Elon Musk slammed the UK's proposed ban on social media access for under-16s, calling it a 'police state' and 'censorship law' with the 'real goal' of government tracking. French President Macron praised the move, sparking the exchange.
A 2026 Digital News Report reveals most Australian adults under 25 never use newspapers or radio for news. Despite this, overall news interest, especially among women and young people, has risen. Social media and AI chatbots are growing news sources.
Six young people have been arrested after a ute with a baby inside was stolen from a driveway in Townsville, North Queensland. The baby, left in a car seat, was found unharmed on the side of the road after the alleged thieves returned and abandoned the vehicle.
As France arrives for the World Cup, Kylian Mbappé is a major draw for locals and a focus for media. Coach Didier Deschamps navigates managing Mbappé's fame and political stances, while also managing expectations for Ousmane Dembélé and the team's chances.
UK PM Keir Starmer announced a ban on social media for under-16s, set for spring 2027, to protect children. Platforms like TikTok and Instagram will be affected, though messaging apps like WhatsApp are exempt. The move faces criticism from tech companies and some young people.
Parents in Australia share mixed views on the six-month-old social media ban for under-16s. While some find it a useful tool to reduce arguments and guide children away from online risks, others believe it's ineffective and difficult to enforce, leaving teens feeling excluded.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced plans to ban children under 16 from using social media apps such as TikTok and Snapchat, aiming to protect them from harmful content and excessive screen time. The ban, expected early next year, aligns the UK with a global trend of increasing online child safety measures.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced a ban on social media for children under 16, set to take effect in spring 2027. The measures aim to protect minors from online harms, with exceptions for messaging apps like WhatsApp and Signal. The ban follows a public consultation and mirrors similar actions taken in Australia.
The UK plans to ban individuals under 16 from social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram, with legislation expected by year-end and enforcement in spring 2027. The ban, inspired by Australia's model, will also restrict gaming app features and aims to protect children.
India's total fertility rate has fallen to 1.9, below the 2.1 needed to sustain its population. Factors include better education, access to contraceptives, rising costs of living, and a growing focus on careers, leading many young people to choose fewer or no children.
Young Chinese people are turning to online content creators acting as 'virtual parents' for emotional support, as they face immense pressure from families and a competitive society. These creators offer unconditional affection and understanding, contrasting with the critical expectations often received from biological parents.
Six months after Australia's world-first social media ban for under-16s, young people report it's ineffective. Many still access platforms, citing easily bypassed age verification methods like facial scans. Experts suggest platforms aren't fully implementing available technologies.
A report suggests UK youth unemployment could rise to 1.25 million. Readers offer advice to young job seekers, emphasizing networking, self-belief, skill development, and maintaining well-being amidst job search challenges.
Film director turned online safety campaigner Beeban Kidron discusses the dangers of the digital age for children, her new book "Users," and her frustration with political inaction. She highlights the emotional toll of online abuse and criticizes big tech's influence and government failures to protect users.
A UK government consultation on children's online safety is considering an under-16 ban for "high-risk" social media platforms. While 90% of parents support such a ban, teenagers express mixed opinions, with some concerned about business marketing and others about privacy and addiction.
Perth's Youth Beat team patrols entertainment districts on weekend nights, offering support to children and teenagers found without adult supervision. The initiative, a collaboration between police, a non-profit, crisis care, and an Aboriginal organization, aims to help vulnerable youth who are 'falling through the cracks' of existing services, addressing issues like school disengagement, mental health struggles, and homelessness.
Perth's Youth Beat team patrols entertainment districts on weekend nights to find and support children and teenagers who are unsupervised and vulnerable. The team, a collaboration between police, a non-profit, crisis care, and an Aboriginal organization, helps an increasing number of young people, many of whom are Aboriginal and experiencing poverty, mental health issues, or family instability.
Barclays is set to acquire the UK business of GoHenry, a fintech company offering children's debit cards and money management apps, from Acorns. The deal aims to boost Barclays' presence in the youth banking market, particularly targeting affluent families, and is expected to complete next year.
Jeff Bezos' new AI company, Prometheus, aims to create an artificial general engineer, sparking debate over AI's impact on jobs. Bezos claims AI will increase productivity and create more opportunities, despite concerns from a Reuters/Ipsos poll and recent U.S. job cuts attributed to AI.
A federal judge in California has temporarily blocked hospitals from producing documents in response to criminal subpoenas from the DOJ seeking records of transgender youth's medical files, personnel files of clinicians, and details on transgender healthcare, amid the Trump administration's goal to end gender-affirming care for youth.
A one-off Meningitis B vaccine programme will be offered to ~1 million young people in England, Wales, and Scotland, targeting those in their last year of secondary school and 18-25-year-olds entering university/residential further education, due to concerns over recent outbreaks in Kent, Weymouth, and Reading.
A decade-long study of 1,200 Melbourne students found that spending over two hours daily on social media was associated with a small increased risk of depressive symptoms, particularly in early adolescence (12-18 years old).
Thousands of young people in the UK, like Thomas and Hannah, face prolonged unemployment, relying on universal credit and struggling with low-paying jobs or no work at all. The crisis is exacerbated by the cost of living, the impact of COVID-19, and the rise of AI.
India will deploy the Indian Air Force to transport medical entrance exam papers for a retest on June 21, following the cancellation of results for over 2 million students due to widespread leaks. Officials will be under strict surveillance.
