Benchmark Blog

Contact Interventions are Effective at Reducing Prejudice

The impact of intergroup contact on prejudice and discrimination explored in a meta-analysis. Discover the potential of creating inclusive societies.

AI’s Role in the Fight Against Wildfires

AI’s application to the realm of wildfires is diverse, and it is quickly becoming an asset in every stage of wildfire response.

Establishing secure uranium supply chains for a future of abundant energy

Nuclear energy is on the rise. For decades, the number of nuclear power plants around the world has remained fairly constant. There were over 400 nuclear reactors operating globally in 1987. By the end of 2022, that number had only grown to 440. But momentum is growing thanks to a number of factors, including increasing […]

Administrative Law Symposium

Interrelated due process deficits have arisen as the regulatory state has grown larger. A look at how this growth impact courts’ traditional role in resolving disputes.

Why Utah farmers use so much water, and how we can get them to use less

Utah’s water crisis has been exacerbated by climate change. However, much of the water shortage can be attributed to the historic misallocation of water rights in the state. In our current system, less than 10 percent of Utah’s total water is consumed by municipal users. Then why is current legislation aimed at water conservation so […]

Why our efforts to leave Earth may just help save it

If we asked you to guess the most inhospitable place humans have ever lived, where would you pick? Perhaps Siberia, where this past January a town of 1,000 residents saw a record low of﹣80°F? Or would you choose Death Valley, California, where temperatures regularly top 120°F during the summer, and where the world’s hottest temperature […]

Passing the buck on conservation funding

Every year, millions of hunters and anglers enter the wilderness to capture wildlife. Once seen as an authentic symbol of American life, these activities have since become controversial. Regardless of how individuals feel about outdoor enthusiasts posing with captured wildlife, one group consistently remains jubilant: state wildlife officials. These wildlife officials celebrate a high number […]

Perspectives on Jonathan Haidt’s Social Media Research

Researchers do not have a clear picture of the relationship between social media and rising rates of mental illness in adolescents. As a result, policy should reflect this uncertainty.

A women looking at a phone next to her child

Key Resources for Parents

Parents play an important role in helping children have a safe and constructive relationship with technology. This responsibility can feel overwhelming, but there is a large community of organizations to help parents make responsible and informed choices.

A group of kids looking at a phone together

6 Ways to Keep Teens Safe Online

Regardless of any future policies, parents, caregivers, and local communities will remain at the frontlines of helping teens stay safe online. Here are six ways to do that.

5 Things Parents and Lawmakers Need To Know About Regulating and Banning Social Media

While lawmakers and child advocacy groups are admirable in their intention to protect children via social media regulations, bans and other strong regulations will merely kick the issue down the road.

5 Things Parents and Lawmakers Need To Know About Social Media

Everyone wants to know how to protect kids in this age of technology. It is hard not to be alarmed by what is being said of technology, especially of social media, and how it may or may not be affecting children. Here are five things you need to know from the CGO.

Social Media and Minors

This legislative session has seen a proliferation of bills related to minors and social media. Check out the latest CGO research diving into the complex concerns below.

Cameras, Crowdsourcing, Computers, and CRISPR for Conservation

As technology continue to develop, so does the potential to help endangered species. We need to explore ways to implement them.

Are Utah’s social media bills the path forward?

Utah is making waves for a pair of bills aimed at protecting kids from social media. But there is much more in the bills than what is being noted in the press.

Fighting Fires from Outer Space

With the support of policymakers, integrating better satellite detection and imagery for wildfire detection can be the future of firefighting.

Poll: Americans Don’t Want To Share Their Photo ID To Tweet

Poll: 7 out of 10 Americans are uncomfortable sharing their child's government identification documents with social media companies in order to verify age.

Immigrants are huge economic contributors

In the face of a potential national recession, local policymakers have a powerful tool: welcoming immigration policies.

Immigration Game

No one is happy with the US immigration system. See how much you know about historical immigration by drawing lines for common immigration trends.

Takedown Game

Are you smarter than a content moderator? Do you have what it takes to moderate social media content? Play our game to find out!

Congress should legalize supersonic flight

Let's Make America Boom Again! Why supersonic flight is banned and how Congress can step in to get the supersonic industry moving again.

Content Moderation

What is content moderation and why might it be difficult?

Making Ex-Convicts More Employable

With the Federal Bond Program's apparent efficiency and potential for societal impacts, policymakers should look for ways to better utilize and scale up this program to reduce poverty and recidivism among ex-convicts, while also boosting the economy.

A few things to know about JCPA

The Senate is considering a bill to help journalism survive by forcing the largest tech platforms like Meta and Google into payment deals. At the end of the day, Journalism Competition and Preservation Act (JCPA) would act as a transfer, much like a tax, in shifting money from social media platforms to newspapers.