The Senate passed a bill, 91-3, to protect children from harmful online content, holding tech companies accountable for harm and requiring them to implement safety measures. The House is yet to act, but President Biden has urged swift action. The bill is being championed by parents of kids who died by suicide due to online bullying. (AP)
A third child, 9-year-old Alice Aguiar, has died from injuries in a knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance workshop in Southport, UK. Seven others were injured, and a 17-year-old male suspect has been charged with murder and attempted murder. “I am at a complete loss at how I can ever convey my sympathies to these families,” Swift wrote on social media. (UPI)
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts that a solar storm may cause the northern lights to be visible farther south than usual this week. A strong geomagnetic storm watch has been issued for July 29 to July 31, with auroras potentially visible in places like Illinois and Oregon. (CNN)
In 2023, almost 1 in 3 US adolescents received mental health treatment, with around 8.3 million aged 12-17 receiving counseling, medication, or another form of treatment. The Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration reported an increase in adolescents receiving medication, with officials viewing the trend positively due to efforts to destigmatize mental health treatment. (CBS News)
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission ruled that Amazon is legally responsible for recalling over 400,000 hazardous products sold by third-party vendors on its platform. The products, including faulty carbon monoxide detectors and non-compliant kids’ sleepwear, pose substantial safety hazards under federal standards. (CBS News)
