Australia has banned social media use for those under 16. Is America next?
Last week, the Australian government passed a sweeping bill that bans kids under the age of 16 from using social media. The ban, which includes platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and Reddit, puts the onus on social media platforms to restrict access for those under age. Social media companies now have a year to assess how to implement age restrictions before penalties kick in. However, those in opposition say they’re concerned about how the law will be enforced, with tech companies saying they are left with few options, such as requiring a government ID to login to social media accounts or using biometric face scans to determine whether or not someone is of age. Despite the ban being a world’s first, Australia isn’t alone in its attempt to reign in social media use among children. Earlier this year, Florida passed a bill currently being challenged that would prohibit teenagers under the age of 14 from accessing social media; and both California and New York governors signed into law restrictions on social media companies ability to provide “addictive feeds” to minors. Might these restrictions mark the beginning of an outright ban on social media for kids in the States? Joining us today on AirTalk to discuss the implications of the new ban here at home and abroad is Bobby Allyn, technology correspondent for NPR, and James P. Steyer, CEO of Common Sense Media.
UCLA to build California’s first electric charging road
Students shuttling to class at UCLA’s Westwood campus will soon be doing so on a wireless EV-charging road as part of an almost 20 million dollar transportation project grant. Along with the charging roadway, eight new electric buses will be added to UCLA’s BruinBus fleet. This grant comes as the city begins preparations for the 2028 Olympic Games in which UCLA will serve as the Olympic Village for the world’s athlete’s. The project is part of a collaboration with the clean transportation non-profit CALSTART and wireless charging provider Electreon. The grant will also help fund renovations for a new transportation hub that will connect to L.A. Metro’s D Line. Joining us today on AirTalk to discuss the project is Clinton Bench, director of UCLA Fleet and Transit in UCLA Transportation.
Transgender rights case lands at Supreme Court amid debate over ban on medical treatments for minors
The Supreme Court is hearing arguments today in just its second major transgender rights case, which is a challenge to a Tennessee law that bans gender-affirming care for minors. The justices’ decision, not expected for several months, could affect similar laws enacted by another 25 states and a range of other efforts to regulate the lives of transgender people, including which sports competitions they can join and which bathrooms they can use. The case is coming before a conservative-dominated court after a presidential election in which Donald Trump and his allies promised to roll back protections for transgender people. The issue in the Tennessee case is whether the law violates the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment, which requires the government to treat similarly situated people the same.
With files from the Associated Press.
California’s solar surplus has led to curtailment, cost-related issues
California has invested heavily in solar energy, with solar farms like those in the Mojave Desert being resources meant to limit carbon emissions and benefit consumers in the state. Yet, the overabundance of electricity in peak hours has created issues for grid operators, having to cut off some of its suppliers and in some cases selling electricity to neighboring states. Although the surplus is able to find its way to neighboring states, it’s been at the cost of California suppliers; this ongoing solar surplus has also meant that Californians have had to pay these increased rate costs for energy that isn’t being used. So what’s led to our current solar surplus, as well as curtailment, and what can be done to improve this process? Today on AirTalk, we’re joined by Severin Borenstein, faculty director of the Energy Institute at UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business and member of the California ISO Board of Governors.
The 102-year-old Rose Bowl stadium steps into the 21st century with some renovations
The historic venue of the Rose Bowl will undergo several renovations in the next few years in an effort to improve visitor experience and keep up with the evolving sports landscape. Known as The Lasting Legacy Campaign, this eight-project renovation will include a new field-level club, improved seating, and the installation of a new video board. Six of the eight projects are already fully funded with some already completed, most notably the refurbishment of the stadium’s marquee. The improvements come ahead of the 2028 Olympic Games in which the Rose Bowl stadium is set to host several of the events. The enhancements also mark the changing needs of UCLA as the venue is now the home to a Ten Conference team. Joining us today to talk about the projects being done and how it will affect upcoming events is Dedan Brozino, president of the Rose Bowl Legacy Foundation.
