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Snapchat’s New Controls Could Let Parents See Their Kids’ Friend Lists
Christian Hetrick
Christian Hetrick is dot.LA's Entertainment Tech Reporter. He was formerly a business reporter for the Philadelphia Inquirer and reported on New Jersey politics for the Observer and the Press of Atlantic City.
Snapchat is preparing to roll out enhanced parental controls that would allow parents to see who their teenagers are chatting with on the social media app, according to screenshots of the upcoming feature.
Snap’s parental controls.
Courtesy of Watchful.
Snapchat is planning to introduce Family Center, which would allow parents to see who their children are friends with on the app and who they’ve messaged within the last seven days, according to screenshots provided by Watchful, a product intelligence company. Parents would also be able help their kids report abuse or harassment.
The parental controls are still subject to change before finally launching publicly, as the Family Center screenshots—which were first reported by TechCrunch—reflect features that are still under development.
Santa Monica-based Snap and other social media giants have faced mounting criticism for not doing more to protect their younger users—some of whom have been bullied, sold deadly drugs and sexually exploited on their platforms. State attorneys general have urged Snap and Culver City-based TikTok to strengthen their parental controls, with both companies’ apps especially popular among teens.
A Snap spokesperson declined to comment on Friday. Previously, Snap representatives have told dot.LA that the company is developing tools that will provide parents with more insight into how their children are engaging on Snapchat and allow them to report troubling content. (Disclosure: Snap is an investor in dot.LA.)
Yet Snap’s approach to parental controls could still give teens some privacy, as parents wouldn’t be able to read the actual content of their kids’ conversations, according to TechCrunch. (The Family Center screenshots seen by dot.LA do not detail whether parents can see those conversations).
In addition, teenage users would first have to accept an invitation from their parents to join the in-app Family Center before those parents can begin monitoring their social media activity, TechCrunch reported.
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Christian Hetrick
Christian Hetrick is dot.LA's Entertainment Tech Reporter. He was formerly a business reporter for the Philadelphia Inquirer and reported on New Jersey politics for the Observer and the Press of Atlantic City.
LA Tech Week Day Two: Social Highlights
03:04 PM | June 06, 2023
Evan Xie
L.A. Tech Week has brought venture capitalists, founders and entrepreneurs from around the world to the California coast. With so many tech nerds in one place, it's easy to laugh, joke and reminisce about the future of tech in SoCal.
Here's what people are saying about day two of L.A. Tech Week on social:
Coffee On Slauson never disappoints.
s/o @AustinLAC@AjayFresh@SlausonAndCo for a fantastic meetup. #TechWeek#LATechWeekpic.twitter.com/PwcNhedicY
— Kofi Ampadu (@TheKofiAmpadu) June 6, 2023
Top LA VCs just shared which startups they most regret passing on at #LATechWeek…@msuster: Scopely
Mark Mullen: Honey
Dana Settle: Honey, Trade Desk, Riot Games
William Hsu: Dollar Shave Club
Derek Norton: Manscape pic.twitter.com/8HCdufFDSH
— Ben Bergman (@thebenbergman) June 6, 2023
Day 2 of #LATechWeek! Always great to see @benlakoff who hosted an awesome @banklessvc brunch 🎉 pic.twitter.com/AAa3S7GRsN
— Melrose PR (@MelrosePR) June 6, 2023
"Excited to have been to be a part of #LATechWeek's official launch party hosted by @a16z. The event was incredibly well curated and it was energizing to see all of the activity happening across our ecosystem. Looking forward to the rest of the week!" - Partner Alex Lebow pic.twitter.com/PqiPavBYW6
— Daversa Partners (@DaversaPartners) June 6, 2023
Breakfast for day 2 of #LATechWeek with Watertower Ventures and the industry's top partners to hear from the emerging and emerged managers leading LA's premier venture capital funds.💥 pic.twitter.com/5ELK1dfagO
— Tech Week (@Techweek_) June 6, 2023
today was a good day ♻️ @GundersonLaw#PledgeLA#LATechWeek@Techweek_pic.twitter.com/zXtnPthwOP
— Slauson & Co. (@SlausonAndCo) June 6, 2023
Spent an hour hacking w/ Saba, Shai, Zach, Ed. They shipped https://t.co/D1lONbMean
This will be a lot fun + winner gets a meeting with @draper_u
Sign up ⬇️ #LATechWeekhttps://t.co/mz5jfKIGuQ
— Suffiyan Malik (@suffiyanmalikk) June 5, 2023
Back at the Bungalow for Watertower’s “Emerged vs Emerging Manager” panel for LA Tech Week with @dsettle@greycroftvc@msuster@upfrontvc@mucker@dereknorton
Takeaways:
- build long term relationships with LPs (spend 9-12 months getting to know them)
- FOMO era is over pic.twitter.com/8ncjyhe46c
— Katia Ameri (@KatiaAmeri) June 6, 2023
Great turnout for Women in Tech #meetup#LAtechweek#santamonica#junegloompic.twitter.com/yHpwmXPDq6
— Jane Richards Ⓥ (@greeneatz) June 6, 2023
Kicking off #LATechWeek@SpringPlace@JeromeFogelLA#CiarraPardo@RealMatthewLowe#web3#blockchain#AI#sports#healthcare#innovation#data#security@rihanna@fentybeauty@SavageXFenty#FONpic.twitter.com/SQFQjRWWIp
— Apothēka Systems Inc. (@ApothekaInc) June 5, 2023
Just wrapped up a great panel discussion on “Building Startups with Generative AI” at #LATechWeek@Google. During the panel I announced my upcoming book https://t.co/1hegV2QNYz — join the waitlist. @andrewchen@darian314, and Josh Gwyther! pic.twitter.com/EW41puleoG
— Clarence Wooten Jr. (@clarencewooten) June 6, 2023
Yesterday, @peterpham hosted a panel for LA #TechWeek with @Nasdaq focused on late-stage companies utilizing AI in marketing. Panelists included @MammothMedia's @bvatere and @LiquidDeath's Dan Murphy in a forward-thinking chat about the future of how we speak to customers. pic.twitter.com/uGCFslI5wf
— Science (@ScienceInc) June 6, 2023
Enjoying the sun and good vibes at @TechWeek_#LA! Excited to co-host brunch and a panel with @comcastventures & @discord about the intersection of #AI, #gaming & #entertainment. #LATechWeek#Xbox#MiniFund#VCpic.twitter.com/mwHv4MIKjL
— M12 - Microsoft's Venture Fund (@M12vc) June 6, 2023
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LA Tech Week Is Back! Here Are the Events We're Watching
04:07 PM | June 05, 2023
Evan Xie
This is the web version of dot.LA’s daily newsletter. Sign up to get the latest news on Southern California’s tech, startup and venture capital scene.
MONDAY
LA Hardtech: Local Talent Meets CEOs: Want to see robots in action? This hardtech event will showcase product demos and feature conversations about all things aircrafts, satellites, electric vehicles, robots and medical devices. June 5 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. in El Segundo.
Technology and Storytelling for Social Good: LA2050 and Goldhirsh Foundation president Tara Roth will moderate a panel featuring Alexis Cabrera of 9 Dots, Laura Gonzalez of Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI), Sabra Williams of Creative Acts, and Paul Lanctot of The Debt Collective. Tickets are sold out, but stay tuned for dot.LA’s coverage of how technology can advance social good.
TUESDAY
Building a Startup Using Generative AI: As AI takes over the tech space, more startups are eyeing the burgeoning tool. Google’s west coast Head of VC and Startup Partnerships Alexandra Dumas will moderate a panel focused on how startups can best utilize AI. June 6 from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in Venice.
AI &Music: The Black Eyed Peas’ will.i.am will join Google AI’s K Allado-McDowell, Never Before Heard Sounds’ Parag Mital and SOMMS.ai’s Matthew Adell to discuss how AI is changing music composition and production. June 6 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. in Hollywood.
BLCK VC + Diversity VC: Navigating the Capital Landscape Panel: Two VCs focused on helping people of color grow their investing careers, BLCK VC and Diversity VC, will host a panel discussion on how diverse fund managers and founders can secure funding. June 6 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. in West L.A.
Female Founders: Female Founders: Planning. Pivoting. Profiting: Female entrepreneurs—including Mia Pokriefka of Huxly, Anjali Kundra of Partender, Sunny Wu of LE ORA and Montré Moore of AMP Beauty LA—will discuss how women can set their businesses up for success. June 6 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. in Fairfax.
LA #TechWeek VC Kickoff Party: dot.LA executive chairman Spencer Rascoff’s venture fund 75 & Sunny is partnering with VC firm Crosscut to launch L.A. Tech week with music, drinks and networking. June 6 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. in Pacific Palisades.
WEDNESDAY
SUPERCHARGE LA: Access to Capital & Cocktails: Join dot.LA for a night of networking and live music with a set by renowned artist, DJ, producer, and photographer D-Nice. In addition, LA Chargers running back Austin Ekeler will be joined by Grammy award winning artist Miguel and other leaders from LA venture capital to discuss how founders can increase their funding. June 7 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. in Santa Monica.
Hollywood Dream: Star in 3D Movie with Your Avatar, Rendered from Script with PentoPix: Storytellers from PentoPix, an AI video generator, will share their thoughts on how the new technology can change the film production process. Attendees can insert their own 3D avatar into a story created for the event. June 7 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. in Santa Monica.
THURSDAY
Aerospace Meets Climate Tech: Learn more about how climate tech is transforming the aerospace industry at this panel featuring the industry’s founders and investors. Get a look at how Arc Boats made an electric sport boat, tour the company’s production floor and hear from its team of former rocket scientists. June 8 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. in Los Angeles.
Marketing in the Age of AI: What Startups & Creatives Need to Know About the Changing Creative Industry: Learn how brand strategists are utilizing AI to upend the creative process while still reaching audiences. Software platforms Melodize.ai and Davant Systems and advertising platform Trade Secret will dive into AI-generated short-form videos and images. June 8 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. in Playa Vista.
Content Capital: Where Investors Meet Creators: Techstars Managing Director Melissa Pegus will discuss how the next generation of the creator economy can find inspiration—and funding. June 8 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in Santa Monica.
FRIDAY
Sports in LA: Investing, Founding and Growing: Sports PR agency Athlete Strategies will host an event featuring founders, VCs and athletes sharing industry investment opportunities and trends. June 9 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Santa Monica.
Moonshot Thinking & Radical Solutions: Google and “X”—an innovation lab within Alphabet dedicated to building technology that will improve people’s lives—will discuss setting goals, fostering breakthroughs and redefining humanity. June 9 from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in Playa Vista.
The Closeout Event by Mantis VC and M13: Wrap up L.A. Tech Week with a night of networking. Join founders, VCs and investors at an event put on by The Chainsmokers’ Mantis VC and M13. June 9 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. in Santa Monica.
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Kristin Snyder
Kristin Snyder is dot.LA's 2022/23 Editorial Fellow. She previously interned with Tiger Oak Media and led the arts section for UCLA's Daily Bruin.
https://twitter.com/ksnyder_db
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