teens

The first US trial over allegations that TikTok contributed to a teen mental health crisis is set to begin, testing claims that the platform's design harms young users. The case is being closely watched as a test of social media companies' legal responsibility for youth wellbeing and could shape future litigation against major platforms.

TikTok has reached its first settlement with a US state over claims that its platform harms teenagers, agreeing to impose limits on users as part of the deal. The agreement marks the first time an individual state has resolved such allegations with the company, which faces broader scrutiny in the US over the effects of its app on young people's mental health and wellbeing.

India has proposed banning junk food sales in school canteens and within 50 meters of school premises, in an effort to curb rising obesity and diabetes rates among children. The move signals a tougher regulatory stance on food sold around educational institutions and has drawn attention to children's health concerns in the country.

NewsNation reports that AI chatbots are facing a new safety test as growing numbers of teenagers turn to them for companionship. The rise of bots designed for conversation and emotional connection is raising questions about safeguards, age limits, and the risks of young users forming attachments to artificial companions.

TikTok has reached an agreement with Alabama, days before a scheduled trial, under which it must implement changes for teenagers in the state. These include a two-hour daily time limit, pauses after 15 minutes of continuous use, and stricter age verification checks. The deal is drawing attention as part of wider US scrutiny of social media's effects on young users, with some questioning why parents cannot set the limits themselves.

A new essay argues that bans on teen social media use address the wrong problem. Rather than restricting access by age, the piece suggests the focus should be on the underlying design of online platforms and how they capture attention. The debate over age limits for minors online continues to divide policymakers, parents, and researchers worldwide.

Singapore sprinter Shanti Pereira is chasing a place in a historic women's 200m final at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, where she is expected to face Chinese teenage sprint sensation Chen Yujie. The matchup is being billed as a highlight of the athletics programme, pitting Asia's established sprint star against one of the sport's fastest-rising young talents.

A new opinion piece challenges the increasingly popular argument that smartphones and social media are the main cause of rising anxiety and unhappiness among teenagers. It questions whether the evidence linking phone use to teen mental health decline is as strong as claimed, reopening a debate that has shaped school phone bans and parenting advice worldwide.

Alabama teenagers are set to receive their own version of TikTok as part of a sweeping $100 million deal, according to Fox Business. Details about who is funding the initiative, what the app will offer, and how it will differ from the popular short-video platform have not been disclosed, but the announcement is drawing attention as states weigh responses to TikTok's prominence among young users.

Teens continue to favor Apple's iPhone and Instagram over Android devices and Snapchat, according to a report highlighted by Mashable. The finding underscores Apple's lasting grip on the youth market and Instagram's stronger standing among younger users, even as rivals try to win them over with competing phones and social apps.

Three teenagers have been arrested in connection with three separate murders, according to Houston news outlet Click2Houston. Details about the victims, the locations of the killings, or the suspects' identities have not been released. The arrests link each teen to a distinct homicide case rather than a single incident.

Australian News Corp outlets are running a story on the dangers and challenges teenagers face when starting their first jobs, urging parents to prepare their kids for difficult situations, including knowing how to get out of unsafe circumstances. The piece focuses on what parents should teach young workers before they enter the workforce, particularly around safety and self-protection.

A summit in Arizona's East Valley brought community leaders together to address teen violence, mental health struggles and online threats facing young people. The event highlighted growing concern among parents, educators and officials about the pressures teens face both in person and on social media, and about how schools and families can respond before problems escalate.

Police in Halawa, Hawaii, have taken a suspect into custody in connection with the shooting of a teenager. Details about the victim's condition and the suspect's identity have not yet been released. The arrest marks a step forward in the ongoing investigation, and residents are following the case as more information emerges.