This Father’s Day, dads might have more to worry about than how to enthusiastically thank their children for yet another tie. News stories this week highlight the increasing vulnerability of today’s youth in a technology-filled world. From cyberbullying to predator apps to camera phones in the locker room, parents around the country are wondering how to keep their children safe. Luckily, they’re not alone. The law–and tech companies–are stepping in. The New York Legislature is working on a bill to fight cyberbullying, a Minnesota prosecutor is making an example of teens who disseminated partially-nude locker room pictures of their classmates, and the makers of the Skout app have blocked minors access until the company can build better safeguards, such as age verification. With allies like these, maybe dads can get what they really need this year: peace of mind.
Technology and the Workplace
- Social Media and the Job Hunt: Squeaky-Clean Profiles Need Not Apply (Forbes)
- Professor’s Academic Freedom Was Violated, UC Davis Faculty Leaders Say (LA Times)
- Brocade Drops Trade Secrets Suit Against Ex-Employee (Law 360)
- FCC to Review Mobile Phone Radiation Safety (Post)
Technology and the Law
- Flirting App Skout Suspends Teen Community After Child-Rape Charges (CNN) (NYT)
- NY Lawmakers Near Deal to Combat Cyber Bullies (CBS)
- 4 Minnesota Middle-Schoolers Charged in Locker Room Photo “Game” (Star Tribune)
- Maryland Students Suspended Over Offensive Picture (CBS)
- Judge Refuses Request to Serve Party by Facebook, Orders Newspaper Publication Instead (ABA Journal)
There’s an App for ThatÂ
- “Stress at Work” App Warns Users of Negative Messages, Color-Codes Incoming Texts (Huffington Post) (CNN)
- I Don’t Anymore: App to Help with Details of Divorce (LA Times)
- Apps for Dads to Download on Father’s Day (Chicago Tribune)
- eHarmony App Helps Couples Share Their Love Story on Facebook (LA Times)