www.thecentersquare.com – By Kim Jarrett | The Center Square – (The Center Square – ) 2025-05-01 09:15:00
(The Center Square) – Georgia is the latest state facing a legal challenge over a law that requires social media companies to verify a user’s age.
Lawmakers said Senate Bill 351, signed into law by Gov. Brian Kemp in 2024, is designed to protect minors from cyberbullying and bad online actors.
“The health and safety of our children should always be a parent’s number one priority,” Lt. Governor Burt Jones said in a statement after the bill’s signing. “I am proud to have prioritized this legislation to help protect our children online and combat the very serious epidemic of cyberbullying which plagues this country.”
But the bill could have the opposite effect from lawmakers’ intention of protecting minors and their families, said Paul Taske, NetChoice Associate Director of Litigation in an interview with The Center Square. The company, a trade organization representing apps like Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, is challenging the law in a case filed in the U.S. Northern District of Georgia on Thursday.
“I think what we said form the onset of all these cases to all of these state legislatures making this argument is that we think it’s really important to protect minors and everyone online, but we think in order to accomplish that goal, lawmakers have to do it with the First Amendment in mind, Taske said. “Unconstitutional laws won’t protect anyone because they’ll end up being struck down in court.”
The company has successfully challenged similar laws in Arkansas and Ohio with judges have siding with NetChoice, saying the laws violate the First Amendment. Lawsuits are also pending in Tennessee and Louisiana.
The Georgia law requires children under the age of 16 to get parental consent before using social media sites. The requirement could give companies a “honeypot” of data, according to Taske. He cited an Experian study that shows 25 children will experience identity theft before the age of 18.
“When the government is mandating that another source of information be collected and a repository created of this sensitive information to verify people’s ages, their identities and their relationships to their parents, that creates a ‘treasure trove’ or a ‘honeypot,’ whatever you want to call it of sensitive information,” Taske said.
Taske said if lawmakers are concerned about online safety, they can take a couple of different approaches.
“Law enforcement are of course the best line of defense for going after criminals and lawbreakers in any realm of criminal activity and that doesn’t change just become it’s happening online,” Taske said. “Whether that’s additional funding for monitoring or setting up special task forces for dealing with cybercrime.”
Education is also a “powerful tool,” Taske said.
“In addition to educating the younger users in the classroom, we think that it would be excellent for the government to allocate some funds to educate parents as well,” he said.
Note: The following A.I. based commentary is not part of the original article, reproduced above, but is offered in the hopes that it will promote greater media literacy and critical thinking, by making any potential bias more visible to the reader –Staff Editor.
The article primarily reports on a legal challenge to a new law in Georgia that requires social media companies to verify users’ ages, citing the positions of both proponents and opponents of the legislation. It presents the argument from Lt. Governor Burt Jones and other lawmakers who champion the bill as necessary for protecting minors from cyberbullying, emphasizing their focus on children’s health and safety.
However, the article also gives significant space to the views of Paul Taske, a representative of NetChoice, which opposes the law. His concerns focus on constitutional issues related to First Amendment rights and the potential creation of a “honeypot” of sensitive personal data. This suggests the article strives for a balanced representation of the viewpoints involved, without overtly advocating for one side over the other.
The piece does not clearly adopt an ideological stance but provides ample details on both the support and opposition to the law. The inclusion of NetChoice’s perspective and the critical examination of the law’s potential effects on privacy align the article with more neutral, factual reporting. The tone does not strongly favor one political side, making it a Center-Right analysis, reflecting a more cautious or conservative approach to government regulation and privacy concerns.
www.wsav.com – Jeremy Tanner – 2025-06-17 07:09:00
SUMMARY: Cars.com released its 2025 America-Made Index ranking vehicles by U.S. and Canadian parts, assembly location, engine and transmission origins, and U.S. workforce involvement. Tesla’s Model 3 topped the list, with models like the Tesla Model Y, Jeep Gladiator, and Honda Ridgeline also ranking highly. Toyota’s RAV4 Hybrid was last, dropping from 65th in 2024 to 99th in 2025. Despite President Trump’s 25% tariffs on imported vehicles, car prices averaged $48,799 in May, slightly down from April, due to dealerships selling pre-tariff stock. Experts warn prices may rise in coming months as discounts fade and tariffs persist.
Two Georgia Public Service Commission seats are on the ballot for the first time since 2020, following delays from a voting rights lawsuit. Voter turnout remains low, with only 1% participation after three weeks of early voting. Frustration over rising Georgia Power rates, fossil fuel use, and environmental concerns is fueling interest. The Democratic District 3 race includes Keisha Waites, Peter Hubbard, and Robert Jones. A runoff may occur if no candidate wins over 50%. Republican incumbent Tim Echols faces Lee Muns in District 2. Winners will serve shorter terms and face major energy policy decisions, including a proposed rate freeze.
Clayton County father of three Arterio Clements said he felt sticker shock after receiving a $400 electric bill while also paying more for other expenses such as homeowner’s insurance.
The 46-year-old Riverdale resident voted Friday for Robert Jones, a former utility executive in California in the Democratic primary for the Georgia Public Service Commission. But he said he will support whoever the Democratic nominee is this fall.
“I can’t believe how much my bill has gone up,” Clements said. “I’m doing everything I can to save money. Nothing’s going to change unless we can send a message (this) election.”
Clements’ frustration is common among many Georgians who have watched state regulators approve a series of Georgia Power rate hikes and sign off on the utility’s increased reliance on fossil fuel sources in recent years.
The Clayton County Board of Elections Registrations welcomed residents during three weeks of early voting. Stanley Dunlap/Georgia Recorder
Even so, turnout has been ultra low in the primary election for a pair of commission races on the ballot this year. After three weeks of early voting, turnout sits at 1% – with about 75,000 voters casting a ballot so far. Tuesday is the last chance to vote in the primaries.
This year’s commission races represent the first time since 2020 that voters will have a chance to change the makeup of the panel. The elections were delayed for several years due to a lawsuit challenging the statewide method for the district-based seats, which plaintiffs argued dilutes the strength of Black voters.
The commissioners have faced criticism for allowing Georgia Power to raise rates by an average of $43 per month since 2023.
Georgians who vote Tuesday will need to choose a Democratic or Republican ballot.
Unsure where your polling place is? You can check here.
Georgia’s polls will be open Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. for the Republican and Democratic primaries that will decide who will appear on the Nov. 4 ballot.
A runoff will be held July 15 between the top two vote-getters in the Democratic District 3 race if nobody receives more than 50% of votes Tuesday.
The winners of November’s election will begin their term in a year when commissioners are expected to consider requests from Georgia Power to recoup costs from storm damage and overrun fuel costs. These expenses fall outside of the proposed rate freeze announced last month.
On Tuesday’s District 3 Democratic primary ballot, three candidates are vying to challenge Republican Commissioner Fitz Johnson later this year. The Democratic candidates are Keisha Waites, a former Atlanta City Council member and ex-state representative; Peter Hubbard, founder of the clean nonprofit Center for Energy Solutions; and Robert Jones, a former utility executive in California.
Commissioners are normally elected to six-year terms, but the winners in this year’s elections will serve shorter terms to get things back on schedule after the delay. The District 3 winner will be up for election again next year, while the District 2 seat is set to go back up in 2030.
Candidates must live in a given district but are elected statewide, meaning Georgians across the state decide who represents a district on the commission.
In the District 2 Republican primary, incumbent Commissioner Tim Echols is seeking re-election to serve a third term against Lee Muns. The winner of the GOP primary will face Savannah Democrat Alicia M. Johnson in November. District 2 includes a large swath of east Georgia.
Georgia Public Service Commissioners Fitz Johnson, left, and Tim Echols listen to expert witnesses testify at May 27 hearing for Georgia Power’s 2025 long-term energy plans. Stanley Dunlap/Georgia Recorder
The metro Atlanta Democratic primary was upended June 11 when likely frontrunner Daniel Blackman was disqualified for not meeting the commission’s residency requirement. Candidates must live within the boundaries of the district for 12 months to be eligible to run for office.
The ruling means that Blackman’s votes will not be counted, potentially resulting in thousands of ballots being discarded. Voters in Georgia will be notified of Blackman’s eligibility by signs posted in voting precincts Tuesday.
In 2020, Blackman came close to winning a seat on the commission, later going on to serve as the Environmental Protection Agency’s Southeast regional administrator under the Biden administration.
Atlanta’s Joe Hornbuckle said he was aware of Blackman’s ineligibility when he voted Friday in the Democratic primary. The EMT said he’s worried about the long-term damage to the environment if state regulators allow Georgia Power to continue investing in fossil fuel energy sources.
“Why are we still using coal if there’s a way for other options that would be better,” Hornbuckle said. “I’m not the biggest expert on something like this but it makes sense to me.”
Later this summer, the commission will make key decisions on Georgia Power’s plan to invest heavily in fossil fuels and renewable energy to meet what the utility says is its forecasted demand, which is primarily driven by data centers.
Additionally, the commission is set to hold a June hearing on Georgia Power’s request to freeze its base electric rates for the next three years.
Kennesaw State University professor of political science and former Cobb County Republican Party Chair Jason Shepherd said the low turnout is disappointing but understandable, considering the election centers on a utility commission that’s not well known statewide by the average person.
Shepherd said he voted for Echols because of Echols’ efforts to promote the state’s solar and electric vehicle industries.
“Having a market-based view of green energy, rather than having the government force the hand, helps create all the incentives that allow for innovation,” Shepherd said Monday. “In addition, yes, it took forever to get Plant Vogtle online after overrun costs, but it finally happened, and that’s going to secure Georgia’s energy supply for the next several decades.”
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Georgia Recorder is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Georgia Recorder maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Jill Nolin for questions: info@georgiarecorder.com.
Note: The following A.I. based commentary is not part of the original article, reproduced above, but is offered in the hopes that it will promote greater media literacy and critical thinking, by making any potential bias more visible to the reader –Staff Editor.
Political Bias Rating: Center-Left
This content leans toward a center-left perspective as it highlights voter concerns about rising utility costs and the approval of rate hikes by regulatory commissioners, while giving attention to Democratic candidates advocating for change and clean energy solutions. The article provides critical views of fossil fuel reliance and features voters expressing frustration with current policies. However, it also includes balanced input from a Republican commissioner supporting market-based green energy initiatives, suggesting an effort at fair coverage while maintaining a slight left-leaning emphasis on consumer protection and environmental issues.
SUMMARY: As kayaking gains popularity in Augusta, safety remains a top priority, especially during the summer. Steve Wright, owner of Savannah Rapids Kayak, emphasizes the importance of knowing your route, being comfortable in water, knowing how to swim, staying hydrated, and wearing sun protection. Savannah Rapids offers two routes: a calm canal for beginners and families, and a more challenging upriver path for experienced paddlers. Life jackets are legally required, and matching kayaks to individuals is standard practice. Wright advises learning proper paddling techniques and considering a guide for rapids. On-site staff and emergency support are available for added safety.
