WEATHER ALERT
Lawsuit filed over Florida bill that bans children under 14 from having social media accounts
Read full article: Lawsuit filed over Florida bill that bans children under 14 from having social media accountsThe Computer & Communications Industry Association announced that they have filed a lawsuit that challenges the constitutionality of Florida’s HB3, the law that bans children under 14 from having social media accounts.
Florida aims to keep children off social media, away from online porn
Read full article: Florida aims to keep children off social media, away from online pornFacing potential First Amendment challenges, Florida has proposed details about how it will carry out a new law aimed at keeping children off social-media platforms and blocking minors from accessing online pornography.
The Supreme Court casts doubt on Florida and Texas laws to regulate social media platforms
Read full article: The Supreme Court casts doubt on Florida and Texas laws to regulate social media platformsThe Supreme Court is keeping a hold on efforts in Texas and Florida to limit how Facebook, TikTok, X, YouTube and other social media platforms regulate content posted by their users.
Orlando Health psychiatrist discusses impacts of social media on children
Read full article: Orlando Health psychiatrist discusses impacts of social media on childrenToday's students are more tech savvy than ever, but with those skills also come some challenges they may not be developmentally ready for, like the risks involved with using social media.
Soto ‘hopeful’ 2024 SHIELD Act will be included in internet privacy bill
Read full article: Soto ‘hopeful’ 2024 SHIELD Act will be included in internet privacy billThe 2024 SHIELD Act, designed to protect every American’s reputation on the internet and social media platforms, could become part of the comprehensive privacy bill as early as July.
Updated SHIELD Act hits US House subcommittee, fights identity theft online
Read full article: Updated SHIELD Act hits US House subcommittee, fights identity theft onlineFlorida Congressman Darren Soto, D-Kissimmee, presented “updated talking points” to the Innovation, Data and Commerce Subcommittee on Capitol Hill Thursday that brings the proposed SHIELD Act closer to a full congressional vote.
Proposed SHIELD Act for identity theft victims hits Congress after News 6 investigation
Read full article: Proposed SHIELD Act for identity theft victims hits Congress after News 6 investigationFlorida Congressman Darren Soto, D-Kissmmee, presented legislation to a subcommittee on Capitol Hill Wednesday that would penalize identity imposters and provide “legal remedies " for anyone whose identities are “used online without their consent.”
TikTok content creators sue the US government over law that could ban the popular platform
Read full article: TikTok content creators sue the US government over law that could ban the popular platformEight TikTok content creators have sued the U.S. over the new federal law that would could ban the social media platform nationwide.
Central Florida couple falls victim to ‘puppies for sale’ scheme
Read full article: Central Florida couple falls victim to ‘puppies for sale’ schemeWhen Jo and Jerry Hatley‘s dog passed away, they wanted to fill the void with a new puppy. As luck would have it, the couple found two puppies offered on Facebook, yet the ensuing 4-hour drive to pick them up would only end in heartbreak.
News 6 investigation prompts call to modernize the Communications Decency Act. Here are the details
Read full article: News 6 investigation prompts call to modernize the Communications Decency Act. Here are the detailsThe challenge to protect reputations from imposters on the internet and social media platforms has prompted a call to revamp the 1996 Communications Decency Act.
UCF student says name ‘tarnished’ by racial slurs posted by imposter on X
Read full article: UCF student says name ‘tarnished’ by racial slurs posted by imposter on XA 5-year student at the University of Central Florida told News 6 his reputation was ruined after racial slurs linked to his name went viral reaching “about 1 million people.”
Don’t click the link: Social media message led to phone hack, $700 stolen, woman says
Read full article: Don’t click the link: Social media message led to phone hack, $700 stolen, woman saysAn Orlando woman says she lost hundreds of dollars when she clicked a link she got on Facebook messenger, and her friend did too, she says.
Florida Senate passes new social media bill with parent permission provision
Read full article: Florida Senate passes new social media bill with parent permission provisionA new version of the measure to force children off social media passed the Florida Senate Monday, setting up a final vote in the Florida House before the end of the legislative session this week.
Florida Gov. DeSantis vetoes social media ban on children under 16, pledges ‘a different, superior bill’
Read full article: Florida Gov. DeSantis vetoes social media ban on children under 16, pledges ‘a different, superior bill’Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has vetoed what would have been one of the most far-reaching social media bans for minors.
Renner, DeSantis near deal on Florida's social media bill, Senate president says
Read full article: Renner, DeSantis near deal on Florida's social media bill, Senate president saysWith a Friday deadline looming, House Speaker Paul Renner said Wednesday that he and Gov. Ron DeSantis are trying to work out differences on a bill aimed at keeping children under age 16 off social-media platforms.
Florida school district sue social media platforms, say they ‘put profits over children’s mental health’
Read full article: Florida school district sue social media platforms, say they ‘put profits over children’s mental health’A Central Florida school district is suing several social media companies, accusing them of creating a mental health crisis in children that the district now has to spend money to handle.
Florida senators combine social media ban, age-verification bill
Read full article: Florida senators combine social media ban, age-verification billA Florida Senate panel on Thursday revamped a bill aimed at keeping children under age 16 off social media, as a debate continued about the proposal’s constitutionality and whether it would infringe on parental rights.
‘It is public information after all:’ UCF student tracking Taylor Swift’s jet responds to threat of legal action
Read full article: ‘It is public information after all:’ UCF student tracking Taylor Swift’s jet responds to threat of legal actionJack Sweeney, the University of Central Florida student tracking Taylor Swift’s jet and the plans of other celebrities, released a statement after the uber-popular pop star threatened legal action against him.
Meta says it will label AI-generated images on Facebook and Instagram
Read full article: Meta says it will label AI-generated images on Facebook and InstagramFacebook and Instagram users will start seeing made-by-AI labels on deepfake images that appear on their social media feeds, part of a broader tech industry initiative to sort between what’s real and not.
Meta, TikTok, other social media CEOs to testify before Senate committee on child exploitation
Read full article: Meta, TikTok, other social media CEOs to testify before Senate committee on child exploitationSexual predators. Addictive features. Self-harm and eating disorders. Unrealistic beauty standards. Bullying. These are just some of the issues young people are dealing with on social media — and children’s advocates and lawmakers say companies are not doing enough to protect them.
As Florida Senate moves on social media ban, Instagram issues new teen restrictions
Read full article: As Florida Senate moves on social media ban, Instagram issues new teen restrictionsA bill banning social media for Florida children under 16 will be heard in the Florida Senate, according to the chamber’s president.
Your Florida Daily: Rural residents fight off mega housing project, lawmakers consider social media ban for kids
Read full article: Your Florida Daily: Rural residents fight off mega housing project, lawmakers consider social media ban for kidsMore than 100 passionate speakers who live east of UCF near Lake Pickett implored commissioners to vote down the project.
Florida House bill restricting teens on social media heads for final vote Wednesday
Read full article: Florida House bill restricting teens on social media heads for final vote WednesdayA bill that would restrict Florida teens from using social media appeared headed for passage in the Florida House after a second reading of the bill on Tuesday.
Florida House ready to OK social media restrictions for minors
Read full article: Florida House ready to OK social media restrictions for minorsThe Florida House is poised to pass a bill aimed at preventing children under age 16 from using social media, as parts of the tech industry argue the measure could be unconstitutional and create data privacy concerns.
Florida congressman developing amendments to protect reputations on social media
Read full article: Florida congressman developing amendments to protect reputations on social mediaAn Orlando-area congressman is taking action after a student at the University of Central Florida told News 6 his reputation was ruined after racial slurs linked to his name went viral, reaching “about 1 million people.”
UCF student says name ‘tarnished’ by racial slurs posted by imposter on X
Read full article: UCF student says name ‘tarnished’ by racial slurs posted by imposter on XA 5-year student at the University of Central Florida told News 6 his reputation was ruined after racial slurs linked to his name went viral reaching “about 1 million people.”
Experts say social media impacts children’s mental health, can lead to suicide
Read full article: Experts say social media impacts children’s mental health, can lead to suicideUnited States Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy issued an advisory on social media and youth mental health, noting that social media can pose risk of harm to the mental health and well-being of children.
The Snapchat AI feature makes me want to delete the app
Read full article: The Snapchat AI feature makes me want to delete the appI’m very much aware that I have no control over the decisions social media apps and organizations make, but it would have been nice to know that a strange little AI bot was going to show up as a Snapchat friend.
DeSantis shelves cellphones, TikTok in schools
Read full article: DeSantis shelves cellphones, TikTok in schoolsSaying that social media does “more harm than good,” Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday signed education changes that include prohibiting students from using cell phones during class time and curtailing use of the social-media platform TikTok on school grounds.
Oviedo police see increase in ‘sextortion’ scam targeting Instagram users
Read full article: Oviedo police see increase in ‘sextortion’ scam targeting Instagram usersThe Oviedo Police Department is warning residents about an increase in fake Instagram accounts blackmailing users in ‘sextortion’ attempts.
Introducing My AI: Snapchat announces addition of new customizable chatbot
Read full article: Introducing My AI: Snapchat announces addition of new customizable chatbotThe company behind the popular social media app Snapchat announced the addition of a customizable My AI chatbot on Wednesday, according to CNN.
Florida teacher accused of using students as ‘political props’ will keep job, school board says
Read full article: Florida teacher accused of using students as ‘political props’ will keep job, school board saysA Central Florida middle school teacher suspended earlier this year, accused by his school district of using students as ‘political props’ in TikTok skits referencing current events, will not be fired after all.
Seattle schools sue tech giants over social media harm
Read full article: Seattle schools sue tech giants over social media harmThe public school district in Seattle is suing the tech giants behind TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and Snapchat, seeking to hold them accountable for the mental health crisis among youth.
Florida lawmaker’s new bill would require social media safety guidance in public schools
Read full article: Florida lawmaker’s new bill would require social media safety guidance in public schoolsFlorida Sen. Danny Burgess, R-District 23, filed a bill that would require teachers in public schools to provide instruction on social media safety.
Sen. Marco Rubio moves to ban Tiktok in the US with bipartisan bill
Read full article: Sen. Marco Rubio moves to ban Tiktok in the US with bipartisan billA bill unveiled by Sen. Marco Rubio Tuesday targets Tiktok as it moves to restrict social media companies with ties to China and other foreign countries of concern.
News 6′s Matt Austin talks to ‘Monsters in the Morning’ about viral video in defense of his daughters
Read full article: News 6′s Matt Austin talks to ‘Monsters in the Morning’ about viral video in defense of his daughtersNews 6 anchor Matt Austin appeared on the popular Orlando radio show "The Monsters in the Morning" on Wednesday to discuss his viral video in defense of his daughters that has grabbed headlines from across the world.
‘Always gonna have their back:’ News 6′s Matt Austin discusses viral video defending daughters on Inside Edition
Read full article: ‘Always gonna have their back:’ News 6′s Matt Austin discusses viral video defending daughters on Inside EditionMonday, News 6 anchor Matt Austin appeared on Inside Edition to discuss his viral video in defense of his daughters that has grabbed headlines from across the U.S. and overseas.
Matt Austin’s online defense of daughters goes viral; sparks international support
Read full article: Matt Austin’s online defense of daughters goes viral; sparks international supportNews 6's Matt Austin tells the stories of Central Floridians and is rarely the focus of news coverage, but his recent online defense of his daughters has grabbed headlines from across the U.S. and even overseas.
‘That’s what I call trashy:’ News 6 anchor Matt Austin fires back at trolls in defense of his daughters
Read full article: ‘That’s what I call trashy:’ News 6 anchor Matt Austin fires back at trolls in defense of his daughtersAs a public figure, anchor Matt Austin is used to being in the limelight and potentially exposing himself to criticism, ranging from commentary on his delivery of the news to his haircut.
Central Florida woman joins national lawsuit against Hyundai and Kia
Read full article: Central Florida woman joins national lawsuit against Hyundai and KiaA Polk County woman has joined a national class action lawsuit against Hyundai Motor America and Kia America Inc. alleging “blatant breach of public trust” led to a surge in thefts of certain Kia and Hyundai vehicles sold without an engine immobilizer.
Instagram model arrested in Hawaii months after boyfriend stabbed to death in Florida
Read full article: Instagram model arrested in Hawaii months after boyfriend stabbed to death in FloridaSocial media model Courtney Clenney has been arrested in Hawaii on a charge of second-degree murder with a deadly weapon.
Florida social media influencers entertain millions by observing the weird, wacky things in the Sunshine State
Read full article: Florida social media influencers entertain millions by observing the weird, wacky things in the Sunshine StateThis week on Florida’s Fourth Estate, Ginger Gadsden and Matt Austin are speaking with two of Florida’s best known influencers when it comes to viral videos. They each have millions of followers on TikTok alone. Each one has their unique style and brand that their followers cannot get enough of, and they have managed to turned a hobby into big business.
Elon Musk one step closer to owning Twitter after board recommends sale
Read full article: Elon Musk one step closer to owning Twitter after board recommends saleTesla CEO Elon Musk is one step closer to taking the wheel at Twitter after Twitter’s board of directors said the Musk deal is the best one for shareholders.
Elon Musk aims to ease concerns in address to Twitter workers
Read full article: Elon Musk aims to ease concerns in address to Twitter workersIn an unusual move for what’s been an unusual takeover bid for Twitter by the world’s richest man, Tesla CEO Elon Musk addressed the social platform’s employees Thursday, even though his $44 billion offer has not yet been completed.
Facebook bans Alex the Officer, allows imposters to continue
Read full article: Facebook bans Alex the Officer, allows imposters to continueAlessandro Cinquini — the handsome Miami cruise line manager committed to expose imposters using his photographs in social media catfish schemes — told News 6 that Facebook dropped his account while allowing fake accounts to continue.
Hey, brother! How these siblings from Roanoke, Virginia became the oh-so popular ‘Super Carlin Brothers’
Read full article: Hey, brother! How these siblings from Roanoke, Virginia became the oh-so popular ‘Super Carlin Brothers’You have to meet Jonathan and Ben Carlin, if you’re not familiar with them already.
‘Hey Siri, directions to the nearest school:’ Deputies arrest Florida man over shooting threat
Read full article: ‘Hey Siri, directions to the nearest school:’ Deputies arrest Florida man over shooting threatDetectives arrested an 18-year-old Florida man after receiving a tip that he threatened a mass shooting at a school in a social media post.
Twitter shareholders to meet amid Elon Musk’s takeover drama
Read full article: Twitter shareholders to meet amid Elon Musk’s takeover dramaElon Musk on Wednesday revised the financing plan for his proposed $44 billion purchase of Twitter, raising investor hopes that the unpredictable billionaire still intends to pull off a deal roiled by market turbulence and Musk's own unpredictable fixation with the number of fake accounts on Twitter.
Elon Musk: Doubt about spam accounts could scuttle Twitter deal
Read full article: Elon Musk: Doubt about spam accounts could scuttle Twitter dealTesla CEO Elon Musk says his deal to buy Twitter can’t “move forward” unless the company shows public proof that less than 5% of the accounts on the platform are fake or spam.
Running Twitter may be much harder than Elon Musk thinks
Read full article: Running Twitter may be much harder than Elon Musk thinksOn Tuesday, Elon Musk said he would reverse Twitter’s ban of former President Donald Trump, who was booted in January 2021 for inciting violence at the U.S. Capitol, should he succeed in acquiring the social platform for $44 billion.
Elon Musk reaches deal to acquire Twitter for $44 billion
Read full article: Elon Musk reaches deal to acquire Twitter for $44 billionElon Musk reached an agreement to buy Twitter for roughly $44 billion on Monday, promising a more lenient touch to policing content on the platform where he promotes his interests, attacks critics and opines on a wide range of issues to more than 83 million followers.
Central Florida police warn about dangerous ‘Orbeez Challenge’ social media trend
Read full article: Central Florida police warn about dangerous ‘Orbeez Challenge’ social media trendOcala police put out a warning on Facebook about a potentially dangerous social media challenge called the "Orbeez Challenge."
Schools step up security in response to threats on TikTok
Read full article: Schools step up security in response to threats on TikTokEducators have announced plans to increase security in response to TikTok posts warning of shooting and bomb threats at schools around the country Friday as officials assured parents the viral posts were not considered credible.
Becoming an influencer: How a love for ‘Real Housewives’ turned into a career for this Detroiter
Read full article: Becoming an influencer: How a love for ‘Real Housewives’ turned into a career for this DetroiterSamantha Bush created the Instagram account @BravoHistorian on a whim, just looking for an outlet to share her opinions about all the ridiculous reality TV shows on the Bravo network.
Instagram head faces senators amid anger over possible harms
Read full article: Instagram head faces senators amid anger over possible harmsThe head of Instagram, appearing before a Senate panel, met with deep skepticism over new measures the platform is adopting to protect young users nd the company’s commitment to transparency.
Instagram launches tool urging teens to take a break
Read full article: Instagram launches tool urging teens to take a breakInstagram has launched a feature that urges teenagers to take breaks from the photo-sharing platform and announced other tools aimed at protecting young users from harmful content on the Facebook-owned service.
Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen fears the metaverse. Here’s why
Read full article: Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen fears the metaverse. Here’s whyFacebook whistleblower Frances Haugen is warning that the virtual reality world at the heart of the social media giant’s growth strategy will be addictive and rob people of personal information while giving the company another monopoly online.
Elon Musk: I’ll sell 10% ($20B) of Tesla stock based on Twitter poll
Read full article: Elon Musk: I’ll sell 10% ($20B) of Tesla stock based on Twitter pollTesla shares closed Monday down nearly 5% after CEO Elon Musk said he would sell 10% of his holdings in the electric car maker — more than $20 billion worth by most calculations — based on the results of a poll he conducted on Twitter over the weekend.
Florida judge sends Trump suit against Twitter to California
Read full article: Florida judge sends Trump suit against Twitter to CaliforniaA federal judge has ruled that former President Donald Trump must pursue his lawsuit against Twitter in California, and not Florida, under a user agreement covering everyone on the social media platform.
Trump announces launch of his own social media site
Read full article: Trump announces launch of his own social media siteSome investors aren’t waiting to see if former President Donald Trump’s plans for a media company to challenge the likes of Facebook, Twitter and even Disney can actually become reality _ they’re all in.
Osceola County sheriff uses social media to connect with growing Hispanic community
Read full article: Osceola County sheriff uses social media to connect with growing Hispanic communityFor Osceola County's first Hispanic Sheriff Marcos Lopez, it's important for him to speak to his county the way a large and growing portion speaks to him -- in Spanish.