Video streaming platforms continue to announce changes, now it was the turn of Disney+ and Star+, which will merge into a single platform starting in June of this year.
The Walt Disney Company Latin America announced that the streaming platform Disney+ will absorb the contents of Star+. It is now known that the merger will take place on June 26.
This was confirmed after Disney announced in a press release that the Hulu and Disney+ platforms would be merged in the United States. Hulu is not available in Latin America, so much of its content comes through Star+.
Star+ is a subscription video on-demand over-the-top streaming service available in almost all Ibero-American states. The service is owned by The Walt Disney Company through the Disney Entertainment division and business segment.
The service features television and film content from the libraries of Disney subsidiaries, including Star Originals, 20th Television, 20th Television Animation, Searchlight Television, 20th Century Studios, 20th Century Animation (films only), ABC Signature, Freeform, FX Networks, Hollywood Pictures, Hotstar, Hulu, National Geographic, Searchlight Pictures, Touchstone Pictures and many more, as well as live sports from ESPN.
The enhanced experience also includes significant advancements to the Disney+ app in a variety of areas, including personalization, viewing experience, search and more.
Users will be able to enjoy content such as The Bear, American Horror Story, Family Guy or even Atlanta, all on a single streaming platform.
After the merger of both platforms into one, there will be three subscription plans, Premium, Standard and Standard with ads, still without confirmed prices.
It is worth mentioning that currently, Disney Plus is priced at 179 pesos per month, but if you have the combo that includes Star Plus, it increases to 269 pesos.
It is expected that as time goes by, all the guidelines for this merger between Disney+ and Star+ in Mexico will be announced, so we will have to be on the lookout for further information.
This announcement comes after Amazon Prime Video recently announced an extra charge policy to avoid commercials in its content, not to mention the new guidelines of Netflix and Disney+, who decided to make changes to avoid the use of shared accounts.
By: Terri Williams
Feb. 6, 2024 -- For many legitimate reasons, social media is often high on a parent's list of digital concerns. From online predators to privacy, there's genuinely a lot of questionable stuff for children and teens to navigate. Enjoying social media wisely can also give kids a sense of connection, fun, and creativity. If a caregiver is involved in a kid's digital life, it prepares them for how to handle negative online situations. Talks about protecting privacy and being kind can go a long way toward a more positive social media experience. And if kids can avoid endless scrolling and comparing themselves to others, and instead focus on friendship and creativity, it may actually give them a boost instead of being a downer.
Recently, U.S. lawmakers have accused Meta's Mark Zuckerberg and four other big tech bosses of having "blood on (their) hands"; allegations have surfaced that up to 100,000 children a day using Facebook and Instagram in 2022 were exposed to online sexual harassment, including pictures of adult genitalia. Lawmakers have introduced legislation to protect teens and children online. Below are some of bills that have been introduced to help parents feel better about allowing their children to use social media.
S.1418 — Children and Teens’ Online Privacy Protection Act
Introduced in House (11/01/2023)
A bill to amend the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998 (COPPA) to strengthen protections relating to the online collection, use, and disclosure of personal information of children and teens, and for other purposes. This changes some of the language regarding what platforms are under COPPA rules to include social media and mobile apps.
Status: Senate - 12/13/2023 Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 288
S.1291 - Protecting Kids on Social Media Act
Sen. Schatz, Brian [D-HI] (Introduced 04/26/2023)
H.R.-6149 Protecting Kids on Social Media Act
Rep. James, John [R-MI-10] and Rep. Ryan, Patrick [D-NY-18] Committees: House - Energy and Commerce
This bill requires social media platforms to verify the age of account holders and limits access to such platforms by children.
Specifically, social media platforms (1) must verify the age of account holders, (2) may not allow an individual to create or continue to use an account unless the individual's age has been verified, and (3) must limit access to the platform for children under the age of 13. Social media platforms may not use or retain any information collected during the age verification process for any other purpose.
Further, platforms must take reasonable steps to (1) require affirmative consent from the parent or guardian of a minor who is at least 13 years old to create an account for the minor on the platform, and (2) provide the parent or guardian with the ability to revoke such consent. Social media platforms may not use the personal data of an individual in an algorithmic recommendation system unless the individual is at least 18 years old according to the platform's age verification process.The bill requires the Department of Commerce to establish a voluntary pilot program to provide secure digital identification credentials for individuals to use when verifying their age on social media platforms. Commerce may issue rules for social media companies to enroll in the program. The bill provides for enforcement by the Federal Trade Commission and state attorneys general (or other authorized state officials).
Status: House - 11/03/2023 Referred to the Subcommittee on Innovation, Data, and Commerce.
Text - H.R.6149 - 118th Congress (2023-2024): Protecting Kids on Social Media Act. (2023, November 3). https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/6149/text
Text - S.1291 - 118th Congress (2023-2024): Protecting Kids on Social Media Act. (2023, April 26). https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/1291/text
Safe Social Media Act
H.R.4826 - Safe Social Media Act
S.687 - Safe Social Media Act
Rep. Bentz, Cliff [R-OR-2] (Introduced 07/24/2023) Committees: House - Energy and Commerce
This bill requires a study on the use of social media platforms among individuals under age 18. A social media platform is a public-facing website, internet application, or mobile internet application (e.g., social network, search engine, or email service) with at least 30 million active monthly users in the United States.
Status: House - 07/28/2023 Referred to the Subcommittee on Innovation, Data, and Commerce.
Actions - H.R.4826 - 118th Congress (2023-2024): Safe Social Media Act. (2023, July 28). https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/4826/actions
S.687 - 118th Congress (2023-2024): Safe Social Media Act. (2023, March 7). https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/687
S.410 - Federal Social Media Research Act - 118th Congress (2023-2024)
Sponsor: Sen. Hawley, Josh [R-MO] (Introduced 02/14/2023) Committees: Senate - Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
This bill provides funding for a short-term study and a long-term study on the physical and mental health effects of using social media technologies on users who are under the age of 18. It also authorizes the Government Accountability Office to conduct the studies, including in partnership with any other federal agency. The bill specifies that the aim of the studies is to assess the relationship between patterns of social media use and suicide, anxiety, depression, and other medical conditions.
Status: Senate - 02/14/2023 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
S.410 - 118th Congress (2023-2024): Federal Social Media Research Act. (2023, February 14). https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/410
H.R.821 - Social Media Child Protection Act
Sponsor:Rep. Stewart, Chris [R-UT-2] (Introduced 02/02/2023) Committees: House - Energy and Commerce
This bill limits access to social media platforms by children and requires all individuals to verify their age before accessing such platforms.
Specifically, a social media platform may not permit children under the age of 16 to access the platform. In addition, a social media platform must require all individuals to verify their age by providing a valid identity document (e.g., government-issued identification) or using another reasonable verification method before accessing the platform. The platforms must also establish and maintain reasonable procedures to protect the confidentiality, security, and integrity of the personal information of users and prospective users.The bill provides for enforcement by the Federal Trade Commission, state attorneys general, and private right of action.
Status: House - 02/10/2023 Referred to the Subcommittee on Innovation, Data, and Commerce.
H.R.821 - 118th Congress (2023-2024): Social Media Child Protection Act. (2023, February 10). https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/821
Beginning January 1, 2025, this law would prohibit a social media platform, as defined, from knowingly facilitating, aiding, or abetting commercial sexual exploitation, as specified. The bill would require a court to award statutory damages not exceeding $4,000,000 and not less than $1,000,000 for each act of commercial sexual exploitation facilitated, aided, or abetted by the social media platform. The bill would define “facilitate, aid, or abet” to mean to deploy a system, design, feature, or affordance that is a substantial factor in causing minor users to be victims of commercial sexual exploitation. This law was chaptered by the Secretary of State - 579, Statutes of 2023 in October.
Utah
The Utah Social Media Regulation Act states that social media platforms will have to conduct age verification for all Utah residents, ban all ads for minors and impose a curfew, making their sites off limits between the hours of 10:30 p.m. - 6:30 a.m. for anyone under the age of 18. The bill will also require social platforms to give parents access to their teens’ accounts. The legislation, which was introduced by Republican Sen. Michael McKell and passed by Republican Governor Spencer Cox, will go into effect on March 1, 2024.
Set up Google SafeSearch on computers, phones, and other iOS or Android devices your child uses.
Check the filters every now and then. These filters can be pretty easy for children to turn off, so make sure they're still working properly.
Use parental controls
Parental controls on phones and other devices can let you block specific apps and websites. You can also make shared family accounts that are password protected.
For Phones and Tablets
If you use Apple devices: Use the Screen Time option to restrict explicit apps, websites, games, and more. This includes movies and TV shows that aren't age appropriate for your child.
If you use Android devices: Set up parental controls on Google Play. This will prevent your child from downloading apps that aren't age appropriate for them. You can also use the Google Family Link app to set filters on websites and apps.
For Desktops and Laptops
If you use Mac: Choose restrictions for what your child can play, search, and download with the Screen Time program.
If you use PC: Check out Microsoft Family Safety to set website and search filters on Windows.
If you use a Chromebook: You can use the Google Family Link app to block sexually explicit or violent content and manage which websites your child can visit.
Ask your internet service provider (ISP)
Depending on your service, these settings can apply to TV channels as well as the internet. These programs may cost money.
Check the website or call your ISP. See if your internet company offers parental controls, content filters, or other screen-time features. These can effectively limit exposure to pornography.
List of Porn Blocker apps:
1. FamiSafe
2. BlockerX – Porn Blocker
3. Safe Surfer
4. OurPact
5. Kidslox
6. xBlock
7. Porn Block Plus
8. Porn Blocker
9. Shield Porn Blocker
10. Bulldog Blocker – Porn Filter
Common Sense Media Responses
According to the terms of service, you have to be 13, but there's no age-verification process, so it's very easy for kids under 13 to sign up. Common Sense rates Instagram for age 15 and up because of mature content, access to strangers, marketing ploys, and data collection. Check out Common Sense Media's social media rules for high schoolers.
Instagram accounts are public by default, so the first thing to do is make your kid's account private. To do this, go to Settings from the profile page. Select Privacy and toggle on Private Account. With a private account, only people you approve can see what you post. You get a lot of options in the Privacy section—and you should spend some time here if you're helping your kid set up their first account. You can't lock Privacy settings, though, so be aware that kids can change them back. A few more key Instagram privacy settings:
If both parties opt in to the Family Center feature, adults can get updates about who their 13- to 17-year-old kids follow and are followed by, receive notifications if their child reports other users, and set usage limits by day or for specific times of day. They can also view their child's privacy, messaging, and sensitive content settings and get an update if their child changes any of them.
A Sensitive Content Control lets users choose how much potentially upsetting or offensive content—such as material containing violence or individuals in see-through clothing—you'll see from accounts you don't follow. This setting affects content seen in your feed, as well as the Explore, Search, and Reels areas of the app. According to the app, some of this material will be automatically filtered out if you're under 18. In January 2024, Meta announced that they will restrict harmful content for users under 18. This includes posts related to suicide, self-harm, and eating disorders.
By: Terri Williams
BOSTON, Oct. 26, 2023 -- Gupta Media, a leading performance marketing company, unveiled its first "State of Social Media CPM Report" for 2023. The report is based on an analysis of tens of billions of ad impressions and its comprehensive analysis offers insight into the cost dynamics of digital advertising across social media platforms.
Overall ad price volatility being reported as an issue with one ad executive recently stating, " It was like burning through money, navigating a volatile digital ad landscape." Couple that with other advertising letdowns such as Netflix's debut year as an "ad seller " which didn't inspire confidence in streaming, social and other digital media platforms as dependable marketing avenues. It reveals an uninspiring countenance, with the eye-bulging ad prices leaving digital advertising looking less than impressive.
However, Meta surprised reporting that its net profit rose 164% to touch $11.58 billion for the quarter ended September 30 as compared to $4.4 billion during the same period last year. The Menlo Park-headquartered company is experiencing a revenue surge of 23%, in the fastest rate of growth that the company has seen since 2021. Google parent Alphabet said in its earnings report that ad revenue increased about 9.5%, while Snap reported revenue growth of 5%.
In the third quarter of 2023, ad impressions delivered across the Meta Family of Apps increased by 31% year-over-year and the average price per ad decreased by 6% year-over-year. Meta, with its group of popular apps, namely WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook, is ahead of the competition when it comes to the ads business, which was what fueled its growth in Q3.
Key Takeaways include:
State of Social Media CPM Report details important information such as:
The report does not cover the affect of advertising fraud on overall cost per impression or CPM or ad bidding. A lucrative business for crime gangs, it concerns the use of fake social media and other online ads that coax users into paying for a product or service that does not exist.
The report also does not cover that despite all of the fuss about the data privacy changes and challenges that came along with Apple's crackdown on in-app tracking in 2021, direct-to-consumer (DTC) advertisers seem, in large part, to have reverted back to Meta and Google.
The Company Behind the Success
Statista is a global data and business intelligence platform with an extensive collection of statistics, reports, and insights on over 80,000 topics from 22,500 sources in 170 industries.
Established in Germany in 2007, Statista operates in 13 locations worldwide and employs around 1,100 professionals.
As pioneers in shaping the future of the data economy, our ultimate goal is to create a world that is more transparent, reliable, and trustworthy. We strive to empower fact-based decision-making that positively impacts society.
Statistica, empowering people with data.
By Terri Williams
LONDON, Aug. 31, 2023 -- Hornetsecurity has launched The Security Swarm podcast series to inform consumers and business owners on the latest cybersecurity issues. The weekly show, hosted by Hornetsecurity's Andy Syrewicze, brings together experts from across the cybersecurity sector to discuss industry challenges, how businesses can overcome ever-changing threats, and future cybersecurity issues. The podcast’s inception came about because the world of cybersecurity should not be taken on alone.
The informative and educational series has already looked at topics such as AI and whether ChatGPT could conduct a cyberattack, discussions around Hornetsecurity's recent compliance survey, as well as a conversation with Microsoft Certified Trainer on how secure Microsoft 365 actually is. Hornetsecurity is a leading global provider of next-generation cloud-based security, compliance, backup, and security awareness solutions that help companies and organizations of all sizes around the world. Hornetsecurity aim is building a safer digital future and sustainable security cultures.
Hornetsecurity CEO Daniel Hofmann stated, "The Security Swarm podcast launch has been incredibly successful and delivers insightful conversations about the biggest cybersecurity challenges facing businesses today. This podcast is one of many new approaches we have introduced to support and educate cybersecurity decision-makers across the world."
The podcast can be listened to via the Hornetsecurity website and is also available to download on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.
By Terri Williams
Common Sense Media, best known for its award-winning, research-backed ratings and reviews of movies, TV shows, books announced yesterday that it has added podcasts to its expansive library of content geared toward kids and families. The new product is the first of its kind in the market to provide consumers with comprehensive podcast ratings and reviews that are grounded in child-development principles and research.
Common Sense Media first entered the podcast space in 2021 in collaboration with Apple Podcasts by curating kid-friendly podcast collections by age and theme. The first phase of the new ratings and reviews product will primarily focus on podcasts targeted toward kids and families but will eventually expand to include titles for broader audiences. The content adheres to Common Sense Media's existing ratings and review guidelines, highlighting the key elements of educational value, Co-listening qualities, diverse and genuine representations through content and audio quality and length.
"It's very clear the podcast world is growing, but what's less obvious is how impactful and innovative kids and family podcasts are and will continue to be as they expand and evolve," said Laura Ordoñez, Common Sense Media, Head of Podcast Ratings and Reviews. "Our goal is to help parents and educators navigate the kids podcast space, to give them the tools they need to decide what podcasts work best for their kids, families, and classrooms. And most importantly to help them adopt and embrace this incredibly diverse and dynamic media format as both an educational and entertainment resource for kids and families."
Podcasts are fast becoming a valuable media resource for families and educators. For families, podcasts offer screen-free entertainment options that are excellent for experiencing together, and for educators, they can help to improve students' learning both in and out of the classroom. According to recent research by Common Sense Media on media use by teens and tweens, nearly half (45%) of all 13- to 18-year-olds surveyed reported listening to podcasts, and one in five said they do so at least once a week. Other research estimates that listenership among all Americans could increase from 75.9 million to 100 million listeners in the United States by 2024.
The non-profit research organization will also award its Common Sense Selection Seal distinction to a number of selected podcasts. The selection program acknowledges content producers that demonstrate the highest editorial principles for overall quality based on entertainment value, engagement, and influence, along with worthwhile themes, messages, and role models.
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