Social Media

Idaho lawmakers are trying to bring down levels of social media addiction in children by introducing new regulations for some of the world’s biggest companies.

More teenagers are using social media every year, despite headlines and studies showing digital media use is having a negative impact on their mental health.

Idaho Matters takes a look at what's being done locally to address the mental health crisis impacting Idaho children.

One program is trying to keep trash out of your favorite campsite.

Gov. Greg Gianforte banned the app on state government electronic devices last December, and has said he is concerned about people's user data being compromised by the Chinese government.

Republican governors in Idaho, Montana, Utah and Wyoming banned the popular app TikTok from all state electronic devices. That includes equipment like phones, laptops and tablets, and most states also prohibit the use of the app on state-run networks.

The law, signed by Gov. Brad Little last November, gives debt collectors a faster way to reach consumers. It also gives way to scammers.

The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare is working to tamp down misinformation around COVID-19 in the state — specifically on the department’s Facebook page. Last week, the agency announced it would block members of the public from posting on its page after sharing or promoting misinformation there.

A federal judge ruled in February that the National Park Service's commercial filming fees were an unconstitutional violation of free speech. Now, Wyoming Sen. John Barrasso has introduced a bill that would waive those fees on all federal public lands, no matter the distribution platform.

More and more of us are using social media these days to stay connected with friends and family as the COVID-19 pandemic rages on in Idaho. But how much…