Latest Online safety News

Michigan man sentenced to 30 years in prison for role in online child exploitation ring

Nov. 07, 2024 14:50 PM EST

DETROIT (AP) — A Michigan man who admitted to exploiting a girl was sentenced Thursday to 30 years in federal prison in an investigation of a sinister online community that pressures children into committing acts of self-harm and creating sexual abuse images. Richard Densmore ran...

A man who abused up to 3,500 girls online has been sentenced for crimes including manslaughter

Oct. 25, 2024 11:22 AM EDT

LONDON (AP) — A “relentless and cruel” online predator who blackmailed girls around the world was sentenced to at least 20 years in prison on Friday after being convicted of the manslaughter of a victim who took her own life. Prosecutors say 26-year-old Alexander McCartney,...

Biden calls the landmark Violence Against Women Act his proudest legislative achievement

Sep. 12, 2024 22:03 PM EDT

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden said Thursday joined scores of advocates and survivors of domestic abuse to mark the 30th anniversary of the landmark Violence Against Women Act, a law he wrote and championed as a U.S. senator because he wanted to “change the culture of America” around...

Australia proposes legal minimum age for children accessing social media

Sep. 10, 2024 05:50 AM EDT

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — The Australian government on Tuesday promised to legislate this year to enforce a minimum age for children to access social media, but it has yet to announce how ages will be verified. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the government would soon trial...

New Mexico's attorney general files a suit saying Snapchat allows child sexual extortion

Sep. 06, 2024 17:31 PM EDT

AP Technology Writer (AP) — New Mexico's attorney general has filed a lawsuit against the company behind Snapchat, alleging that site's design and policies foster the sharing of child sexual abuse material and facilitate child sexual exploitation. Attorney General Raúl Torrez...