local
More than half of social media child safety features aren’t working, per report
By Clare Duffy at WXYZ Channel 7 (ABC Detroit) - News
· June 29, 2026
· 8 min read
Social media giants have for years touted their growing slate of safety tools and protections as proof that they prioritize young users wellbeing.But more than half of those protections dont work as advertised, new research finds.Researchers at the Cybersafety Research Center tested 86 youth safe...
Key takeaway Researchers at the Cybersafety Research Center tested 86 youth safety features across TikTok, Instagram, Snap and YouTube and examined whether they worked as described and whether children could realistically find and use them.
Why this matters in The Detroit
The findings of the Cybersafety Research Center's report have significant implications for Detroit families, many of whom rely on social media platforms to stay connected with their children and community. With thousands of lawsuits pending against social media companies, including YouTube and Instagram parent company Meta, for allegedly addicting and harming young people, local parents are right to be concerned about the safety and wellbeing of their kids online. The fact that more than half of the tested safety features did not work as advertised raises questions about the effectiveness of these platforms' protections and the need for greater oversight and regulation. As federal lawmakers consider renewed regulation of social media, Detroit residents should pay close attention to the developments on Capitol Hill, particularly as they relate to the protection of minors and the potential consequences for local families.
About this story
Original reporting by WXYZ Channel 7 (ABC Detroit) - News . The Detroit surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit WXYZ Channel 7 (ABC Detroit) - News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 29, 2026 ·
Source: WXYZ Channel 7 (ABC Detroit) - News ·
Reading time: 8 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Social media giants have for years touted their growing slate of safety tools and protections as proof that they prioritize young users wellbeing.But more than half of those protections dont work as advertised, new research finds.Researchers at the Cybersafety Research Center tested 86 youth safe...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 29, 2026 by WXYZ Channel 7 (ABC Detroit) - News and curated for The Detroit readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Clare Duffy at WXYZ Channel 7 (ABC Detroit) - News. To learn more about how The Detroit selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Detroit, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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