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Arkansas sues YouTube, accuses platform of harming kids’ mental health

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Arkansas sues YouTube, accuses platform of harming kids’ mental health


Arkansas has filed a lawsuit against YouTube and parent company Alphabet, alleging the platform has contributed to a mental health crisis facing the state’s youth.

The lawsuit, filed by Attorney General Tim Griffin in Arkansas state court, accuses YouTube of violating state laws on deceptive trade practices and public nuisance. The state argues that the platform’s addictive nature has forced Arkansas to spend millions of dollars on mental health services for its youth.

The lawsuit also asserts that YouTube exploits children’s dopamine responses by feeding them harmful content. “YouTube amplifies harmful material, doses users with dopamine hits, and drives youth engagement and advertising revenue,” the lawsuit says. “As a result, youth mental health problems have advanced in lockstep with the growth of social media, and in particular, YouTube.”

While the lawsuit does not specify the amount of damages sought, Arkansas is asking the court to require YouTube to fund prevention, education and treatment programs aimed at curbing excessive social media use among children.

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In response, Alphabet’s Google denied the lawsuit’s claims, with spokesperson Jose Castaneda saying: “Providing young people with a safer, healthier experience has always been core to our work. In collaboration with youth, mental health and parenting experts, we built services and policies to provide young people with age-appropriate experiences, and parents with robust controls. The allegations in this complaint are simply not true.”

The Arkansas lawsuit claims YouTube’s algorithm steers children toward harmful adult content and that the platform facilitates the spread of child sexual abuse material.

According to YouTube, it requires users younger than age 17 to get their parents’ permission before using the site, while accounts for users younger than 13 must be linked to a parental account. However, it is possible to watch YouTube without an account, and kids can easily lie about their age.

Newsweek reached out to YouTube via email for comment on Monday.

An iPad with the YouTube logo is pictured on an Apple MacBook Pro. Arkansas has filed a lawsuit against YouTube and its parent company, alleging the platform has played a role in a mental health…


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Monday’s lawsuit comes after Arkansas also enacted a law requiring parental consent for minors to create new social media accounts, though that measure has been blocked by a federal judge.

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The suit is part of a broader movement by state and federal lawmakers to hold social media platforms accountable for their impact on young users. U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy this year called for warnings on social media platforms similar to those required on cigarette packaging, highlighting the potential harm to children’s mental health.

Alongside TikTok, YouTube is among the most popular platforms for children and teens, but it has faced criticism for hosting content that promotes gun violence, self-harm and eating disorders.

In response to these ongoing concerns and criticisms, YouTube in June updated its policies to restrict videos showing firearm modifications and homemade weapons, with these videos now limited to users age 18 and older.

This article includes reporting from the Associated Press.

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Kingston author’s new book debunks Arkansas’ graveyard myths | Arkansas Democrat Gazette

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Kingston author’s new book debunks Arkansas’ graveyard myths | Arkansas Democrat Gazette


Bill Bowden

bbowden@nwaonline.com

Bill Bowden covers a variety of news for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, primarily in Northwest Arkansas. He has worked at the newspaper for 16 years and previously worked for both the Arkansas Democrat and Arkansas Gazette.

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Arkansas Razorbacks vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders odds, picks and predictions

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Arkansas Razorbacks vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders odds, picks and predictions


The No. 17 Arkansas Razorbacks (7-2) and No. 16 Texas Tech Red Raiders (7-2) meet Saturday at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. Tip-off is set for noon ET (ESPN2). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NCAA basketball odds around the Arkansas vs. Texas Tech odds and make our expert college basketball picks and predictions for the best bets.

Arkansas earned its second straight win last Saturday, rolling past the Fresno State Bulldogs 82-58. It covered as a 20-point home favorite, and the Under (160.5) hit. Arkansas controlled the game defensively, forcing 17 turnovers and holding the Bulldogs to 15% (4-for-26) shooting from 3-point range. G Darius Acuff Jr. led the way with 18 points, 8 assists, 5 rebounds and a steal.

Texas Tech extended its winning streak to 3 games Sunday with an 82-58 win over the LSU Tigers. The Red Raiders covered as 5.5-point home favorites, and the Under (153.5) cashed. Texas Tech locked in defensively, holding LSU to 17% (4-for-24) shooting from 3-point range. G Christian Anderson led all players with 27 points, 8 assists, 5 rebounds and 2 steals. F LeJuan Watts provided a double-double (15 points and 10 rebounds) off the bench.

Texas Tech and Arkansas last met March 27 in the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16. The Red Raiders survived an 85-83 OT win, while Arkansas covered as a 5.5-point underdog. The total pushed past the number, cashing the Over.

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– Rankings: USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll

Watch NCAA basketball on Fubo!

Arkansas vs. Texas Tech odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:49 a.m. ET.

  • Moneyline (ML): Arkansas -102 (bet $102 to win $100) | Texas Tech -118 (bet $118 to win $100)
  • Against the spread (ATS): Arkansas +1.5 (-115) | Texas Tech -1.5 (-105)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 157.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)

Arkansas vs. Texas Tech picks and predictions

Prediction

Arkansas 76, Texas Tech 73

BET ARKANSAS (-102).

This is a rematch the Razorbacks haven’t forgotten. They had Texas Tech on the ropes in the Sweet 16 last March before watching it slip away late, and this feels like a clear revenge spot on a neutral floor in Dallas.

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What I like most is Arkansas’ backcourt. The Razorbacks are quicker, more dynamic and better equipped to control tempo, especially with Acuff starting to look more comfortable running the offense. When Arkansas is at its best, the ball is in its guards’ hands, pushing pace and creating pressure, and that’s an area where Texas Tech can struggle.

The Razorbacks’ losses this season have come against strong competition, and they were competitive in each one. Texas Tech, meanwhile, has been more uneven. The Red Raiders handled LSU, but they’ve also been blown out and pushed around by other quality opponents.

In a tight, high-energy matchup, I’ll trust the deeper roster, the fresher legs in the backcourt and the team with something to prove. Arkansas is the side for me.

PASS.

No need to play around with the spread when you can get the Razorback at plus odds on the moneyline.

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BET UNDER 157.5 (-115).

Texas Tech leans on physical half-court defense, while Arkansas defends cleanly without sending teams to the line and ranks 28th nationally in 3-point defense. The Under has hit in 6 of Texas Tech’s last 7 games and 6 of Arkansas’ last 8, making this a strong trend-based spot.

For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook.

College sports coverage from USA TODAY Sports Media Group:

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Arkansas’ U.S. senators talk with farmers, map out timeline for assistance | Arkansas Democrat Gazette

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Arkansas’ U.S. senators talk with farmers, map out timeline for assistance | Arkansas Democrat Gazette


Cristina LaRue

clarue@adgnewsroom.com

Cristina LaRue covers agriculture for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. She started her career as a journalist in 2017, covering business and education for the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal, later covering the crime and courts beats near the U.S.-Mexico border for the USA Today network, and education for the El Paso Times. She is a graduate of Texas State University.

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