Children’s Mental Health Suffered On Meta’s Platforms, N.M. Jury Determines
Jurors in New Mexico concluded that Meta violated parts of the state's Unfair Practices Act and engaged in “unconscionable” trade practices that compromised children's safety, the AP reported.
AP:
New Mexico Jury Says Meta Harms Children's Mental Health And Safety
A New Mexico jury determined Tuesday that Meta knowingly harmed children’s mental health and concealed what it knew about child sexual exploitation on its social media platforms, a verdict that signals a changing tide against tech companies and the government’s willingness to crack down. The landmark decision comes after a nearly seven-week trial, and as jurors in a federal court in California have been sequestered in deliberations for more than a week about whether Meta and YouTube should be liable in a similar case. (Lee, 3/24)
More mental health updates —
Wyoming News Now:
New Wyoming Law Creates Contracts For Mental Health Holds To Address Lengthy Wait Times
Gov. Mark Gordon has signed a new bill into law addressing mental health holds throughout the state. Senate File 10 allows the Wyoming Department of Health and Wyoming detention centers to enter into contracts, addressing lengthy mental health holds in jails. (Swanke, 3/24)
Minnesota Public Radio:
Medicaid Freeze Could Lead To Minnesota Hospitals Closing Psychiatric Units
The Trump administration’s decision to temporarily freeze some federal Medicaid money has left hospital psychiatric units in a dire position. (Wurzer and Levin, 3/24)
Mississippi Today:
Ole Miss Announces College Gambling Center
The University of Mississippi on Monday announced the upcoming launch of its new Center on Collegiate Gambling, which researchers describe as the “first of its kind in the nation” amid rising national concern about betting on collegiate sports. The center was approved by the Institutions of Higher Learning Board of Trustees in February and will cost about $700,000 a year. It was conceived to study the “heightened risks” for college students and student athletes caused by the rapid growth of legalized sports betting and online gambling, its founders said. Researchers said the center will now begin hiring staff. (Goldberg, 3/24)
Legislative developments —
CBS News:
Coloradans Who Underwent Conversion Therapy Could Sue For Damages Under Proposed Bill
A newly introduced bill at the Colorado State Capitol would allow LGBTQ individuals to sue for damages caused by so-called conversion therapy, or therapy aimed at changing the sexual orientation or gender identity of a person. The practice was banned in Colorado in 2019, and the American Medical Association - among other medical and mental health organizations - has said it is ineffective and can lead to depression, anxiety, and other psychological injuries. (Boyd, 3/24)
CBS News:
Unhealthy Menu Items Could Be Flagged In Maryland Under Proposed Bill
A proposed bill in Maryland could make it easier for diners to spot unhealthy menu items before they order. The Informed Dining Act would require restaurant chains in the state to place simple icons on their menus to identify food items that are high in added sugar or sodium. The bill has already passed the Maryland House of Delegates. The Senate's version of the bill would rely on QR codes instead of adding icons directly to menus, a difference that supporters say could make the information harder to access. (Zizaza, 3/24)
Politico:
In California, The War On Ultraprocessed Foods Moves To The Supermarket
A California Democrat is pushing a bill to create the nation’s first seal of approval for non-ultraprocessed foods — and require grocery stores to prominently display those products at the ends of aisles and other visible locations. The legislation, shared first with POLITICO, is the latest in a broader war on unhealthy food gaining traction at both the federal and state level, and across parties, with bipartisan support nationally for ridding American diets of ultraprocessed foods. It would create a “California Certified” seal on foods that aren’t ultraprocessed. (Norman and Bluth, 3/24)
Also —
WFSU:
'Forever Chemicals' Found In Wells Near Tallahassee Raise Concern Of Scientists, Officials
As many as 50 private water wells in the Woodville area south of Tallahassee could have PFAS levels that exceed government standards. A nearby wastewater spray field could be the source. (Flanigan, 3/24)
