By Editor , 19 October 2026
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Social Media Safety Group Urges Parents to Use Third-Party Software

United States – October 19, 2026 -- Parents should be able to install third-party safety software on every social media platform and device operating system, argues Marc Berkman, CEO of the Organization for Social Media Safety, after two months of damaging press about children's exposure to harmful content.

By Editor , 19 October 2026
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School Violence Hoax Spread on Social Media: 3 Steps for Parents

United States – October 19, 2026 -- Parents and school administrators are being urged to take three steps against social media-related school violence threats after a so-called "National Day of School Violence" spread online this week.

By Editor , 19 October 2026
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Fentanyl Deliveries by Snapchat: What Parents Must Know

United States – October 19, 2026 -- Parents can cut the risk of teen drug poisoning by setting app permissions, locking down privacy settings and talking openly about fentanyl, according to the Organization for Social Media Safety. The group says its own testing found it takes about three minutes to connect with a drug dealer on social media and receive a "menu" of drugs for sale.

By Editor , 19 October 2026
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Snapchat's Family Center: Watchdog Says It Won't Protect Kids

Unspecified location – October 19, 2026 -- Parents who link to their child through Snapchat's new Family Center can see the child's friend list and who they messaged in the past seven days, but the Organization for Social Media Safety says the tool will not meaningfully improve child safety.

The tool shows contacts, not conversations

Snap, Inc. announced Family Center this month. Parents must first request permission from their child. Snap confirmed that the tool gives parents no insight into "the substance of those conversations."