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<keyword id="19896018" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Kerala" source="keywords">Kerala</keyword> is on high alert following the death of a 14-year-old boy from <keyword id="20824677" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="malappuram" source="keywords">Malappuram</keyword> district due to the <keyword id="21881533" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Nipah-virus" source="keywords">Nipah virus</keyword>. To prevent the situation from escalating further, the central government has stepped in to assist the <keyword id="73082" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="kerala-government" source="Orion">Kerala government</keyword> and safeguard the public. A zoonotic illness, the <keyword id="20197512" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="nipah" source="keywords">Nipah</keyword> virus,infection is transmitted from animals like pigs and fruit bats to humans, as well as through contaminated food and contact with an infected person. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has even flagged the virus as a priority pathogen due to its epidemic potential. The boy from Malappuram showed symptoms of acute encephalitis syndrome (AES) and was initially treated in Perinthalmanna before being transferred to a higher health centre Kozhikode. The National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune subsequently confirmed the <keyword id="22489646" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Nipah-virus-infection" source="keywords">Nipah virus infection</keyword>. In response, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) sent monoclonal antibodies for patient management and a mobile Biosafety Level-3 (BSL-3) laboratory for testing additional samples from contacts. Unfortunately, the boy's “poor general condition” prevented the administration of the antibodies. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Health ministry advises Kerala to take four immediate public health measures" comment="subhead" text="Health ministry advises Kerala to take four immediate public health measures"><keyword id="19896140" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="health-ministry" source="keywords">Health ministry</keyword> advises Kerala to take four immediate public health measures</cmsannotation> The 14-year-old’s demise in Malappuram has triggered an urgent public health response from the Centre, with the Union health ministry advising Kerala to take four immediate health measures to ensure public safety. They are as follows: 1. Active Case Search: The state government should begin active case searches within the family of the confirmed case, the neighbourhood and other areas with similar topography to identify any additional cases. This proactive approach will help in early detection and containment. 2. Contact Tracing: The state should trace contacts the identified case had over the past 12 days. This includes monitoring these contacts for symptoms and taking steps to prevent further spread of the virus. Detailed records of interactions and movements of the infected individual will be crucial. 3. Quarantine and Isolation: Contacts of the confirmed case should be strictly quarantined, and any suspects showing symptoms should be isolated. This measure is essential to contain the virus and prevent it from spreading within the community. 4. Sample Collection and Testing: Samples from potential contacts and suspects should be collected and transported for laboratory testing. This ensures early detection and allows for a swift response to any new cases that may arise. To assist the Kerala government, a multi-member joint outbreak response team from the National ‘<keyword id="15536661" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="One-Health-Mission" source="Orion">One Health Mission</keyword>’ will be deployed. This team will help investigate the case, identify epidemiological linkages and provide technical support. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="111771996" title="What is the Chandipura virus that has already claimed the lives of 6 children in Gujarat?" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>Meanwhile, Kerala Health Minister Veena George has confirmed that an additional 60 people have been identified as high-risk for contracting the disease. Amid this situation, residents in vulnerable areas have been instructed to take precautions, such as wearing masks in public and avoiding hospital visits. The Nipah virus has been linked to dozens of deaths in Kerala since its first report in 2018. The state has faced multiple outbreaks, with the most recent occurring in 2023 in Kozhikode district.

Nipah virus: Health Ministry instructs Kerala to enforce four immediate safety measures following 14-year-old's death

In a landmark judgement, the <keyword id="19900742" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Supreme-Court-of-India" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Supreme Court of India" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Supreme Court of India">Supreme Court of India</keyword> has broadened the definition of crimes under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The court ruled that simply viewing <keyword id="20456028" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="child-pornography" source="keywords">child pornography</keyword> on the internet, without physically possessing or storing the material, is now a criminal offence under Section 15 of the <keyword id="19920672" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="POCSO-Act" source="keywords">POCSO Act</keyword> and provisions of the <keyword id="19930099" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="information-technology" source="keywords">Information Technology</keyword> (IT) Act. This ruling significantly expands the scope of the law to address the evolving challenges posed by digital platforms. <h2>A wider net</h2>In its ruling, a bench comprising Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud and Justice J.B. Pardiwala stated, "Any act of viewing, distributing, or displaying child pornographic material by a person over the internet without any actual or physical possession or storage of such material in any device or in any form or manner would also amount to 'possession' in terms of Section 15 of POCSO Act." This interpretation effectively settled conflicting verdicts from various high courts, notably overturning a Madras High Court decision that had quashed a POCSO case against an individual who had viewed child pornography but had not circulated it. The Supreme Court, in agreeing with senior advocate H.S. Phoolka's arguments, deemed the earlier judgement "egregiously erroneous." <h2>Crimes categorised</h2>In a further clarification, the Supreme Court divided crimes related to child pornography under Section 15 of the POCSO Act into three distinct categories. The decision emphasised that law enforcement and courts must carefully assess each case to determine the specific category under which an offence falls. One critical insight from the judgement is that an offender cannot escape prosecution by simply deleting illegal content before an FIR is registered. The bench declared, "We clarify that there is no requirement under Section 15 of POCSO Act that ‘storage’ or ‘possession’ must continue to exist at the time of initiation of the criminal proceeding, and no such requirement can be read into the said provision." <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="113417654" title="“Learned no lessons from Nirbhaya case”: Madhya Pradesh High Court criticises lenient treatment of crime-accused juvies in India" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>This means that even if an individual deletes the material before the authorities take action, they may still face <keyword id="20554971" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="legal-consequences" source="keywords">legal consequences</keyword> based on the mere act of viewing or temporary possession. <h2><keyword id="23293250" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="automatic-downloads" source="keywords">Automatic downloads</keyword></h2>Acknowledging the complexities of <keyword id="20573374" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="digital-media" source="keywords">digital media</keyword>, the Supreme Court recognised that certain child pornographic content might be automatically downloaded onto devices without the user’s knowledge. To address this, the court created a safeguard for those unaware of the offensive material stored on their devices. If a person discovers such material on their device through automatic downloads, they will not be prosecuted if they take immediate steps to delete it and report it to the authorities. However, the onus is on the device owner to act swiftly. Failure to delete or report the offensive material after becoming aware of it would constitute an offence under the law. To avoid the automatic downloading of problematic material, there are several proactive measures you can take. First, adjust your browser settings to disable automatic downloads and pop-ups, ensuring you have to approve any file before it is downloaded to your device. Regularly update your web browser and security software to benefit from the latest protections against malicious websites. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="113146443" title="Karnataka HC rejects school teacher&amp;#39;s plea to quash POCSO case over filming of girl students" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>Additionally, be cautious about the sites you visit, particularly those that seem suspicious or unfamiliar; stick to well-known, reputable sources. Additionally, consider using ad blockers or content filters that can prevent potentially harmful content from loading. Always be mindful of any unsolicited links in emails or messages, as these can lead to automatic downloads of unwanted material. Lastly, routinely monitor your device for any unfamiliar files and promptly delete anything that looks suspicious to minimise your risk of unknowingly storing problematic content. <h2>What this means for the future</h2>This judgement sends a clear message: India is taking a zero-tolerance approach toward child pornography in all its forms, whether stored, distributed, or merely viewed. The ruling adapts the legal framework to modern challenges, ensuring that perpetrators can no longer hide behind technicalities such as the absence of physical possession. The Supreme Court’s interpretation also places a burden on individuals to exercise responsibility in the digital world. Anyone who stumbles upon child pornography, whether intentionally or accidentally, must take swift action to avoid legal consequences. (With inputs from agencies)

You can now be prosecuted for unknowingly “auto-downloading” child porn. Here’re some safe browsing habits

Amid an increased scrutiny over the alleged proliferation of sexual abuse content about children on its platform, <keyword id="399907" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="meta" source="Orion">Meta</keyword> has said it is expanding and updating its <keyword id="6361460" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="child-safety" source="Orion">child safety</keyword> features aimed at protecting kids. The company said that in addition to developing technology to tackle this abuse, it hires specialists dedicated to online child safety and sharing information with industry peers and law enforcement. "Predators don't limit their attempts to harm children to online spaces, so it's vital that we work together to stop predators and prevent child exploitation," the company said in a statement late on Friday. Meta said it takes recent allegations about the effectiveness of its work very seriously, and "created a task force to review existing policies, examine technology and enforcement systems we have in place, and make changes that strengthen our protections for young people, ban predators, and remove the networks they use to connect with one another". The task force took immediate steps to strengthen its protections, and child safety teams continue to work on additional measures, the company added. The Wall Street Journal recently detailed how <keyword id="819905" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="instagram" source="Orion">Instagram</keyword> and Facebook show inappropriate and sexual child-related content to users. In June, the report detailed how Instagram connects a network of accounts buying and selling child sexual abuse material (CSAM), guiding them to each other via its recommendations algorithm. A follow-up investigation published on Friday showed how the problem extends to Facebook Groups, where there's an ecosystem of pedophile accounts and groups, some with as many as 800,000 members. Meta said that on Instagram, potentially suspicious adults will be prevented from following one another, will not be recommended to each other in places like Explore and Reels, and will not be shown comments from one another on public posts, among other things. "On Facebook, we're using this technology to better find and address certain Groups, Pages and Profiles," said the company. Additionally, Groups whose membership overlaps with other Groups that were removed for violating our child safety policies will not be shown in Search. "We're sending Instagram accounts that exhibit potentially suspicious behaviour to our content reviewers and we'll automatically disable these accounts if they exhibit enough of the 60+ signals we monitor," said the company. After launching a new automated enforcement effort in September, "we saw five times as many automated deletions of Instagram Lives that contained adult nudity and sexual activity." "We actioned over 4 million Reels per month, across Facebook and Instagram globally, for violating our policies," said Meta.

Meta expanding child safety measures as scrutiny mounts

<keyword id="22223326" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="street-food-lovers" source="keywords">Street food lovers</keyword> in Karnataka, particularly <keyword id="21301713" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="pani-puri" source="keywords">pani puri</keyword> enthusiasts, have reason to be cautious. A recent inspection by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (<keyword id="20225209" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="FSSAI" source="keywords">FSSAI</keyword>) has revealed concerning results. Nearly 22% of pani puri samples collected from across the state failed to meet safety standards. A few days after banning artificial food colouring in kebabs across Karnataka, <keyword id="21070182" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="food-safety-officials" source="keywords">food safety officials</keyword> went after the pani puri stalls littered throughout the state and even more established eateries. FSSAI reportedly collected pani puri samples randomly from 79 places across Karnataka, with 49 of them being from various parts of Bengaluru. The FSSAI received numerous complaints regarding the quality of pani puri being sold across Karnataka, said Srinivas K, Commissioner of Food Safety, in a press release. To address these concerns, we conducted inspections at various eateries, from roadside stalls to established restaurants. RELATED: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/health/news/karnataka-health-department-bans-use-of-artificial-food-colouring-in-kebabs-imposes-hefty-fine-of-10-lakhs/articleshow/111250040.cms">Karnataka Health Department bans use of artificial food colouring in kebabs; imposes hefty fine of 10 lakhs!</a> The inspections resulted in a worrying discovery. Of the 260 samples collected, 41 were found to contain artificial colouring agents and potentially cancer-causing chemicals in the sauce and meetha chilli powder, rendering them unfit for consumption. An additional 18 samples were deemed to be of poor quality. The FSSAI identified chemicals like brilliant blue, sunset yellow, and tartrazine as the primary culprits in the unsafe pani puri. Experts have spoken about the potential health risks associated with these artificial colorings, suggesting that exposure to these chemicals can lead to a range of health problems. These can range from simple stomach upsets to more serious conditions like heart disease and even some autoimmune disorders. The FSSAI is currently analysing the test results to understand the full impact of these chemicals on public health. They are also collaborating with the Karnataka Health Department to explore potential enforcement measures against offenders. Srinivas K said that they are committed to ensuring food safety across the state, and are studying the data and exploring various options to improve food safety standards, particularly at smaller eateries. This pani puri incident is not an isolated case. The FSSAI had previously banned the use of artificial colours in kebabs, gobi manchurian, and cotton candy due to similar concerns. The FSSAI advises consumers to exercise caution when purchasing street food and inquire about ingredients before consumption. They are also encouraging the public to report any suspected violations of food safety standards.

Food safety officials in Karnataka report cancer-causing agents and artificial colours in pani puri samples

<ul class="summary-list"><li>An ex-OpenAI employee said the firm is going down the path of the Titanic with its safety decisions.</li><li>William Saunders warned of the hubris around the safety of the Titanic, which had been deemed "unsinkable."</li></ul>A former safety employee at OpenAI said the company is following in the footsteps of White Star Line, the company that built the Titanic."I really didn't want to end up working for the Titanic of AI, and so that's why I resigned," said William Saunders, who worked for three years as a member of technical staff on <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/jan-leike-ilya-sutskever-resignations-superalignment-openai-superintelligence-safe-humanity-2024-5">OpenAI's superalignment team.</a>He was speaking on an <a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzQlRt3y5mU&amp;ab_channel=AlexKantrowitz">episode of tech YouTuber Alex Kantrowitz's podcast</a>, released on July 3."During my three years at OpenAI, I would sometimes ask myself a question. Was the path that OpenAI was on more like the Apollo program or more like the Titanic?" he said.The software engineer's concerns stem largely from OpenAI's plan to achieve Artificial General Intelligence — the point where AI can teach itself — while also debuting paid products."They're on this trajectory to change the world, and yet when they release things, their priorities are more like a product company. And I think that is what is most unsettling," Saunders said.<h2 id="25a42c19-2982-4517-addf-6a1881609025">Apollo vs Titanic</h2>As Saunders spent more time at OpenAI, he felt leaders were making decisions more akin to "building the Titanic, prioritizing getting out newer, shinier products."He would have much preferred a mood like the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/every-nasa-apollo-mission-in-history-explained-2018-12">Apollo space program's,</a> which he characterized as an example of an ambitious project that "was about carefully predicting and assessing risks" while pushing scientific limits."Even when big problems happened, like Apollo 13, they had enough sort of like redundancy, and were able to adapt to the situation in order to bring everyone back safely," he said.The Titanic, on the other hand, was built by White Star Line as it competed with its rivals to make bigger cruise liners, Saunders said.Saunders fears that, like with the Titanic's safeguards, OpenAI could be relying too heavily on its current measures and research for AI safety."Lots of work went into making the ship safe and building watertight compartments so that they could say that it was unsinkable," he said. "But at the same time, there weren't enough lifeboats for everyone. So when disaster struck, a lot of people died."To be sure, the Apollo missions were conducted against the backdrop of a Cold War space race with Russia. They also involved several serious casualties, including <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nasa.gov/history/55-years-ago-the-apollo-1-fire-and-its-aftermath/#:~:text=28%2C%201967%2C%20the%20day%20after,Chaffee.">three NASA astronauts who died in 1967</a> due to an electrical fire during a test.Explaining his analogy further in an email to Business Insider, Saunders wrote: "Yes, the Apollo program had its own tragedies. It is not possible to develop AGI or any new technology with zero risk. What I would like to see is the company taking all possible reasonable steps to prevent these risks."<h2 id="7f86480a-e53d-47cc-ac54-2cd5458d821d">OpenAI needs more 'lifeboats,' Saunders says</h2>Saunders told BI that a "Titanic disaster" for AI could manifest in a model that can launch a large-scale cyberattack, persuade people en masse in a campaign, or help build biological weapons.In the near term, OpenAI should invest in additional "lifeboats," like delaying the release of new language models so teams can research potential harms, he said in his email.While in the superalignment team, Saunders led a group of four staff dedicated to understanding how AI language models behave — which he said humans don't know enough about."If in the future we build AI systems as smart or smarter than most humans, we will need techniques to be able to tell if these systems are hiding capabilities or motivations," he wrote in his email.<div type="image" title="Ilya Sutskever, Russian Israeli-Canadian computer scientist and co-founder of OpenAI, speaks at a conference in Tel Aviv." height="4000" width="6000" msid="111629061" hostid="261" sizebytes="1903062"></div>In his interview with Kantrowitz, Saunders added that company staff often discussed theories about how the reality of AI becoming a "wildly transformative" force could come in just a few years."I think when the company is talking about this, they have a duty to put in the work to prepare for that," he said.But he's been disappointed with OpenAI's actions so far.In his email to BI, he said: "While there are employees at OpenAI doing good work on understanding and preventing risks, I did not see a sufficient prioritization of this work."Saunders <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/openai-safety-researchers-quit-superalignment-sam-altman-chatgpt-2024-5">left OpenAI in February.</a> The company then <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/openai-ends-superalignment-team-manage-ai-risks-2024-5">dissolved its superalignment team in May</a>, just days after announcing GPT-4o, its most advanced AI product available to the public.OpenAI did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent outside regular business hours by Business Insider.Tech companies like OpenAI, Apple, Google, and Meta have been engaged in an <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/apple-hired-ex-googler-lead-ai-efforts-but-fell-apart-2024-6">AI arms race</a>, sparking investment furor in what is widely predicted to be the next great industry disruptor akin to the internet.The breakneck pace of development has prompted some employees and experts to warn that more corporate governance is needed to avoid future catastrophes.In early June, a group of former and current employees at Google's Deepmind and OpenAI — including Saunders — published an <a target="_blank" href="https://righttowarn.ai/">open letter warning</a> that current industry oversight standards were insufficient to safeguard against disaster for humanity.Meanwhile, OpenAI cofounder and former chief scientist <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/timeline-sam-altman-openai-shock-firing-microsoft-switch-2023-11">Ilya Sutskever</a>, who led the firm's <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/jan-leike-ilya-sutskever-resignations-superalignment-openai-superintelligence-safe-humanity-2024-5">superalignment division</a>, resigned later that month.He <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/man-who-revolted-against-sam-altman-just-started-research-lab-2024-6">founded another startup, Safe Superintelligence Inc.</a>, that he said would focus on researching AI while ensuring "safety always remains ahead."

A former OpenAI safety employee said he quit because the company's leaders were 'building the Titanic' and wanted 'newer, shinier' things to sell

Sam Altman-run <keyword id="3169059" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="openai" source="Orion">OpenAI</keyword> has expanded its internal safety processes to tackle the threat of harmful AI amid increased government scrutiny. The company said it will establish a dedicated team to oversee technical work and an operational structure for safety decision-making. "We are creating a cross-functional Safety Advisory Group to review all reports and send them concurrently to Leadership and the Board of Directors. While Leadership is the decision-maker, the Board of Directors holds the right to reverse decisions," it said late on Monday. OpenAI discussed its updated "Preparedness Framework", saying it will invest in the design and execution of rigorous capability evaluations and forecasting to better detect emerging risks. "We will run evaluations and continually update 'scorecards' for our models. We will evaluate all our frontier models, including at every 2x effective compute increase during training runs. We will push models to their limits," said the ChatGPT maker. The goal is to probe the specific edges of what's unsafe to effectively mitigate the revealed <keyword id="27263" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="risk" source="Orion">risk</keyword>s. To track the safety levels of our models, OpenAI will produce risk "scorecards" and detailed reports. "We will also implement additional security measures tailored to models with high or critical (pre-mitigation) levels of risk," said the company. OpenAI said it will develop protocols for added safety and outside accountability. "The Preparedness Team will conduct regular <keyword id="6113228" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="safety-drills" source="Orion">safety drills</keyword> to stress-test against the pressures of our business and our own culture," it added. The company will also collaborate closely with external parties as well as internal teams like Safety Systems to track real-world misuse.

OpenAI to fend off AI user harm, gives board veto power on risky AI

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Avian flu, or bird flu, has been detected among cattle and chickens in multiple states.</li><li>Pasteurized animal products should still be safe to consume.</li></ul>Since the outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (or, bird flu) reached cows and hens, there have been concerns about the safety of produce, and whether Americans should avoid certain foods.The USDA said that as of now, there is <a target="_blank" href="https://www.aphis.usda.gov/news/agency-announcements/federal-state-veterinary-public-health-agencies-share-update-hpai">no concern</a> that this should pose a risk to consumers. At the same time, it noted that this is a "rapidly evolving situation."The <a target="_blank" href="https://www.aphis.usda.gov/news/agency-announcements/usda-fda-cdc-share-update-hpai-detections-dairy-cattle">USDA</a> reported cases of HPAI in cattle herds across multiple states on March 25. As of Tuesday, that virus had reached chickens in Texas, <a target="_blank" href="https://calmainefoods.gcs-web.com/node/13596/pdf">Cal-Maine Foods announced</a>, "resulting in the depopulation of approximately 1.6 million laying hens" as a precaution.<a target="_blank" href="https://cals.cornell.edu/samuel-david-alcaine">Dr. Samuel Alcaine</a>, an associate professor of food science at Cornell University, said the USDA and CDC have been <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/bird-flu-avian-influenza-outbreak-us-h5n1-wiping-out-everything-2023-4">tracking avian flu for a while now</a>, but the recent detection of it in cows is a new development."Overall, I don't think there's a significantly increased risk to the US consumer as long as they're already following the basic food safety practices that we should be following at home anyways," he said.Still, he shared the measures you can take to stay safe.<h2>Most animal products are safe to eat</h2>The US agriculture industry has strict protocols about quarantining sick animals so as not to spread the virus, The <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/05/well/eat/bird-flu-dairy-milk-eggs.html">New York Times reported</a>.Additionally, most commercial animal products, such as milk, cheese, and liquid eggs (egg yolks) go through a pasteurization process.Alcaine said that according to existing research on the avian flu, "the temperatures that we use for pasteurization are more than adequate to inactivate the virus."<h2>Embrace firm egg yolks</h2>To be extra safe, fully cook your meat and eggs, said Alcaine. Just as you would to prevent <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/salmonella-outbreak-linked-to-raw-dough-3-people-in-hospital-2023-3">salmonella</a> or <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/e-coli-outbreak-sickening-people-multiple-states-ohio-michigan-2022-8">E.coli</a> infections, you should cook meat and eggs at hot-enough temperatures to prevent illness.According to the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cdc.gov/foodsafety/communication/salmonella-and-eggs.html">CDC's salmonella guidelines</a>, you'll want to cook eggs until both the egg and yolk are firm, such as hard-boiled or scrambled eggs. (You can also use pasteurized eggs if you're craving them poached.)<h2>Cook meat to the right internal temperature</h2>For meat, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cdc.gov/foodsafety/keep-food-safe.html">the CDC recommends</a> cooking ground meats to 160°F and poultry to 165°F.Additionally, Alcaine said you'll want to be wary of cross-contamination, such as keeping the utensils used to handle raw meat and eggs away from cooked food.<h2>Raw animal products can carry bacteria</h2>Most states require dairy products to be pasteurized, and any products that cross state lines must be pasteurized by federal law, Dr. Sumiko Mekaru, the vice president of research &amp; innovation at PHC Global, a bio risk threat intelligence platform provider, <a target="_blank" href="https://abcnews.go.com/Health/bird-flu-outbreak-poses-risk-safety-americas-food/story?id=108856122">told ABC News</a>.However, <a target="_blank" href="https://worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/raw-milk-legal-states">some states</a> allow the sale of raw milk and unpasteurized cheese, which have been <a target="_blank" href="https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2024/03/10/the-alt-right-rebrand-of-raw-milk-00145625">growing in popularity</a> over recent years.While Alcaine said that there's no evidence yet that this particular virus is spread through eating raw food, "we do know that things like raw milk also have issues with salmonella and listeria contamination."In general, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/is-raw-unpasteurized-milk-healthy-safe-to-drink-2019-12">drinking raw milk</a> can lead to side effects like vomiting and diarrhea, and just to be safe, the <a target="_blank" href="https://emergency.cdc.gov/han/2024/han00506.asp">CDC also suggests</a> abstaining in light of this recent outbreak.

What you need to know about eating meat, dairy, and eggs during the bird flu outbreak, according to a food safety expert

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Many parents feel passionate about both the benefits and risks of sleepovers.</li><li>Talk within your family and to the hosts about safety measures.</li></ul>Late-night pillow fights, junk food, and movie marathons during sleepovers are a rite of passage for many kids and teens. And yet, more and more often, parents are reluctant to allow sleepovers, especially amid scary <a target="_blank" href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2024/03/05/michael-meyden-oregon-dad-drugging-sleepover-girls-charges/72842406007/">headlines</a> about the things that can go wrong at the events.Ultimately, parents have to weigh the benefits and risks of attending sleepovers and make the right choice for their family, says <a target="_blank" href="https://www.healthywealthyroots.org/">Traci Williams</a>, PsyD, a clinical psychologist with Healthy Wealthy Roots and mom of a preschooler who is already asking for sleepovers."<a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/share-bed-sleepovers-cosleeping-friendship-intimacy-2023-11">Sleepovers provide an opportunity</a> for kids to develop their social and problem-solving skills, practice having autonomy, and foster their resilience," Williams said. "As with most aspects of life, there is risk, but if the pros outweigh the cons, parents should focus on minimizing this risk instead of avoiding risk altogether."Here's how to decide whether to allow sleepovers, and how to set up safety plans for when your kids sleep away from home.<h2>Have conversations within your family</h2>The opportunities for your child to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/my-work-wife-started-sleeping-house-2023-12">attend sleepovers</a> will inevitably come up, so keep the lines of communication open with your children and spouse or co-parent."Deciding whether sleepovers are suitable for your family involves considering your child's maturity level, the level of trust you have in the host family, and your child's comfort with being away from home," <a target="_blank" href="https://www.instagram.com/drinaldimusic/">Daniel Rinaldi</a>, a therapist and dad, told Business Insider.Encourage your child to share their thoughts about whether they feel ready for sleepovers, and carve out time to talk with your spouse or <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-create-healthy-boundaries-for-coparenting-after-divorce-2023-9">co-parent</a> away from the kids."Discuss your concerns, fears, and the values you believe are essential," Rinaldi said.<h2>Provide a united parenting front</h2>Sleepovers bring up strong positive and negative emotions, and it's very possible you and your child's other parent will disagree about the right approach. In that case, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-compromise-about-money-in-relationship-advice-2019-10">compromise can be key</a>."A trial basis for sleepovers with agreed-upon boundaries can be a constructive way to address differing views," Rinaldi said. For example, his six-year-old daughter is allowed to sleep away from home, but only with trusted family: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/rules-for-grandparents-babysitting-looking-after-grandchildren-2023-10">her grandparents</a> and aunt.Get on the same page before telling your child whether they will or won't be allowed to have a sleepover to avoid family tension and confusion, Williams explained."Whether you finally agree to the sleepover or not, present a unified message to your child, emphasizing your decision was made with their <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-is-platonic-co-parenting-and-how-does-it-work-2020-12">best interest in mind</a>," she said.<h2>Address tough topics with the host family</h2>For families that do allow sleepovers, even more conversations are in order, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.providence.org/doctors/profile/256951-daniel-s-ganjian">Dr. Daniel Ganjian</a>, a board-certified pediatrician at Providence Saint John's Health Center, said. First, talk candidly with the host parents."Discuss supervision plans, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/dairy-allergy-intolerance-grandparents-babysit-sick-2024-3">food allergies</a>, bedtime routines, and any other relevant details," he said.Williams also suggested asking about guns and alcohol in the home, and who will be present during the sleepover — including other children.<h2>Make a safety plan with your kids</h2>The most important conversations are the ones you'll have with your child before the sleepover, experts say."These conversations should include respecting <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/the-right-way-to-set-boundaries-with-people-2023-10">personal boundaries</a>, recognizing uncomfortable situations, and knowing how to communicate with you anytime during the sleepover," Rinaldi said.In addition, talk with your kids about:<ul><li>Digital safety: Cover what to do if kids or teens witness <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-to-do-if-your-child-bullying-online-at-school-2022-11">online bullying</a>, or images that they find uncomfortable or scary.</li><li>Weapons, including guns: Emphasize that they should always tell an adult immediately if they see a firearm or anything else they feel is dangerous.</li><li>Changes to the plan: Let your children know when you'd expect a call if their plan for the night changes from what you discussed ahead of time.</li></ul>Ultimately, it's most important for your child to know they can call you for any reason, our experts said."Make sure your child knows they can call you anytime, no matter what," Ganjian said. Texting is another great option. "Establish a code word if they need to be picked up early without raising suspicion with others."<h2>Acknowledge that missing out on sleepovers is hard</h2>If you decide against sleepovers, "<a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/effective-gentle-parenting-discipline-2024-3">empathize with your child</a>, acknowledging their disappointment," Williams said. She suggests finding other ways for your child to have special time with their friends, like having longer or later playdates.

There are pros and cons to letting your kids go to sleepovers. Experts explain how to reduce the risks and create a safety plan.

<ul class="summary-list"><li>New <keyword id="11957108" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="parental-controls" source="Orion">parental controls</keyword> on <keyword id="11892996" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="instagram" source="Orion">Instagram</keyword> include setting daily time limits for teens on the app.</li><li>Policies like these are generally welcomed by experts and advocates for <keyword id="11957096" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="online-safety" source="Orion">online safety</keyword>.</li></ul><keyword id="12416504" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="meta" source="Orion">Meta</keyword> <a href="https://about.instagram.com/blog/announcements/tools-and-resources-for-parents-and-teens-in-vr-and-on-instagram">rolled out new parental controls on Instagram</a> on June 14, in a bid to make teens' experiences on the app safer. The measures, which include setting daily time limits and parents being able to put in a request to be a supervisor, have built on the features that have been available in the US since March.Policies to improve protecting young people on Instagram, which is available to download for anyone aged 13 and older, are generally welcomed by experts and advocates for online safety. But they also point out the limitations of what additional features can do. A broader issue may be the conversation gap that exists between children and their guardians about how valuable apps like Instagram are to teens' lives, according to experts, and this is never going to be something social media companies can tackle alone.Platforms need to take responsibility for the effects that their services and products can have on users, according to Priya Kumar, an assistant professor at Pennsylvania State University's College of Information Sciences and Technology, who specializes in data privacy. But social media is not the only thing contributing to the safety and mental wellbeing in a child or teen's life — it's just one of many facets."Developing features to help teens and other people manage their use of the app is helpful," she said. "But the features on their own, of course, aren't going to resolve these complex issues."<h2>Safety measures give parents more context about what their children are doing on the internet and why</h2>Stevie Chancellor, an assistant Professor in computer science and engineering at the University of Minnesota, told Insider that overall, allowing parents to help teens manage how they use Instagram is a "step in the right direction," especially as many may not be keeping up with every app their children are using."A lot of parents feel out of control with their kids' access to tons of information on social networks," Chancellor said. "Giving parents that authority and that control is really important in developing a healthy relationship with social media websites."Kumar agreed that the features are good conversation starters, but in order for them to truly make a difference in an individual teen's life or in a parent-child relationship, they have to be part of a conversation about how is the teen using Instagram, how they can develop healthy habits, and use it responsibly.For example, if there's an open dialogue and the teen tells their parents they feel like they might be getting addicted to scrolling on their Instagram feed, they can discuss what might be appropriate to set as a time limit."As long as both people are coming to this with a sense of kind of a willingness to understand where the other person is coming from, then I think tools like this can be helpful," Kumar said.<h2>The shortcomings of the features lie in outdated conversations and a lack of understanding</h2>Meta also has "a tough battle on their hands," according to Ysabel Gerrard, a sociology researcher of digital media and society at the University of Sheffield, because apps like Instagram are always changing, with a shifting user base, constant new features, and evolutions in the way people interact on it."We'll never, ever reach a day where we can conclusively say, OK, they've done enough, full stop," she said. "Because then they'll introduce something new and then that raises different concerns."The focus on screen time, for instance, is quite an outdated conversation, she said, especially since the coronavirus pandemic when "screens were all we had." Gerrard said she worries parents will view these new measures, put a time stop in place on their kids' apps, and think that's their job done."There's more to internet safety for kids than the volume of time that they're spending on the app," she said. "Actually a child can spend 10 minutes on the app and see something, or have something said to them that ruins their lives."The conversations should instead be focused around the harmful experiences teens can have on social media, like bullying, body idealization, and low self-esteem.Chancellor agreed the time teens are spending on Instagram is not the issue, because 30 minutes of "really triggering scrolling" through risky content is much more dangerous than four hours of talking with their friends.In her research on online eating disorder communities, Chancellor found that teens really quickly figure out how to get around parental controls, and the content they were served got more troublesome when they were trying to dodge them. They are also more likely to move off platform to WhatsApp or forums to talk about "risky behaviors," she said.<keyword id="12187780" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="teenagers" source="Orion">Teenagers</keyword> are curious, and are going to stumble across controversial and provocative content, sometimes by accident. Chancellor said she would hate for parental controls to be used to punish or restrict teens from learning about things, or for content that was served to them through no fault of their own."If all of a sudden they're in trouble because Instagram gave them something that was not good, that's a terrible outcome," she said. "And it's not going to promote a good relationship with the parents or help the kid learn how to have smarter surfing behaviors."<h2>Parent-child relationships are the key to using controls effectively</h2>For many young people, Instagram is one of the main ways to communicate and connect with their friendship group. It can be really helpful to find solidarity if they are struggling to find communities like them in the real world — a queer teenager trying to navigate their identity while living in an area they don't feel accepted, for example.Taking that away from a teenager would be devastating — especially if they don't understand why.Kumar said if parents are going to use these controls they need to talk to their kids about it, and ensure these conversations are coming from a place of genuine interest, rather than assuming social media is "something frivolous that the teen is wasting their time on."If the parent and child already have a rocky relationship, and Instagram time limits and restrictions are set without mutual understanding, that's when the tech-savvy teen is going to find ways around them like setting up new accounts or going to different platforms. All this does is breed more mistrust within the family, and make it less likely that the teen will go to the parent for help if they experience something upsetting online."Teens don't always want to listen to their parents," Kumar said. "But if they know that their parents are on their side, and aren't dismissing or invalidating their use of technology, then they are going to be more willing to go to their parents when they do need help."Social media can be a starting place to build further conversations about "some of the difficulties of life," Kumar said. As children become teenagers, they start realizing the world can be a very challenging place, and they're going to be able to tackle these challenges a lot easier if they have parents they can go to."Then that way the conversation can be centered on, as a parent, I'm worried about you," Kumar said. "I'm worried about your wellbeing, and I want to do what I can to help you."

Instagram is rolling out new features to protect teens, but experts say measures can only do so much

<ul class="summary-list"><li>DeSantis signed three anti-trans bills into law ahead of an anticipated 2024 run.</li><li>The laws limit LGBTQ+ schools curriculum and transgender care for minors. </li></ul>Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida signed four bills into law Wednesday that will deeply disrupt the lives of transgender people in the state, whether it be over access to healthcare, bathroom use, lessons about LGBTQ+ topics, or pronouns in schools. DeSantis held a press conference behind a lectern that read "Let Kids Be Kids." Though he decried LGBTQ+ material and called for "normalcy" for minors, children stood next to him onstage during the bills' signings. He uncharacteristically did not take questions from the media afterwards.The actions add to DeSantis' already robust anti-LGBTQ+ portfolio at a time when he's widely expected to announce that he'll run for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination.The contest would pit him against former President Donald Trump, the GOP frontrunner who legislated against transgender people during his time in office, including through a ban on military service. One of the new laws <a href="https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2023/1521" target="_blank" rel="noopener">criminalizes</a> instances in which people use bathrooms that don't match the gender they were assigned at birth. Lawmakers scaled back the original bill to exclude businesses and healthcare facilities, but it still extends to public schools, universities, parks, prisons, and other government buildings.The legislation's language says it's intended to "maintain public safety, decency, decorum, and privacy," but the LGBTQ+ rights organization Equality Florida called the new law "bigoted" in a statement and said it was part of DeSantis' "Slate of Hate." "Our state government should be focused on solving pressing issues, not terrorizing people who are simply trying to use the restroom and exist in public," Jon Harris Maurer, Equality Florida Public Policy Director, said. Another bill DeSantis signed into law Wednesday prevents doctors from offering treatments such as hormone therapy, puberty blockers, and surgery — such as breast removal — to transgender minors, even in cases where parents consent. It also allows Florida courts to interfere when minors seek treatment outside Florida and obligates doctors to share certain state-sanctioned material with adults receiving transgender healthcare. Last week DeSantis also signed a measure into law that allows healthcare providers and health insurance companies to refuse care on "religious, moral, or ethical" grounds — exemptions that are expected to disproportionately affect transgender people seeking care. DeSantis has on numerous occasions targeted the LGBTQ+ community in his time as governor. In March, the DeSantis administration <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/desantis-admin-revokes-hyatt-miami-alcohol-license-after-drag-show-2023-3">began the process</a> of revoking the Hyatt Regency Miami's alcohol license after one of its facilities hosted "A Drag Queen Christmas" with minors present in the audience. In what was widely viewed as doubling down on those actions, DeSantis signed <a href="https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2023/1438">a third measure</a> into law Wednesday that blocks venues from allowing minors to watch "adult live performances" even when accompanied by a guardian. It's not clear what effect the new laws will have on business in Florida due to corporate backlash. When North Carolina passed its 2016 so-called "bathroom bill" the <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2017/03/27/bathroom-bill-to-cost-north-carolina-376-billion.html">Associated Press found</a> that it would cost the state $3.76 billion in lost business over a dozen years. Protesters gathered outside the governor's office in early May to object to DeSantis' governing style and policies. Equality Florida said it would consider ways to challenge the bathroom bill. Florida's pending budget increased legal expenses for the DeSantis administration to $10 million, a $6 million increase from the previous year. Joe Saunders, senior policy director at Equality Florida, warned in a press conference Wednesday that with a DeSantis 2024 announcement being imminent "the nation should be on high alert," warning the governor would "export" his policies nationwide if elected. DeSantis has defended his actions as protective of children, invoking his own biography as a father to three children ages 6 and under. In early May, he specifically pushed back on criticism regarding the ban on transgender healthcare for minors. The care is supported <a href="https://www.ama-assn.org/press-center/press-releases/ama-reinforces-opposition-restrictions-transgender-medical-care">as medically necessary</a> by the American Medical Association, the nation's largest lobbying group for doctors.DeSantis has dismissed such organizations as "ideological" and on Wednesday he called supporters of transgender care "rogue elements of the medical establishment" and accused them of wanting to "mutilate" young people. During a book-tour stop in Charleston, South Carolina, <a href="https://rumble.com/v2j652i-the-florida-blueprint-ft.-special-guest-gov.-ron-desantis-north-charleston-.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">last month</a>, he defined affirming the identities of transgender people as "unmoored from truth." "If we as a society say that a man that puts on a dress, dresses as a woman and then quote 'identifies' as a woman is actually a woman, that is not true, OK? If you're telling me to accept that is a woman you're asking me to be complicit in a lie, and that I will not do," he said. <div type="image" title="Demonstrators protest outside the Florida House chambers against bills the chamber passed on gender-transition treatments, bathroom use and keeping children out of drag shows, Wednesday April 19, 2023 in Tallahassee, Florida." height="1500" width="2000" msid="100309783" hostid="261"></div><h2>'Don't Say Gay' expansion</h2>One of the most high-profile instances of DeSantis' anti-LGBTQ+ agenda was a bill he signed into law last year that banned instruction about gender identity and sexual orientation in classrooms for up to third grade. The legislation — officially known as the Parental Rights in Education Act — was panned by LGBTQ+ rights organizations as "Don't Say Gay." The backlash over the law included a widely watched dispute with Walt Disney World that's now in court. DeSantis and his allies often pushed back against critics of the Parental Rights Act last year by stressing that it would only apply to the youngest students. This legislative session, however, they shredded that argument and expanded the law to higher grades. The DeSantis administration already <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/florida-desantis-expansion-of-dont-say-gay-to-all-grades-2023-3">pushed the law further</a> through rulemaking by limiting such topics to sex ed and instances "required by existing state standards" from third to twelfth grade.But a bill DeSantis signed into law Wednesday went even further to eradicate such teachings so they only happen in the limited curriculum parameters after eighth grade. In addition, the law says schools can't require teachers or students to use pronouns that don't align with a student's sex assigned at birth, and allows people to more easily object to books in school libraries. Proponents of such restrictions have said that parents should be the ones to teach their children about sexual orientation and gender, and should have the right to decide what their children learn in the classroom. "If a parent wants to engage in that with their kid in those, then that's up to them, but we should not be putting that in the curriculum in school," DeSantis said Wednesday. Critics have said they're deeply worried about <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/miami-school-board-votes-against-lgbtq-history-measures-citing-dont-say-gay-2022-9" target="_blank" rel="noopener">chilling the speech</a> of LGBTQ teachers and parents, and about students being bullied or outed to families who don't accept them. Studies show that LGBTQ youth face <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/white-house-kristi-noem-high-depression-rates-lgbtq-2022-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener">higher rates of suicide</a> compared to their cisgender or heterosexual peers. "Imagine living in a state where you are the target of the political culture war," Democratic Sen. Shevrin Jones of Miami Gardens, who is gay, said in the chamber in early May as the bill was being debated. Under the previous law, some schools already removed books exploring sexual orientation and gender identity from their libraries, though it's unclear for what grades. According to the governor's office, they have included the memoirs "Gender Queer," "This Book Is Gay," and "Flamer." The organization PEN America, which advocates for freedom in literature, joined the publisher Penguin Random House, in <a href="https://twitter.com/PENamerica/status/1658835073548836868?t=WkUqMn2rUlYtB3WHzK_K2Q&amp;s=19">filing a lawsuit</a> Wednesay over the book removals. Melanie Willingham-Jaggers, executive director at GLSEN, an organization that works to create LGBTQ+ inclusive schools, called the new laws "catastrophic" in a statement."He's using vulnerable communities as political pawns in an attempt to gain power and further his own career," Willingham-Jaggers said.May 17, 2023: This story has been updated with comments from GLSEN and others made during a press conference with Equality Florida.

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