---
title: "Child Safety Apps & Fertilizer Crisis Explored"
description: "Via MIT Technology Review: Child-monitoring apps scanning texts and emails have prevented suicides and predator threats but also trigger false alarms, damage..."
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### Child Safety Apps & Fertilizer Crisis Explored

MIT Technology Review • September 3, 2026 at 8:10 AM ET

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Child-monitoring apps scanning texts and emails have prevented suicides and predator threats but also trigger false alarms, damage trust, and increase anxiety. Child-safety researchers argue better approaches exist beyond algorithmic surveillance. Meanwhile, agriculture's reliance on fossil fuels drives volatile fertilizer prices. Natural gas, both an energy source and chemical input for ammonia production, faces price spikes from trade disruptions and the war in Iran. Closure of the Strait of Hormuz could further restrict fertilizer access for the world's poorest countries. Climate-friendly alternatives may offer farmers relief from surging costs.

Other tech highlights include New York City's one-year ban on generative AI in elementary and middle schools affecting 600,000 students. Taiwan uncovered a hidden Chinese network targeting its chip sector, linking 166 cases to illegal operations and talent poaching. Uber launched the UK's first commercial robotaxi service using Wayve technology with safety drivers, while allying with US driver unions to slow robotaxi adoption. Google avoided an ad-tech breakup but must change rival treatment. Serbians faced mercenary spyware targeting activists and lawmakers post-election. The Trump administration backed OpenAI in its NYT lawsuit, citing fair use and national security. Public housing tenants sued over minute-by-minute sensor monitoring. Anthropic regained Trump administration trust. Humble exoskeletons aid workers and patients. AI-generated images appear on real restaurant menus.

[Read original article](https://www.technologyreview.com/2026/09/03/1143385/the-download-rethinking-child-safety-online-fossil-fuels-farming/)

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