local
More than half of social media child safety features aren’t working, per report
By Clare Duffy at KXXV (ABC 25) 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 Waco
For Waco parents, the findings of the Cybersafety Research Center's report are particularly concerning, given the widespread use of social media among local youth. As the city's schools and community organizations work to promote online safety and digital literacy, the revelation that many child safety features are ineffective raises questions about the adequacy of these efforts. The fact that more than half of the tested features did not work as advertised suggests that local families may need to take a more proactive approach to monitoring their children's online activities. Furthermore, the report's conclusions may inform the development of local policies and initiatives aimed at protecting young people from the potential harms of social media, and could potentially influence the way Waco's schools and community groups approach online safety education.
About this story
Original reporting by KXXV (ABC 25) News . The Waco 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 KXXV (ABC 25) News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 29, 2026 ·
Source: KXXV (ABC 25) 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 KXXV (ABC 25) News and curated for The Waco readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Clare Duffy at KXXV (ABC 25) News. To learn more about how The Waco selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Waco, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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