The Download: rethinking child safety and fossil-fueled farming

Plus: New York City has banned AI in elementary and middle schools.

This is today's edition of The Download , our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what's going on in the world of technology.

Digital harms have become the defining fear of American parents. In response, they’re increasingly turning to content-monitoring apps that scan their children’s texts, photos, emails, and chats, issuing alerts whenever an algorithm flags something it deems dangerous.

These tools have had genuine successes, preventing suicide attempts, intercepting predators, and averting school shootings. But they can also cause harm themselves, from false alarms and unnecessary interventions to damaged trust and anxiety.

Child-safety researchers say better approaches exist. Here’s what they think those could look like .

This article is from our latest print magazine, which is all about kids. Subscribe now to get every issue as soon as it lands.