Meta, la empresa matriz de Facebook e Instagram, está ignorando las solicitudes para investigar el efecto que tienen sus plataformas de redes sociales en la salud mental de los niños. La semana pasada, los accionistas rechazaron una propuesta para contratar a una firma de abogados independiente y evaluar la efectividad del comité de supervisión de riesgos y auditoría de Meta. La resolución alega que la compañía rompe regularmente sus compromisos de eliminar contenido dañino para los niños. El presidente de la Federación Estadounidense de Maestros, Randi Weingarten, se pronunció a favor de la resolución.

"En las aulas y comunidades de todo el país, sus miembros están presenciando de primera mano el impacto en los estudiantes de la ansiedad, acoso, trauma, dismorfia corporal y trastornos alimentarios como resultado directo de la exposición a imágenes en Instagram, así como la violencia glorificada en las plataformas de Meta," indicó el entrevistado.

La declaración de poder de Meta aconsejaba votar "no", diciendo que la compañía ya prohíbe el contenido dañino y brinda a los padres herramientas para monitorear la actividad de sus hijos en línea. La semana pasada, el Cirujano General de EE. UU. emitió un aviso de 19 páginas sobre el uso de las redes sociales por parte de los adolescentes, diciendo que predice una disminución en la satisfacción con la vida de las niñas de 11 a 13 años y los niños de 14 a 15 años.

Weingarten reitera que necesitamos más claridad sobre lo que está haciendo Meta para proteger a los niños.

"Si bien el comité de supervisión de riesgos y auditoría de Meta está a cargo de evaluar los riesgos, los accionistas no tienen idea de cómo opera el comité, qué información considera o si solo reafirma su autoridad completamente en manos del CEO Mark Zuckerberg," expresó también Weingarten.

La Casa Blanca recientemente pidió cambios, alegando que Meta utiliza "técnicas de diseño manipulativo integradas en sus productos para promover el uso adictivo y compulsivo por parte de los jóvenes para generar más ingresos". La Federación de Maestros está pidiendo que se prohíba la recopilación de datos de niños pequeños.

Meta, la empresa matriz de Facebook e Instagram, esta ignorando las llamadas para investigar el efecto que tienen sus plataformas de redes sociales en la salud mental de los ninos. Gretchen Sanchez tiene los detalles.

Reporto, Gretchen Sanchez.

Comuniquese con Weingarten a traves de Sarah Hager Mosby en shager@aft.org Propuesta para los accionistas: https://pnsne.ws/3oTPfVk Resultados de la votacion de los accionistas: https://pnsne.ws/42iFUUJ Meta Proxy Statement: https:// pnsne.ws/3X4qdzP Asesoramiento del cirujano general: https://pnsne.ws/3IVMRVc Llamado a la accion de WH: https://pnsne.ws/3N9lDwH Prohibicion propuesta por la FTC: https://pnsne.ws/3Jj6y9F

Everybody loves to get something free and right now, kids aged 12-17 can get a fishing and hunting license at no cost from the Nevada Department of Wildlife.

The license is good for one year and normally sells for $15.

Bobby Jones, outdoor connection coordinator for the Nevada Department of Wildlife, said the free licenses are funded by donations to the Nevada Youth License Fund.

"This is actually the third year that the program's been active," Jones explained. "We keep it open as much as possible. We're just limited by the amount of donations that we have. Right now, we have almost 2,000 available and they go fast."

Youth can get a free license on the Nevada Department of Wildlife website or wherever the licenses are sold. Children under age 12 do not need a fishing license. The state said almost two-thirds of the kids who have taken advantage of the program in the past have never had a hunting or fishing license before.

Jones emphasized the program is designed to tempt kids to leave the digital world behind for a short time and enjoy some time outdoors. It could lead them to even consider a nature-based career like wildlife biology, forest management or outdoor education.

"Essentially what we're up against is a lot of kids are engaged in their phones and social media, TV," Jones pointed out. "They're constantly bombarded with things. We're trying to make it a little bit easier for them to enjoy the outdoors."

Some of the most popular fishing spots include Lahontan in the Fallon area, Wild Horse and South Fork in Eastern Nevada, and Lake Mead down south.


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The University of Nebraska is addressing a shortage of lawyers who represent the state's most vulnerable children, especially in rural areas.

The attorneys are being equipped to work with kids who have suffered through physical, emotional, or financial trauma - and are often living in poverty.

Of Nebraska's 5,500 licensed attorneys, only 7% of them practice in rural areas.

Michelle Paxton, director of the Nebraska Children's Justice and Legal Advocacy Center, said two thirds of child neglect and abuse cases originate outside the Lincoln and Omaha metro areas, in what she calls "rural legal deserts."

"We have twelve counties in Nebraska with zero attorneys living in those counties," said Paxton. "We have 22 with less than three."

Paxton said that there are too few qualified rural child justice attorneys, which means lawyers may drive hundreds of miles for juvenile cases, creating delays and court backlogs.

The University of Nebraska program will add lawyers trained to handle issues unique to children in low-income families.

Attorneys who work on juvenile court cases are getting the tailored knowledge they need, but Paxton added that the program is also creating an opportunity for those attorneys to network and get support from other lawyers in the field - who are often isolated.

"And so they don't often have another attorney doing this type of work that they can rely on for support and mentorship," said Paxton, "and our program provides that support and mentorship so that they are not only willing to continue working in juvenile court, increase their hours in juvenile court and increase their commitment. "

The advocacy center will also develop a case-tracking tool, enabling people to find an attorney online.

Support for this reporting was provided by Lumina Foundation.



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Statistics show one in five children in Texas struggles with hunger.

Approximately 10,000 students a day are getting a nutritious meal through the Summer Food Service Program offered by the Houston Food Bank. The meals are distributed across the food bank's 18-county region.

Jourdan Stansberry, senior manager of education programs for Houston Food Bank, said they partner with summer camps, churches and other nonprofit organizations to serve the students. She added anyone who is not near a meal site can take advantage of their non-congregate option.

"Sites that are considered rural by the Texas Department of Agriculture," Stansberry explained. "It's a grab-and-go model where families can pick up the meals, It's like a five-day bundle of frozen meals, breakfast and snacks, so 10 meals all together. They're able to pick it up and take it home."

Locations of the meal sites in the Houston area and across Texas are available at the Department of Agriculture's Summer Meal Site Map. The meals are available to anyone 18 years old or younger or students with a disability, up to 21 years old.

The meals are distributed at more than 250 sites around the Houston area. Students do not have to register to take advantage of the meals. Stansbury emphasized it is a great way to ensure kids have access to fresh fruits and vegetables during the summer. She added the menus consist of more than just a sandwich and chips.

"One thing that I know has been pretty popular is our orange chicken with rice, and we also have broccoli, vegetable-medley side that goes along with that. We saw also chicken tikka masala," Stansbury outlined. "We try to expose them to different meals, not only healthwise but also culturally."

The Houston Food Bank expects to distribute around 800,000 meals this summer. The meal program runs through Aug. 8.


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