local
More than half of social media child safety features aren’t working as advertised, new research finds
By CNN Newsource at KVIA ABC-7
· June 29, 2026
· 8 min read
By Clare Duffy, CNN
New York (CNN) — 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 don’t work as advertised, new research finds.
Researchers at the C...
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 El Paso
For El Paso families, the findings of this research are particularly concerning, given the city's high rate of social media usage among young people. As parents and caregivers in El Paso navigate the complex world of online safety, they need to be aware that many of the safety features they rely on may not be working as intended. This raises questions about the effectiveness of local initiatives aimed at promoting online safety and digital literacy among El Paso's youth. The city's schools and community organizations may need to reassess their approaches to educating children about online safety, and consider providing additional resources and support to help families protect their children from online harms. Furthermore, the potential for federal regulation of social media companies could have significant implications for El Paso's online community, and local leaders should be paying close attention to developments in this area.
About this story
Original reporting by KVIA ABC-7 . The El Paso 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 KVIA ABC-7 . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 29, 2026 ·
Source: KVIA ABC-7 ·
Reading time: 8 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? By Clare Duffy, CNN
New York (CNN) — 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 don’t work as advertised, new research finds.
Researchers at the C...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 29, 2026 by KVIA ABC-7 and curated for The El Paso readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by CNN Newsource at KVIA ABC-7. To learn more about how The El Paso selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The El Paso, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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