Social media addiction lawsuits are expanding across federal and state courts. The dispute centers partly on Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act of 1996. Meta and TikTok argued the law shielded them from claims tied to warnings about allegedly addictive platforms. The appeals court said Section 230 provides a defense against liability, rather than immunity from being sued. That distinction prevented an immediate appeal at this stage. The ruling left earlier orders from the federal trial court in place without deciding whether the companies ultimately bear liability. Individuals, families, school districts, municipalities, and states are among the plaintiffs. They accuse Meta, Alphabet’s Google, ByteDance’s TikTok, and Snap of designing platforms that foster compulsive use among youth. These lawsuits connect those alleged design features to issues such as depression, anxiety, body image concerns, and other damages. The defendants have contested these allegations. Plaintiffs are seeking damages, penalties, and restitution in the federal proceedings. Approximately 3,300 additional cases with similar claims have been consolidated in California state court. Separate Meta litigation proceeds in Oakland.
UN child safety push targets AI, disinformation and harmful online platform practices. Ahead of International Youth Day on Aug. 12, the Department of Global Communications issued the brief. According to the report, over 82% of individuals aged 15 to 24 are internet users globally. Such access fosters educational opportunities, civic involvement, and economic inclusion. Nonetheless, harmful online environments can negatively influence the cognitive, emotional, and social growth of young users. The document also highlights that children and teenagers are still developing critical skills for evaluating online information. The UN categorizes these threats into three groups: technology, distribution channels, and harmful content. Risks related to technology include misuse of digital tools and AI. Distribution issues involve algorithms, digital inequality, and limited access to independent journalism. Content-related dangers encompass disinformation, online harassment, and hate speech. The report notes these issues often overlap because technology influences how information is disseminated and which content gains prominence across digital platforms. Scrutiny intensifies on digital platforms’ approach to child safety A key focus of the brief is on how leading technology firms design their digital offerings and generate revenue. It indicates that attention-driven systems can promote practices that exploit psychological vulnerabilities among young users. Data collection and behavioral advertising further enable highly tailored marketing strategies. The report underscores concerns about exposure to extreme content and features that foster compulsive use. It urges tech companies and AI creators to embed child rights and safety considerations into their product and service development processes. Various governments worldwide are exploring
Health
According to official data through Aug. 7, the Ebola outbreak in DR Congo has resulted in 1,916 fatalities and 4,209 confirmed cases. This total represents an increase of 29 deaths compared to the 1,887 reported in the previous update. Additionally, health officials have identified 595 patients in isolation for treatment, while 828 individuals have recovered from the Bundibugyo virus disease outbreak.
Travel
South Korea registered a tourism surplus of $596.6 million in June 2026, marking its strongest monthly outcome since the COVID-19 crisis began. The figure represents an improvement of $1.44 billion compared to June 2025, when the balance showed an $846.8 million deficit. According to data from the Korea Tourism Organization, June’s surplus is the second-largest monthly figure on record, with only October 2008 surpassing it at $661.5 million.
Technology
UN child safety push targets AI, disinformation and harmful online platform practices. Ahead of International Youth Day on Aug. 12, the Department of Global Communications issued the brief. According to the report, over 82% of individuals aged 15 to 24 are internet users globally. Such access fosters educational opportunities, civic involvement, and economic inclusion. Nonetheless, harmful online environments can negatively influence the cognitive, emotional, and social growth of young users. The document also highlights that children and teenagers are still developing critical skills for evaluating online information. The UN categorizes these threats into three groups: technology, distribution channels, and harmful content. Risks related to technology include misuse of digital tools and AI. Distribution issues involve algorithms, digital inequality, and limited access to independent journalism. Content-related dangers encompass disinformation, online harassment, and hate speech. The report notes these issues often overlap because technology influences how information is disseminated and which content gains prominence across digital platforms. Scrutiny intensifies on digital platforms’ approach to child safety A key focus of the brief is on how leading technology firms design their digital offerings and generate revenue. It indicates that attention-driven systems can promote practices that exploit psychological vulnerabilities among young users. Data collection and behavioral advertising further enable highly tailored marketing strategies. The report underscores concerns about exposure to extreme content and features that foster compulsive use. It urges tech companies and AI creators to embed child rights and safety considerations into their product and service development processes. Various governments worldwide are exploring