On this week’s supersized episode, Nicole and Sara discuss all things tech: from Social Media trends and new laws coming in 2025, to the top tech trends coming next year.
đď¸ Podcast Recap: The Teen Social Media Tug-of-War â What’s Happening?
Hey friends! Welcome back to the pod blog where we break down the latest in tech, teen trends, and a whole lotta “wait, what now?” news from around the world. Letâs rewind a bit and unpack this social media saga thatâs been unfolding since last fall.
đ Back to September: Enter Teen-Only Instagram
So, flashback to September â Instagram quietly launched this “teen-only” version of the app. Basically, if you were 18 or under, Instagram started defaulting your account to a private, more locked-down version. If you were 16 or 17, you could opt out of that setup, but for the younger crowd? Automatic teen mode ON. đ
It sounds good on paper, right? DMs restricted to people you follow, less sensitive content (think: fight videos, cosmetic surgery ads), and even a sleep mode! Like, no notifications from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m., and a little âhey, maybe log off?â nudge if youâve been scrolling for more than 60 minutes. Smart⌠in theory.
But, like most things online, people have found workarounds. Surprise, surprise. đ So while Instagram tried to respond to ongoing pressureâespecially after it came out that Meta knew their platforms were harmful to teens (particularly girls!)âa lot of folks are still saying it’s just not enough.
đ§ââď¸ Meanwhile in D.C.: The Kids Online Safety Act
Around the same time, the U.S. Senate passed the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA). And listen, we’re not political junkies or anything, but this bill? Itâs one of the most bipartisan pieces of legislation floating around. It was co-written by a Republican and a Democrat â so it’s getting support across the board, but also some pushback from both sides too. đ¤ˇââď¸
Whatâs wild is that Instagramâs updates were seen as kind of a preemptive move, like, âHey look, weâre doing something!â But lawmakers are like⌠âNot good enough.â
Even the U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy, chimed in and was like, âYouâre putting too much on parents.â Because the tech companies are out here going, âBut we gave you parental controls! Why aren’t you using them?â And parents are like, âHELLO? We donât even know what half these apps do!â
đ Then Down Under: Australia Bans Social Media for Under 16s?!
Okay, now fast forward to late November, early December. Australia drops a bomb: No social media for anyone under sixteen. Full stop. đŤ
Like, what?! This law goes into effect next year, and while it sounds pretty extreme, thereâs a catch. Theyâre putting the onus on tech companies to enforce it. If they donât? They face fines up to $33 million. Yikes.
But again â how do you even enforce something like this? Theyâre talking government-issued IDs, facial recognition (which, by the way, doesnât work that well especially with non-white faces), and maybe just⌠letting apps die out on teen devices because they won’t get updates anymore. It’s like a slow ghosting of social media. đť
Australiaâs kind of becoming the guinea pig here â the Big Brother vibes are strong. And yet, a YouGov poll showed 77% of Australians support the ban, including a lot of teens! Theyâre like, âYeah, I spend way too much time online anyway.â Respect.
đľ New Yorkâs Flip Phone Dream
Oh! And speaking of bans, New York state is also floating an idea to ban smartphones in schools. Just back to flip phones, baby. Simpler times. đđ
Some experts even suggest thatâs a better way â go retro! No apps, no social scrolling, just good ol’ fashioned Snake and texting like itâs 2004.
đ But Hereâs the Catch: Community & Censorship Concerns
Back in the U.S., weâre now in April, and the debate continues. That KOSA bill? Itâs in the House now. But LGBTQ+ advocates are raising red flags about one specific part â a vague âduty of careâ clause that could lead to unintended censorship. They worry it could block content related to LGBTQ+ resources, reproductive health, or the history of marginalized groups. đŹ
Because for many teens, especially those in vulnerable communities, the internet is a lifeline â a place to find support and identity. So the argument becomes: Whatâs the greater harm? Being exposed to harmful content, or losing access to vital, affirming communities?
The good news? The billâs language has reportedly been revised â even Elon Muskâs team at X was involved (make of that what you will). But the concern is still real.
đ§ Final Thoughts
So here we are: A world where teens, governments, tech companies, and parents are all trying to figure out the same thing â how do we make social media safer without totally killing what makes it meaningful?
Because letâs be honest: teens arenât going to stop being online. But maybe, just maybe, we can make that space a little more human, a little more thoughtful, and a lot less harmful.
Letâs Talk Teens, TikTok, and Touching Grass: Social Media, Parenting, and the Future of Tech
Okay, so letâs dive into it â social media, parenting, and all the tangled-up feelings we have about the future of technology. Buckle up, because weâre going from TikTok bans to quantum computers and, yes, encouraging your kids to just be bored sometimes.
TikTok, Teens, and the Tech Tug-of-War
It all started with a convo about TikTok â you know, that app thatâs either the best thing ever or the downfall of civilization, depending on who you ask. Some folks want it gone (yes, thatâs still a thing), mostly for data privacy concerns tied to China, but itâs also part of a much bigger conversation: what is social media doing to our brains⌠and our kidsâ brains?
The Book Everyoneâs Talking About: The Anxious Generation
One of the hottest reads right now in the library (and by hot, we mean everyoneâs got an opinion) is Jonathan Haidtâs The Anxious Generation. Haidt argues that smartphones, social media, and overprotective parenting have rewired childhood â and not in a good way.
Basically, since the late 2000s, kids have had fewer play-based experiences and way more screen time, which he says is contributing to a spike in anxiety and other mental health issues.
But (thereâs always a but) not everyoneâs fully on board. Critics point out the ol’ correlation vs. causation debate. In other words: maybe itâs not just the phones. Maybe itâs⌠everything? (Letâs be real â the worldâs been a lot lately.)
Parenting in the Age of Screens (And Boredom is a Good Thing?)
So letâs talk about parenting for a sec. Because if the kids are glued to their screens, where did they learn that from? đ
Thereâs this idea bubbling up that boredom is actually⌠healthy? Radical, I know. But seriously â letting your kids figure out how to entertain themselves without a screen is kind of the new parenting gold standard. It doesnât mean tossing them an iPad so theyâll âleave you alone,â but rather saying, âHey, youâve got toys, books, LEGOs â go wild.â
Youâre not being a mean parent. Youâre helping their brains grow. And also giving yourself five minutes to drink your coffee in peace.
The Rise of âSharentingâ (Yep, Itâs a Thing)
Now letâs flip the camera â literally. Enter: sharenting. Thatâs when parents post everything about their kids online, often without really thinking twice about it. First day of school? Posted. Potty training fail? Posted. Weird dance moves in the kitchen? Definitely posted.
Itâs not usually done with bad intent. But kids are starting to grow up and go, âHey⌠maybe I didnât want that photo of me in a diaper on the internet forever?â
UNICEF (yes, that UNICEF) actually suggests sitting down with your kid around age 9 or 10 and going through your social media posts together. Ask them what theyâre cool with. Delete stuff theyâre not. Itâs like spring cleaning for your digital life â but with a side of respect.
Books You Can Check Out (Literally) If You Want to Know More
Here are a few picks we have in the library right now if you’re ready to dig deeper:
- đ The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt
- đ Growing Up Shared â about smarter, safer sharing of your kids’ lives online
- đ The Opt-Out Family â written by a former influencer who pulled the plug on her digital life for the sake of her family
The Future is⌠Kinda Terrifying? (Letâs Talk Tech)
Okay, so if all that wasnât enough, hereâs a little glimpse into whatâs coming tech-wise in 2025. Itâs exciting! Itâs scary! Itâs both!
- Generative AI â Deepfakes are getting cheaper and creepier. But also, maybe useful? TBD.
- Quantum Computing â This could revolutionize drug discovery and hack all your passwords. Yay?
- 5G Expansion â Faster everything⌠unless your provider throttles you into digital oblivion. Looking at you, Verizon.
Oh, and for the record: yes, quantum computing could totally enhance Disney rides. If a robot offers me a taco mid-ride because it sensed my hunger vibes, Iâm not mad.
đŽ Virtual Reality 2.0: Still Trying to Be a Thing
Letâs be realâVR never quite hit the mainstream the way everyone thought it would. BUT itâs trying again with fancier displays, better motion tracking, and lighter headsets. Will this be the year? Weâll see. Itâs got a solid place in gaming, therapy, and training. Maybe fewer cords = more fun?
đ Augmented Reality: Still PokĂŠmon and Furniture
AR is getting shinier with better glasses and phone features. But letâs be honest, most of us are just using it to see if that IKEA chair fits in our living room. Weâre still waiting for that life-changing AR moment.
đ Internet of Things (IoT): Yes, It’s a Real Thing
Youâve heard of it, maybe pretended to know what it means. Turns out, itâs just all your smart devices talking to each otherâyour thermostat, your fridge, even your fingerprint door lock (which one of us has and LOVES). Also, it’s why your toaster might be spying on you.
đž Biotechnology in Agriculture: Science-y but Controversial
CRISPR, GMOs, super crops that donât mind droughtsâit all sounds great until someone brings up nature. What are we sacrificing for convenience and yield? And is “organic” even meaningful anymore? According to our farmer friend, not always.
đ Autonomous Vehicles: Coming Soon to a Highway Near You
Self-driving cars are actually on the way. Not quite flying cars, but close. The big impact will likely be in trucking and freightâless sexy, but super important. Still, weâre not giving up our steering wheels just yet.
đ Blockchain: Not Just for Crypto Bros
Surprise! Blockchain isnât just about Bitcoin. Itâs actually usefulâlike for secure voting, medical records, and preventing fraud. And no, itâs not a necklace you buy by the foot (though we did ask).
đ Personalized Medicine: Not Just for the Rich…Hopefully
Using your genetics and lifestyle to tailor treatment? Yes, please. But also… will regular people get access to this, or is this a VIP-only thing? Fingers crossed for the rest of us.
đ§ Neuromorphic Computing: Robots That Think (Yikes)
Chips modeled after human brains = next-level AI. Theyâre energy efficient, great at pattern recognition, and yes, a little iRobot creepy. First they mow lawns… then they take over. (Looking at you, Roomba.)
đŹď¸ Green Energy: Itâs Complicated
Wind, solar, biofuelsâgreat for the environment, right? Well… sometimes. Turns out, wind farms might hurt marine life and cost more than they’re worth. So, like everything else: benefits vs. trade-offs.
â Wearable Health Monitors: Your Wrist Is a Doctor Now
From heart rate to blood sugar, wearables are all over it. Smartwatches are basically your personal health assistant nowâjust hopefully not too judgy when you skip the gym.
đŁď¸ Voice Tech: Alexa, Please Understand Me!
Voice assistants are supposed to be getting smarter. But when you end up with two nachos at Taco Bell because the bot misunderstood, you question how far weâve really come.
đ Space Tourism: Maybe Someday (But Not Today)
Companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin are making space travel possible for more than just astronauts. But are we going? Nope. Not until itâs as safe as a trip to Target. Maybe on our retirement bucket list… maybe.
đ Synthetic Media: Deepfakes & Virtual Influencers
AI-generated content is everywhere. Some of itâs helpful, some of itâs… unsettling. (Looking at you, fake people on Instagram.) But itâs raising big questions about whatâs real and whatâs just pixels pretending.
đ¤ Advanced Robotics: Real-Life Terminators? Hopefully Not
Robots are already in factories and hospitals, and theyâre only getting smarter. Some are even doing landscaping now. Cue the horror movie music.
đĄď¸ AI & Cybersecurity: Who Watches the Watchers?
Weâre using AI to fight cyber threats. Which is cool. But also: what happens when the AI is the threat? Just asking…
đŻââď¸ Digital Twins: You, But Digital
Itâs like the Sims, but with your actual data. Used in manufacturing and also… possibly your digital afterlife? (Thanks, Amazon Prime show we can’t remember the name of.)
đą Sustainable Tech: Save the Earth, But Make It Costly
Eco-friendly tech is amazing if itâs accessible. Right now, a lot of it isnât. But the hope is that green innovation becomes the norm and not a luxury.
đ Telemedicine: Not Just a Pandemic Thing
Virtual doctor visits are here to stayâand getting better. Convenient, yes. Weirdly intimate, also yes.
𧏠Nanotech & Quantum: So Tiny, So Powerful
Think atomic-level upgrades to materials, medicine, and electronics. Itâs like sci-fi, but itâs already happening. Just donât ask us to explain quantum computing after 5 PM.
đ¤ AI-TRiSM: The Final Boss of AI Ethics
This oneâs all about making sure AI doesnât go rogue. Transparency, trust, safetyâitâs the digital version of crossing your fingers and hoping for the best.
đŻ And the Hot New Jobs?
From AI specialists to quantum engineers to data privacy officersâitâs a whole new career world out there. If only someone could explain what âRent Techâ is⌠and how to get paid just for making money with money.
Whew. That was a lot. But exciting, right? Technologyâs evolving fast, and weâre just trying to keep upâone VR headset, robot lawnmower, and weird TikTok deepfake at a time.
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