have to spend monitoring and responding to social media drama,” Golin added. “It is ludicrous that schools are liable for the devastation created by these social media sites to young people. Nobody is witnessing the kinds of cumulative effects that social media is having on school districts.”

Both claims were filed in the United States District Court, but they are based on state public nuisance law – a wide, ill-defined legal notion with origins dating back to 13th century England. In Washington, a public nuisance is “any illegal act and every failure to do a duty” that “annoys, hurts, or threatens the safety, health, comfort, or rest of a large number of people.”

Tabacco Industries Under Constant Fire

Most notably, public nuisance allegations aided the tobacco industry in reaching a $246 billion, 25-year settlement with the states in 1998. However, state, city, county, and tribal governments have used public nuisance legislation to hold oil firms accountable for climate change, the gun business for gun violence, the pharmaceutical sector for the opioid crisis, and vaping companies like Juul accountable for teen vaping.

The majority of the litigation is still continuing. Juul Labs agreed to resolve thousands of lawsuits, including 1,400 from school districts, towns, and counties, for an estimated $1.2 billion last month.

The Seattle lawsuit could lead to many changes, raising questions about whether it is right to solve big social problems in court instead of through laws. However, the school system faces little risk because the complaint was brought on a contingency basis, which means the company is only paid if the action is successful.

Jolina Cuaresma, senior counsel for privacy and technology policy at Common Sense Media, which works to make media safer for children, said she was pleased to see a school district file a public nuisance lawsuit against internet corporations.

“People have grown impatient of waiting for Congress to act,” she remarked.

SOURCE – (AP)

Tech

Nintendo Switch 2: Rumors, Release Date, Specs, Games, Price, and More in 2025

Published

8 hours ago

2024-04-24

Arsi Mughal

After seven years, 130 million systems, and over 1 billion games sold, Nintendo is apparently preparing to release new hardware. In this article, we’ll review everything we know about the Switch 2 (or whatever the next console is named) and guess at Nintendo’s next system.

It discusses the system’s likely form factor, the Switch 2’s release date, price, launch games, backward compatibility, and more. For the purpose of convenience, we’ll refer to the new system as the Switch 2, though based on Nintendo’s history, it’s probable that the console will be given a new, original moniker.

Some predict Nintendo to unveil and ship the Switch 2 around 2024, although a more recent source suggests that a 2025 release date is possible. The Switch, released in 2017, was a well-received and economically successful console, but fans are constantly looking for something fresh and exciting, and Nintendo is known for delivering.

In 2021, Nintendo executives stated that the Switch was in the middle of its lifetime. Well, it’s now 2024, and it’s reasonable to presume that the Switch has reached a later stage in its existence, possibly reaching the end. There are still a lot of unresolved questions about the Switch 2, but for now, here’s what we know.

Nintendo Switch 2’s rumored release date

We do not know for sure. The Switch debuted in March 2017, but there is no assurance that Nintendo will follow the same strategy with its next piece of hardware. The Wii and Wii U, for instance, were released in November.

One notion is that Nintendo would release the Switch 2 in the first half of 2024 to address any potential stock shortages before the crucial holiday shopping season when Nintendo wants to ensure adequate supply in the market.

Earlier this year, an official press release from GameShark’s most recent encounter revealed a September 2024 release date for the Switch 2. However, this is unlikely to be authentic.

According to one analyst, Switch 2 will come in 2024 with an 8-inch LCD panel, presumably a step down from the smaller OLED screen in the previous edition.

According to recent sources, Nintendo has postponed the debut of the Switch 2 until 2025. Following the revelation of these predictions, Nintendo’s stock price collapsed. Industry watchers observed that if true, it would present a “fairly devastating” picture for the gaming sector in 2024.

Switch 2: Potential Specifications

One of the most unknown aspects of Nintendo’s next piece of hardware is what it will be. According to former Nintendo employees, the new device would be similar in size to the Switch and may be used as a handheld or docked to a TV.

Nintendo has not revealed any details regarding its upcoming system, stating that it aims to “surprise and delight” people. For now, we can only speculate and make predictions.

According to Digital Foundry, the Switch 2 may employ Nvidia’s new custom version T239 CPU. The site built a PC based on what it thought the Switch 2’s specs will be and discovered that it could run Death Stranding at 1080p with an average frame rate of 35 fps.

Switch Two Games with Backward Compatibility

Nintendo is widely expected to develop a new Mario Kart game for their next home system; there are few safer bets in gaming. According to a report, Mario Kart 9 will include a “new twist,” which fans are excited to discover.

If a new Mario Kart game is in development, it would appear to be a good financial decision to make it the launch title for the next platform.

According to a 2023 rumor, several developers have already started developing games for the new Nintendo console, but no official announcements have been made yet.

Fans want to know if the next Nintendo console will accept Switch games. We do not know. However, Nintendo’s past statements regarding the Nintendo Account system transferring over to the next generation may indicate that the company plans to provide some kind of backward compatibility.

A former Nintendo employee believes the Switch 2 will be backward compatible with digital eShop games.

Keep checking back with GameSpot for more details on the next Nintendo console. We’ll update this story as new information becomes available.

Switch 2 Price.

Everything is conjecture at this point because the Switch 2 has not been released. One analyst predicts the Switch 2 will cost $400, with top-tier titles selling for $70. The original Switch cost $300, and its inexpensive pricing undoubtedly contributed to the system’s outstanding commercial performance.

It is unclear whether the next Nintendo system will have a single SKU or many variants at different price ranges.

The projection that game costs will rise to $70 is hardly surprising. After all, Nintendo already paid $70 for Tears of the Kingdom, which was a smash hit at that price point.

Nintendo stated that the current Switch game pricing was a one-time event. However, charging $70 for Switch 2 games would align with the pricing of top firms such as Microsoft, Sony, and third-party publishers.

Switch 2 News.

Nintendo’s earlier consoles featured separate account systems, and players had to create new accounts for future hardware releases. The new Nintendo Account could smooth the move to the next Nintendo console.

Additionally, it “allows us to communicate with our players if and when we make a transition to a new platform, to help ease that process or transition,” Doug Bowser, Nintendo’s CEO, stated.

“Our goal is to minimize the dip you typically see in the last year of one cycle and the beginning of another,” he said. “I can’t speak to the possible features of a new platform, but the Nintendo Account is a strong basis for having that communication as we make the transition.”

Nintendo CEO Shuntaro Furukawa stated in 2023 that the future console would have the same Nintendo Account system as the Switch, so Bowser’s suggestion is not surprising.

Yijia Zhai of Macquarie Group Ltd. told Bloomberg that the next Nintendo system will not be as successful as the Switch.

“We do not think the new console will be as successful as the Switch, and we see potential profit-taking after the announcement,” Zhai said, adding that Macquarie had lowered Nintendo’s stock analysis to “neutral.”

Meanwhile, Goldman Sachs analyst Minami Munakata predicted that the latest Nintendo hardware would not improve Nintendo’s total addressable market. However, the company isn’t committed to that idea and says its projection might change if the system “turns out to be new concept hardware rather than a successor along the same lines as the Nintendo Switch.”

A platform that isn’t as successful as the previous one may not convey the full story, and it’s not necessarily bad news for Nintendo. The Switch, of course, did extraordinarily well in terms of hardware and software sales. And this accomplishment is all the more evident given the Wii U’s poor performance.

Nintendo has not stated when it plans to introduce new hardware, but some speculate that an announcement could coincide with Nintendo’s fiscal schedule.

Nintendo’s new fiscal year begins on April 1, thus some are expecting an announcement shortly before then to assist boost the stock price and generate momentum for the following quarter. Nintendo’s stock recently hit a new high, and some analysts predict even better gains if the company does indeed announce new hardware shortly.

Tech

Top Free SEO Tools for Freelancers in 2024

Published

9 hours ago

2024-04-24

Arsi Mughal

Free SEO Tools for Freelancers: A freelancer must understand his or her market, competitors, and customers to consistently earn a sustainable income and maintain an edge in the race for freelance talent.

The competition is fierce, and the freelancer market is becoming saturated, making it more difficult to secure gigs and attract clients. With more than half of the U.S. workforce turning to side hustles as a primary or secondary source of income to help manage soaring living costs, there are approximately 1.57 billion freelancers worldwide.

Because of this, freelancers should have SEO tools in their toolkit to gather useful data that will assist them in making informed decisions.

Using this technology allows freelancers to identify new product or service ideas, assess search trends to identify new product or service ideas, and remain relevant in today’s conversations to keep their audience (for their brand) and customers engaged on social media and their websites daily.

Nevertheless, you decided to become a freelancer because you can barely make ends meet, and with the recent spike in mortgage prices, you are in a tough spot financially.

If you are starting and trying to launch your side hustle (or main hustle) with as little capital as possible, investing in comprehensive SEO packages such as Semrush may not be your first move.

It is good news that there are free SEO tools that can be just as effective, at least to begin with- depending on what they are being used for.

To begin with, what exactly is SEO, and why is it so important?

What Is SEO And How Does It Work?

SEO refers to ensuring your web pages and content are well-optimized for search engines, particularly the most popular ones, such as Google and Bing.

Once you learn how to use SEO effectively, you can position your brand in front of thousands, if not millions, of potential customers. Google dominates the search engine market, processing approximately 8.5 billion daily searches.

If you tap into this pool of potential leads, even if you have less than 1% of the market share, you can secure many high-paying gigs and projects as a freelancer.

Obtaining the coveted top spot in Google search results takes significant effort, but once you develop an SEO strategy and use tools to interpret the data and analytics behind it, you will see results.

These results can include:

An increase in website traffic – more clicks and visits that may result in paying customers
You will become more credible as a freelancer if you consistently rank well on search engines
Leads that are pre-qualified since they are people who are already interested in your products or services
The ability to compete with other freelancers and even companies
In comparison with paid advertising, it is cost-effective and sustainable over the long term

To optimize your SEO strategy as a freelancer, you need to understand who your target audience is, where they hang out, and what they search for. When you understand their needs, you will be better positioned to appear in their search results on Google or Etsy, for instance.

Free SEO Tools For Freelancers

The following 10 free SEO tools will provide you with useful insights as a freelancer by providing data, research, and analytics. These tools have all been ranked highly by tech review sites such as Trustpilot, Capterra, Product Review, G2, and others, and many offer forever free plans/features, free trials, and paid upgrade options. AI-enhanced features are also available in some cases.

Serpple
Google Trends
Google Search Console
Google Analytics
Similarweb
Rankwatch
EtsyHunt (for SEO research if you sell digital or physical products on Etsy)
Moz Keyword Explorer
Keyword Surfer (by Surfer)—free Chrome extension
Keysearch (has a collection of free SEO research tools for Etsy, Amazon, eBay, and others)

As with any new tool you use to grow or build a business venture, it is important to evaluate the pros and cons of each, experiment, and determine which tool is most effective.

You might decide to stick with one or use a combination of tools. What is most important is to remember that, ultimately, research of the customers you are serving is essential to being a successful freelancer. You won’t stand out if you cut corners here.

Computer

Cisco Systems Joins Microsoft, IBM In Vatican Pledge To Ensure Ethical Use And Development Of AI

Published

15 hours ago

2024-04-24

Kiara Grace

AP - VOR News Image

ROME — Cisco Systems, a prominent technology company, has recently joined Microsoft and IBM in endorsing a pledge initiated by the Vatican. This pledge aims to guarantee the ethical development and utilization of artificial intelligence for the betterment of society.

The Vatican said that Chuck Robbins, the CEO of Cisco Systems, had signed the Rome Call document and privately met with Pope Francis.

AP – VOR News Image

Cisco Systems Joins Microsoft, IBM In Vatican Pledge To Ensure Ethical Use And Development Of AI

The promise delineates fundamental principles for the ethical and conscientious utilization of AI. The statement underscores the importance of designing, utilizing, and overseeing AI systems in a manner that prioritizes and safeguards the dignity of all individuals without any form of discrimination and their surroundings. The document emphasizes the importance of transparency, inclusivity, responsibility, impartiality, and security in guiding all AI advancements.

AP – VOR News Image

Cisco Systems Joins Microsoft, IBM In Vatican Pledge To Ensure Ethical Use And Development Of AI

The document was revealed and officially endorsed during a Vatican meeting on February 28, 2020, shortly before Italy implemented strict measures due to the COVID-19 epidemic. The document’s signatories were Brad Smith from Microsoft and John Kelly III from IBM. Universities, United Nations agencies, private enterprises, and nongovernmental organizations have also agreed to participate.

Francis has advocated for an international agreement to guarantee AI’s ethical development and utilization, dedicating his yearly peace message to this subject.

Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, the president of the Pontifical Academy for Life, who is spearheading the AI program, approved of Cisco’s involvement. He mentioned the IT company’s proficiency in “infrastructure, security, and safeguarding of AI data and systems.”

AP – VOR News Image

Cisco Systems Joins Microsoft, IBM In Vatican Pledge To Ensure Ethical Use And Development Of AI

The global spotlight has been directed towards artificial intelligence due to the remarkable progress made by state-of-the-art systems such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT. These systems have impressed users with their capacity to generate text, photographs, and melodies that closely resemble human creations. However, the advancement of technology has also sparked concerns regarding the potential hazards it presents to employment, privacy, copyright infringement, and even human existence.

SOURCE – (AP)