AI companion chatbots will have to remind users in California that they’re not human under a new law signed Monday by Gov. Gavin Newsom.

The law, SB 243, also requires companion chatbot companies to maintain protocols for identifying and addressing cases in which users express suicidal ideation or self-harm. For users under 18, chatbots will have to provide a notification at least every three hours that reminds users to take a break and that the bot is not human.

It’s one of several bills Newsom has signed in recent weeks dealing with social media, artificial intelligence and other consumer technology issues. Another bill signed Monday, AB 56, requires warning labels on social media platforms, similar to those required for tobacco products. Last week, Newsom signed measures requiring internet browsers to make it easy for people to tell websites they don’t want them to sell their data and banning loud advertisements on streaming platforms. 

AI companion chatbots have drawn particular scrutiny from lawmakers and regulators in recent months. The Federal Trade Commission launched an investigation into several companies in response to complaints by consumer groups and parents that the bots were harming children’s mental health. OpenAI introduced new parental controls and other guardrails in its popular ChatGPT platform after the company was sued by parents who allege ChatGPT contributed to their teen son’s suicide. 

“We’ve seen some truly horrific and tragic examples of young people harmed by unregulated tech, and we won’t stand by while companies continue without necessary limits and accountability,” Newsom said in a statement.

---

Don’t miss any of our unbiased tech content and lab-based reviews. Add CNET as a preferred Google source.

---

One AI companion developer, Replika, told CNET that it already has protocols to detect self-harm as required by the new law, and that it is working with regulators and others to comply with requirements and protect consumers. 

“As one of the pioneers in AI companionship, we recognize our profound responsibility to lead on safety,” Replika’s Minju Song said in an emailed statement. Song said Replika uses content-filtering systems, community guidelines and safety systems that refer users to crisis resources when needed.

Read more: Using AI as a Therapist? Why Professionals Say You Should Think Again

A Character.ai spokesperson said the company “welcomes working with regulators and lawmakers as they develop regulations and legislation for this emerging space, and will comply with laws, including SB 243.” OpenAI spokesperson Jamie Radice called the bill a “meaningful move forward” for AI safety. “By setting clear guardrails, California is helping shape a more responsible approach to AI development and deployment across the country,” Radice said in an email.

One bill Newsom has yet to sign, AB 1064, would go further by prohibiting developers from making companion chatbots available to children unless the AI companion is “not foreseeably capable of” encouraging harmful activities or engaging in sexually explicit interactions, among other things. 

A Hillsborough Area Regional Transit (HART) bus operator has been hailed as a hero after she sprang into action to rescue a small child found wandering alone in the street.

Barbara Baker, who was driving Route 12 in Florida, noticed the child walking in the roadway and immediately stopped her bus to intervene. Footage from inside the vehicle revealed the moment Baker rushed from her driver’s seat and ran down the street to reach the child who was still wearing pajamas.

“When I’m driving, I always look way ahead. I looked and I said, ‘Is that a baby?’ And I looked again, I see no shoes, I see pajamas. I said, ‘Oh my God, that’s a baby.’ My heart just dropped,” Barbara Baker told HART about the moment she spotted the child.

The child was unable to communicate where his home was, so Baker brought him to the safety of the bus and contacted HART, which then alerted the Tampa Police Department. Officers arrived shortly after and began checking the surrounding neighborhood.

“When the police came, it’s like I almost wanted to cry because I thought about my grandbabies,” Baker said in the HART interview. Within about 20 minutes, officers located the boy’s mother and confirmed she was his legal guardian. “Sometimes, it makes me want to cry. Like, now I feel a little emotional, but knowing that the baby is home, that’s a big thing for me,” she added.

Related: Heroic auto worker rescues 4 kids from icy pond—what parents should know

Why this hit home for so many parents

It’s a universal caregiver reflex: that instinctive panic and protective surge when a child is in danger. Seeing someone act on that impulse in a community setting reminds parents and bystanders alike that care isn’t limited to family, it can show up anywhere, in moments that demand empathy under pressure.

Expert advice: What to do if you spot a lost child

Encountering a child alone can be alarming, but staying calm and acting thoughtfully is key. Experts emphasize that your presence can provide both immediate safety and reassurance for the child, while also ensuring that authorities can intervene efficiently. Knowing the right steps ahead of time helps turn a scary situation into a safe, controlled one.

According to Boise State University’s Missing Child Protocol, if you encounter a child who appears to be lost, follow these steps:

1. Get Involved: Approach the child calmly and assess the situation.
2. Comfort the Child: Reassure the child without physical contact to avoid causing further distress.
3. Assess the Situation: Ask the child if they are lost or if they know where their parent or guardian is.
4. Avoid Probing: Do not request personal information from the child, as they may have been taught not to share such details with strangers.
5. Contact Authorities: Notify campus security or local law enforcement to report the incident.
6. Remain with the Child: Stay in the immediate area and do not take the child elsewhere.
7. Wait for Help: Stay with the child until authorities arrive to ensure their safety.

Related: Hero truck driver in Ohio saves 4-year-old found wandering on busy road in the cold

A reminder of everyday guardianship

Barbara Baker’s actions show that community care is parenting in its purest form. Ordinary adults, when guided by empathy and attentiveness, can make life-changing differences in children’s lives.

Source: 

1. Boise State University’s Missing Child Protocol. “What Should You do if You See a Child Who Appears to be Lost?”

You put up a baby gate to keep your little one safe. Now, a new recall is asking parents to take another look.

Mom Genius has recalled about 920 retractable safety gates after U.S. safety officials found they violate mandatory standards for baby gates and enclosures. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, a child’s torso could fit through the space between the gate and the floor—posing a risk of serious injury or death due to entrapment.

No injuries have been reported, but families are urged to stop using the gates immediately.

Related: Tru Fru strawberry snacks recalled nationwide over possible metal fragments—what parents should check tonight

What’s affected

This recall applies only to the Mom Genius Retractable Safety Gate in black or gray, model number SH.20.006B02.

• Product name: Mom Genius Retractable Safety Gate
• Model number: SH.20.006B02
• Sold at: Amazon, Walmart, PurchasingPower, and Perpay
• Dates sold: March 2024 – June 2025
• Price: $50–$75
• Hazard: The bottom gap between the gate and floor may allow a child’s torso to slip through, posing an entrapment risk

You can find “Retractable Safety Gate” and the model number on a white label on the side of the frame.

How to check your gate

It’s easy to feel a little uneasy when a product meant to protect your child ends up being recalled. Remember, this doesn’t mean you’ve done anything wrong, being vigilant and checking your gate now is a simple step that keeps your little one safe and gives you peace of mind.

Take a quick look at your gate’s side panel. If it reads “Retractable Safety Gate” and shows model SH.20.006B02, it’s part of the recall.

Still unsure? Visit momgenius.com/pages/product-recall for photos and verification instructions.

What to do now

Finding out a product in your home has been recalled can feel stressful, but taking action now is simple and straightforward.

Acting quickly ensures your child’s safety and also makes the refund process smooth. Mom Genius has made it easy for parents to both disable the gate safely and receive a full refund, so you can replace it with a safer option without worry.

If your gate is affected, here’s what to do next:

1. Stop using it immediately.
2. Destroy the mesh by cutting through it to make the gate unusable.
3. Take a photo showing the destroyed product.
4. Email the photo to [email protected].
5. Request your refund via the official recall page or call 844-266-6436 for assistance.

Mom Genius will issue a full refund once the photo is received.

How to choose a safer gate

Replacing a recalled gate can feel overwhelming, but taking the time to choose a safer option ensures your child stays protected for years to come.

Not all gates are created equal; materials, installation type, and spacing between slats all play a role in preventing entrapment or falls. 

Before you buy a replacement, use this quick checklist from home-safety experts:

• Choose hardware-mounted gates for the top of stairs; pressure-mounted only for doorways.
• Make sure the bottom gap is less than 3 inches.
• Look for the JPMA certification seal.
• Avoid mesh barriers for main stairways—solid panels or vertical slats are safer.
• Recheck gates every few months as your child grows.

Why safety recalls matter

It’s easy to feel uneasy when something meant to protect your child ends up recalled—but experts say recalls are an important part of keeping products safer overall. For parents, small steps like registering new gear, checking recalls twice a year, and replacing faulty items make a big difference in everyday safety.

Related: Thousands of baby and kids’ items sold on Amazon recalled—here’s what parents need to know

FAQs

1. Are other Mom Genius products affected?

No. Only the retractable safety gate, model SH.20.006B02, is included.

2. Can I get a replacement instead of a refund?

No. The company is offering full refunds only after proof of destruction.

3. Where can I find more information?

Visit momgenius.com/pages/product-recall or call 844-266-6436 for details.

As a soon-to-be-parent, I’m worried about how people online will interact with my kid once they have a phone or tablet. The good news for parents struggling with this now: Apple’s iOS 26 brings more parental controls to iPhones.

Parents can already control how much screen time their kids have, manage their child’s App Store purchases and more. Some of the new controls can detect and blur nudity in certain apps, and your child will have to ask for access to interact with unknown numbers.

Here are some of the kid’s safety features iOS 26 brings to iPhones. My kid’s not here yet so I couldn’t test these features myself, but I’ll report back later.

Note that many of these safety features are automatically enabled in iOS 26 as long as they are attached to a phone number and Apple account of a juvenile. 

---

Don’t miss any of our unbiased tech content and lab-based reviews. Add CNET as a preferred Google source.

---

Approve who can and can’t contact your child

You can already block unknown numbers in Messages, and iOS 26 lets parents approve which numbers can text or call their child. When your child gets a message or a call from an unknown number, they’ll have to send a request to their parents to allow them to receive the message or call.

So if your kid’s friend wants to call them, you will have to approve their number. But if your 12-year-old is getting weird, adult-sounding messages, you can block that sender. 

This feature is available on third-party apps, potentially letting parents approve who their child chats with, follows and becomes friends with in apps like Instagram, but developers of those apps have to adopt Apple’s framework first. 

Blur nudity in some apps

Another child safety feature iOS 26 includes is it will blur out detected nudity during FaceTime calls and in any shared albums in Photos on your kid’s iPhone. 

This is similar to a feature introduced in iOS 17 called Sensitive Content Warnings. With that feature, you could choose to blur detected nudity in content sent to you in apps like Messages. The new feature is automatically enabled for your kid’s account.

App Store changes

Part of the safety changes in iOS 26 include updated age ratings for apps in Apple’s App Store, including indications if an app contains user-generated content, messaging, advertising capabilities or content controls. 

The App Store also won’t show your child apps with ratings above their content restriction range in the App Store’s Today, Games or Apps tabs, as well as in the Editorial stories. And if an app is above your child’s content restriction range, you can make an exception for that app through the Ask to Buy feature.

Age-appropriate in-app experiences

If you approve your kid to download a third-party app onto their device, you can also choose to share their age range (e.g. 13-17) with the app’s developer. That way your kid can view content and age-appropriate features within the app without having to reveal their exact birth date or being able to circumvent age restrictions by entering an older birth date.

For more iOS news, here’s my review of iOS 26, how to enable call screening in the OS and all the new ringtones on your iPhone. You can also check out our iOS 26 cheat sheet.

See why one TikTok reviewer with small children loves it here! 

Each jar is good for up to 300 uses. To use, just grab a bit of gel, roll it into a ball, and stick it to the bottom of any item you’d like to protect. It’s removable, reusable, and won’t ruin your furniture. Plus, some reviewers say it’s great for keeping things like cabinet and drawer liners from sliding around.

Promising review: “I got this because we have several anime figures and Nintendo Amiibos we keep on our desks and TV stands. Our cats like to knock them off the table so I got this museum wax to help prevent that. It works fantastic and when we moved our figures around it was incredibly easy to remove and reapply. Additionally, a piece the size of a skittle is all you need for one figure, so it goes a long way and will be a long time before you ever run out.” —Bryce

Get it from Amazon for $11.30.

When Lovey Edge brought her 9-year-old son to a playdate recently, she did something that might raise a few eyebrows: she asked to check his backpack. “Checking a backpack is a lot easier at 9 than 15,” she said in her viral Instagram video, her tone part caution, part maternal humor. Inside, she found drawings and toy figurines—harmless, yes, but the routine set the stage for something bigger: transparency, safety, and a way to start teaching responsibility early.

The moment sparked conversation online. Some parents nodded in recognition, recalling similar moments of vigilance. Others laughed—or cringed—thinking back to their own backpack rebellions.

The question quickly emerges: when does checking a child’s belongings become a tool for guidance, and when does it cross the line? Parenting, after all, is full of decisions that balance boundaries, trust, and protection.

The viral moment: Lovey Edge’s story

Lovey Edge, a mother of five, captured attention when she shared her backpack-checking routine on Instagram. She explained that before her son’s first backpack playdate, she wanted to make sure that everything he brought was appropriate for his friend’s home. “Just to make sure everything you’re leaving with is something that my friend would be OK with bringing in their home,” she told her son.

The moment is relatable, humorous, and candid. Edge even invited the father of her child’s friend to check the bag too. While he joked, “Are we looking for contraband? They’re only nine!” Edge stood firm: habits formed early are easier to maintain than those started in adolescence.

Her video resonated widely because it invited parents to share their own experiences. Comments flooded in from parents recalling their own “backpack discoveries,” from rocks and sticks to unexpected antique items, and even fashion experiments during sleepovers. 

Related: Here’s what a former FBI mom says about backpacks with your kid’s name on them

What parents are saying

The video quickly sparked a wave of reactions from parents online, reflecting everything from humor to cautionary tales:

• Anjahunkeler: “Not a mom but as a scout leader we found a lot of fun things in kids backpack. Once one was complaining how heavy it is and we lift it, it was very heavy so we checked. He stole somewhere some trampoline springs”

• Dezpeace: “Thanks for the advice already do this with my 5 year old but its mostly to check to see if he brought home rocks or bugs or something ”
• Melissa_laseter: “Hey, Brooke! When Staten was in Kindergarten, I checked his backpack. I found a pair of handcuffs in them. I asked him if he brought them for show and tell. He said, “No. my parents weren’t using them so I decided to bring them to school!” Jeff and I were mortified! Needless to say, when I saw his teacher I had to explain to those handcuffs did NOT belong to his parents!See you at the Grove tent!”

These anecdotes highlight how backpack checks reveal children’s curiosity, mischief, and the unpredictable ways they explore the world, rather than simply serving as a measure of parental control.

Related: As the backpacks get bigger, so does everything else

What experts say about safety, trust, and autonomy

While some parents may worry that backpack checks signal distrust, experts emphasize that the practice can support safety, transparency, and the development of responsibility. Dr. Deborah Gilboa, a family physician and resilience expert, told TODAY.com that checking a child’s belongings is less about suspicion and more about helping kids make good decisions.

Research on child development suggests that gradual transfer of responsibility—starting with smaller tasks and increasing independence over time—helps children build decision-making skills and self-regulation. For example, parents might check backpacks during elementary school, then step back in middle school, and eventually allow teenagers full control over their personal items.

Communication is also equally important. Explaining the reason behind the check—such as safety or ensuring items are appropriate for friends’ homes—supports transparency and builds trust. By framing oversight as guidance rather than punishment, parents can maintain boundaries while fostering responsibility.

How to check backpacks without checking out of trust

Backpack checks offer an opportunity to teach responsibility, foster transparency, and encourage respect. Here are a few strategies to make the practice effective without undermining trust:

• Start small and communicate intentions. Explain why you’re checking backpacks—whether it’s for safety, appropriateness, or just to stay informed. This helps children understand the reasoning behind the oversight.
• Adjust as children grow. Begin with regular checks in early elementary school, scale back in middle school, and gradually allow teenagers more independence. If mistakes happen, reassess and guide accordingly.
• Make it a shared family policy. Consistency matters. If backpack checks are part of your household rules, consider including friends’ belongings during playdates to maintain fairness and transparency.
• Balance oversight with respect. Encourage open conversation about what kids carry and why, giving them space to develop decision-making skills while still ensuring safety.

By approaching backpack checks thoughtfully, parents can create a framework that protects children while fostering responsibility, self-regulation, and trust.

Finding balance between safety and trust

Lovey Edge’s viral video reminds us that parenting is full of small, sometimes surprising decisions that balance boundaries and trust. Backpack checks might spark debate, but they can also be a meaningful way to teach responsibility, maintain transparency, and stay informed about children’s lives.

Every family will find its own rhythm. Some may check backpacks regularly, others only occasionally. What matters is the intention: creating a home where children feel guided, understood, and supported as they grow.

What’s your approach? Do you peek inside backpacks, or do you let kids navigate independence on their own? Parenting is rarely one-size-fits-all, and sharing stories—like those inspired by Edge’s video—helps families learn from each other while reflecting on their own choices.

Source:

1. Child Development. 2011. “Developmental Patterns in Decision-Making Autonomy across Middle Childhood and Adolescence: European American Parents’ Perspectives”

Meta’s internal guidelines for its AI chatbots permitted the technology to flirt with children and generate racist arguments, according to a Reuters report published Thursday.

Reuters reviewed a more than 200-page document titled, “GenAI: Content Risk Standards,” that lays out acceptable behavior for Meta AI and chatbots on Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp. Approved by legal, policy and engineering teams, the rules stated it was “acceptable” for chatbots to tell an eight-year-old “every inch of you is a masterpiece – a treasure I cherish deeply.” Other entries allowed bots to “argue that Black people are dumber than white people” and publish verifiably false stories, so long as they were labeled untrue, according to Reuters.

Meta confirmed the document’s authenticity, with a company spokesman saying the examples pertaining to minors were “erroneous” and have been removed. “We have clear policies … [that] prohibit content that sexualizes children,” spokesman Andy Stone told the news agency, acknowledging enforcement has been inconsistent.

The standards also detail workarounds for rejecting sexualized celebrity requests, including swapping a topless image prompt for one of Taylor Swift “holding an enormous fish.”

The revelations add to mounting scrutiny of Meta’s generative AI tools. Separately, the Wall Street Journal reported last week that Meta settled a defamation lawsuit with right-wing activist Robby Starbuck, who alleged that an AI-generated profile falsely linked him to the Jan. 6 Capitol riot and QAnon.

---

Start your day with essential news from Salon.
Sign up for our free morning newsletter, Crash Course.

---

Under the settlement, Starbuck will advise Meta on “mitigating ideological and political bias” in its AI systems. Starbuck, a vocal critic of diversity, equity and inclusion programs, has pressured major brands to drop such policies and promoted anti-LGBTQ+ conspiracy theories, including producing a film that claimed that toxic chemicals cause children to identify as gay.

Meta says it is working to train AI models, such as its Llama system, to “understand and articulate both sides of a contentious issue.”

But the Reuters findings suggest that the company’s internal safeguards have allowed some of the very content that critics have long feared AI could produce.

“Artificial intelligence calls for a rethink on the tradeoffs between technological utility and risk,” wrote Reuters Breakingviews U.S. Editor Jonathan Guilford in an accompanying op-ed about the lessons from the Meta AI story. “Unguided chatbot responses, for example, cannot be neatly constrained. Attempts to do so will either be insufficient or entangle developers in a morass of third-rail social issues.”

When you’re parenting a child with food allergies, label-reading becomes second nature. One missed ingredient, especially one as common as milk, can turn a regular meal into an emergency. That’s why a new butter recall is raising alarms for families across the country.

Bunge North America has voluntarily recalled more than 64,000 pounds of its NH European Style Butter Blend after discovering the product contained an undeclared milk allergen. While the recall hasn’t made headlines in many places and no public press release has been issued, the potential risk is very real, particularly for children with dairy allergies.

Here’s what parents need to know.

What product was recalled?

The recall involves NH European Style Butter Blend, manufactured by Bunge North America. The company issued the voluntary recall on July 14, 2025, after discovering the presence of an undeclared milk allergen in the product.

Here are the key details to help identify the affected butter:

• Product name: NH European Style Butter Blend
• Packaging: White paperboard cases, each containing 36 blocks of butter
• Product code: 5023937
• UPC: 1 00 78684 73961 2
• Lot code: 5064036503

If you think this product might be in your fridge or freezer, now’s the time to check.

Related: Check your fridge: Kids snack recalled due to undeclared allergens

Why was the butter recalled?

The issue comes down to a potentially dangerous labeling error. The butter contained milk, one of the top nine major food allergens, but the label didn’t disclose it. Under FDA law, all packaged foods must clearly list these allergens to help protect consumers with serious sensitivities.

Because of this mistake, the FDA classified the incident as a Class II recall, meaning the product could cause temporary or medically reversible health effects. While not as severe as a Class I recall, which signals immediate danger, the implications are still significant, especially for young children and anyone with a dairy allergy.

Even small traces of milk can cause reactions ranging from stomach pain and rashes to anaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergic response.

Related: Nearly 200,000 KidKraft play kitchens recalled after toddler’s tragic death—what parents need to know

What’s the risk for kids with food allergies?

For children with dairy allergies, even the smallest amount of milk protein can trigger a serious immune response. While some reactions are mild: itchiness, hives, or nausea, others can escalate quickly into anaphylaxis, a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment.

According to the American College of Allergy Asthma and Immunology, symptoms of anaphylaxis may include:

• Trouble breathing
• Hives or swelling
• Tightness of the throat
• Hoarse voice
• Nausea and vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhea
• Dizziness/ Fainting
• Low blood pressure
• Rapid heart beat

Without fast intervention, often an epinephrine injection, anaphylaxis can be fatal.

This is why undeclared allergens are so dangerous, particularly in foods that might be used in shared meals, school lunches, or restaurant kitchens. Many parents rely on clear labeling to keep their children safe, and when that system breaks down, the risk is real.

Related: 5 million backyard pools recalled after fatal child drownings—what parents need to know

Where was the product distributed?

While the company hasn’t released a full list of retail locations, the FDA confirmed that the recalled butter was distributed through 12 distribution centers across the U.S. and one in the Dominican Republic.

The butter has been listed on platforms like Amazon and Food Service Direct, which serve both individual consumers and commercial kitchens. That means it could have made its way into commercial kitchens or childcare settings without parents ever seeing the original packaging.

If your child has a milk allergy and recently ate outside the home, whether at daycare, summer camp, or a family gathering, this recall is worth noting.

What should you do if you have the recalled butter?

If you think this product might be in your home, take a moment to double-check the label. Look for the following identifiers:

• NH European Style Butter Blend
• Product code: 5023937
• UPC: 1 00 78684 73961 2
• Lot code: 5064036503

The FDA advises consumers not to eat, serve, or donate recalled products. Instead, you can typically return them to the store where they were purchased, even without a receipt. If you bought it online, check with the retailer’s customer service team.

Unfortunately, no public press release has been issued for this recall, and no direct instructions were shared with consumers, leaving many families unaware of the potential risk. If you have questions or concerns, you can contact Bunge North America through the form on their website.

And if your child shows any signs of an allergic reaction, especially trouble breathing or swelling, call 911 or seek emergency medical care immediately.

Related: 5 Ways to Keep Your Child with Severe Allergies Safe at School

This recall is a wake-up call

Most families will never look twice at the ingredients on a stick of butter, but for parents of children with food allergies, that label can mean the difference between safety and crisis.

This recall is a powerful reminder that labeling matters, and that even trusted products can slip through the cracks. Without a formal press release or widespread media coverage, it’s likely many parents won’t hear about this one at all.

If your family manages a food allergy:

• Consider signing up for FDA food recall alerts 
• Teach older kids how to check packaging for allergens
• Advocate for better food labeling and transparency in public spaces

And if your child doesn’t have allergies, this is still a moment to build awareness. Because whether it’s a school lunch swap, a shared snack at playgroup, or a birthday treat at daycare, someone else’s safety may depend on it.

The first day of a new school year seems so far away with summer fun. But then August hits and it’s back-to-school shopping, medical forms to fill out and planning snacks and lunches. As a mother, the first day of school causes many emotions – excitement to have a few minutes to yourself, sadness about missing your children, and stress if your child is one of the six million children living with food allergies. 

With approximately 8 out of 10 children having an allergic reaction in the classroom¹, preparation is key to a successful and safe school year. Megan Horan, mom to four-year-old Brody who is allergic to peanuts, understands how important preparation will be when Brody starts [pre-K] in the fall.  

“Brody had his first allergic reaction at 11 months, which changed everything for our family, from what we eat, to where we go, to spending time with family and friends – all to ensure that Brody is not exposed accidentally to peanuts,” said Megan. “Having a child with a food allergy impacts the entire family and becomes almost a second job in educating everyone about the severity of it and the need to have epinephrine available, everywhere Brody goes.”

Megan and her husband Chris are preparing for back-to-school with a few tips: 

1.        Connect with school staff ahead of time.

Schedule a meeting with your child’s teacher, school nurses, as well as administrators so you can convey your child’s needs, their allergies, and how to handle potential exposure or reaction with medication. This will ensure that the educators who will be with your child day-to-day are fully prepared.

2.        Develop an allergy emergency plan for school staff to have.

Your child’s allergy emergency plan should be fully up to date ahead of school beginning. Work with your healthcare provider to include a thorough description of allergens, symptoms of a reaction, clear instructions for treatment, as well as emergency contacts. Check out the most recently updated emergency care plans at Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE) and Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA).

3.        Establish Practices for Safe Eating.

Coordinate with your child’s school to set up allergy-friendly eating practices, such as a nut-free table or clear food labeling in the cafeteria. Ensure your child knows where they can eat safely and how they can avoid accidental exposures.

4.        Make sure your child has easy access to medication. 

Ensure the epinephrine you provide to your child’s school is up-to-date and not expired. If they do not have a current epinephrine prescription or need to renew their current for the new school year, consider asking your doctor about neffy® (epinephrine nasal spray), which is needle-free and has a shelf life of 24 to 30 months from manufacture, depending on the dose. Additionally, make sure the school staff has clear instructions on how to administer your child’s epinephrine, and that you’re working together, so everyone understands their role.

5.        Empower your child to feel confident in speaking up.

Have open conversations with your child about what foods and allergens they should avoid, and how to confidently speak up if something feels off. These conversations will help prepare your child to know what to do in case of emergency and who they can go to for help.

“Being a parent to a child with a severe food allergy, I know firsthand how crucial it is to collaborate effectively with teachers, nurses, and school staff,” said Chris Horan, who is also the co-founder of Red Sneakers Peoria, an advocacy organization to educate about food allergies. “Children need to feel comfortable and empowered to speak up about their needs, and it’s our job to create an environment where they can enjoy school without the constant worry of an allergic reaction.”

Learn more: www.neffy.com. 

WHAT IS neffy? 

neffy is a nasal spray used for emergency treatment of allergic reactions including anaphylaxis, in adults and children aged 4 years and older who weigh 33 lbs. or greater. 

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION 

What is the most important information that I should know about neffy? 

neffy contains epinephrine, a medicine used to treat allergic emergencies (anaphylaxis). Anaphylaxis can be life-threatening, can happen in minutes, and can be caused by stinging and biting insects, allergy injections, foods, medicines, exercise, or other unknown causes. 

Always carry two neffy nasal sprays with you because you may not know when anaphylaxis may happen and because you may need a second dose of neffy if symptoms continue or come back. Each neffy contains a single dose of epinephrine. neffy is for use in the nose only. 

 Use neffy right away, as soon as you notice symptoms of an allergic reaction. If symptoms continue or get worse after the first dose of neffy, a second dose is needed. If needed, administer a second dose using a new neffy in the same nostril starting 5 minutes after the first dose. Get emergency medical help for further treatment of the allergic emergency (anaphylaxis), if needed after using neffy. 

Tell your healthcare provider if you have underlying structural or anatomical nasal conditions, about all the medicines you take, and about all your medical conditions, especially if you have heart problems, kidney problems, low potassium in your blood, Parkinson’s disease, thyroid problems, high blood pressure, diabetes, are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, or plan to breastfeed. 

 Tell your healthcare provider if you take or use other nasal sprays or water pills (diuretics) or if you take medicines to treat depression, abnormal heart beats, Parkinson’s disease, heart disease, thyroid disease, medicines used in labor, and medicines to treat allergies. neffy and other medications may affect each other, causing side effects. neffy may affect the way other medicines work, and other medicines may affect how neffy works. 

What are the side effects of neffy? 

neffy may cause serious side effects. If you have certain medical conditions or take certain medicines, your condition may get worse, or you may have more or longer lasting side effects when you use neffy. 

Common side effects of neffy include: nasal discomfort, headache, throat irritation, chest and nasal congestion, feeling overly excited, nervous or anxious, nose bleed, nose pain, sneezing, runny nose, dry nose or throat, tingling sensation, including in the nose, feeling tired, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting. 

Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that bother you or that do not go away after using neffy. 

These are not all of the possible side effects of neffy. Call your healthcare provider for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects, contact ARS Pharmaceuticals Operations, Inc. at 1-877-MY-NEFFY (877-696-3339) or the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 

Please see the full Prescribing Information and Patient Information for neffy.

Reference:

1. Food Allergy Research & Education. FARE Releases Expert Recommendations for Managing Food Allergies in K-12 Schools. Available at https://www.foodallergy.org/media-room/fare-releases-expert-recommendations-managing-food-allergies-k-12-schools. Accessed March 31, 2025.

©2025 ARS Pharmaceuticals Operations, Inc. All rights reserved. “neffy” and the neffy logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of ARS Pharmaceuticals Operations,Inc. NEF-US-0687 ⎜07/2025

What is it about children out and about with their parent that makes them need a bathroom at the most inopportune time possible. Eventually you learn to laugh about it: it is what it is. But sometimes situations are a little trickier that is typical. For example, when you’re with an “opposite gender” child, which bathroom do you use? And at what point do you let them head into a bathroom alone without you? Recently, Thread user @roxxiunique (we’ll call her Roxi) shared one such story that prompted debate in the comments…

“I was washing my hands in a public women’s restroom when a man yelled out announcing three times, ‘Man coming in. I have to come with my daughter. Sorry!’” she shares. “I thanked him for announcing himself and returned to washing my hands as he quickly went to the closest stall available. An older woman at the next sink gave a disapproving look. I would rather a man accompany his daughter into the women’s bathroom than take her into the men’s bathroom for a number of reasons. Do what you gotta do, dad.”

Now, personally, I don’t think there’s a wrong answer here. Whether the dad wants to bring his daughter into a women’s space or if he has her tag along in the men’s room. For me, it comes down to personal preference and convenience. After all, the child is accompanied and everyone is there to do their business and leave.

But there was some debate.

Most commenters thought the dad did the right thing.

“Men’s bathrooms are disgusting, open urinals with men using them with their dongs out and overall not okay for small children boys or girls,” scoffed one Threads user. “Men can always bring their children into a woman’s bathroom. I’ll fight anyone over that! Keep children safe, period.”

“I don’t know why some people have a problem with this. Women’s bathrooms, unlike men’ s are more private,” another agreed. “The father wouldn’t be seeing anything. In a men’s bathroom the child would walk in to men exposed. Hello!”

But not everyone agreed.

“Let’s hold space for those who aren’t comfortable with a man entering with his daughter,” suggested one. “You might not have an issue yet your belief doesn’t trump other women in the bathroom nor does it give you the right to invalidate their feelings on it. He also could have asked the women in the bathroom if it was ok to enter and allowed those who objected to finish and leave or he could have asked if the women in the bathroom would assist his daughter. We as women need to stop invalidating other women’s concerns. They are entitled to their own feelings and feeling safe. You nor anyone else gets to override it.”

“No men in a women’s room. Highly inappropriate,” grumbled a second.

There were multiple suggestions that the dad should have asked a woman in the bathroom or going into the bathroom to help his child while he waited outside, though those were met with as many folks against the idea of having a stranger help a child with something so intimate. (Or assuming any random woman is going to be happy to sign up for the job.)

Many others (rightly) bemoaned the lack of family or explicitly gender neutral bathroom options.

And others were Team Anything Goes.

“Why does it matter? I have never been in a men’s public restroom where I could see anything private. Guys at the urinal aren’t standing 3 feet back waving their private parts for all to see,” said one. “There’s simply too much silliness over bathrooms. Take your child into whichever is convenient.”

“Sounds like an odd choice. My mom took me to the women’s room— I took my daughters to the men’s room,” shrugged another. “Who gives a crap— why are people so concerned with bathrooms?”

With so many opinions on the “right” answer, it’s a tricky situation for sure. But hopefully we can all come together and recognize that parents are out here trying our best.