A study by Australia's eSafety found over 81% of under-16s still use social media, three months after a government ban, due to tech firms' failure to implement effective age checks. Parental awareness of children's online habits has also decreased.
EU's pro-competition proposals may expose Google Search to hacking risks. OnePlus exits North America and Europe. San Francisco targets 'nudify' apps. Debate on banning social media for kids. China outsmarts Anthropic's geolocation. Europe seeks its own AI, leveraging the Trump factor.
US Ambassador Warren Stephens warned the UK could face tariffs if Prime Minister Andy Burnham raises taxes on American tech giants, also criticizing the government's social media ban for under 16s.
Countries worldwide are enacting social media bans for youth due to mental health concerns, but child rights organizations warn these measures may create new risks and fail to address root causes, advocating instead for platform redesign and digital literacy.
France has become the first EU country to approve a bill banning social media for children under 15 and mobile phones in high schools, citing concerns over harmful digital content. The legislation, supported by parents and advocates, faces constitutional review and enforcement challenges, with opposition from some lawmakers.
France's parliament has approved a law to ban social media for under-15s from January 2027, making it the first European country to do so. The law requires age verification for all users, a move welcomed by President Macron but met with skepticism regarding its viability and privacy concerns.
French lawmakers passed a law banning social media access for children under 15, making France the first EU country to do so. New accounts are banned from Sept 1, 2024, and existing ones by Jan 2027. The move follows health warnings and President Macron's push, with the EU also considering similar measures.
France's parliament approved a bill banning social media for under-15s, making it the first European country to do so. President Macron championed the ban, set to start in September for new accounts and January 2027 for existing ones, despite some criticism.
French lawmakers are urgently seeking a compromise on a bill to ban social media for children under 15, aiming for implementation by September. The bill, backed by President Macron, faces EU compatibility concerns and divergence between the National Assembly and Senate on platform scope.
Candice Odgers argues against banning social media for teens, citing limited evidence linking it to mental health issues, while Jonathan Haidt supports restrictions, highlighting perceived harms.
A roundup of tech news including Estonia's AI "Fuckup Finder" inspired by a costly wording mistake, the UK's ban on social media for kids under 16, hackers claiming to leak Madison Square Garden data, and concerns over Google Search data security.
As Keir Starmer departs as British prime minister, he leaves presumptive successor Andy Burnham with four significant policy challenges: an unfunded defense plan, a controversial social media ban for teens, unfinished European agreements, and the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.
The AI industry is undergoing a financial stress test as global markets slump, with major tech stocks like Alphabet, Samsung, and SK Hynix experiencing significant drops. Concurrently, California's proposed billionaire tax is influencing political discourse, prompting Governor Gavin Newsom to propose a nationwide minimum tax on the super-wealthy.
Australia plans to double fines to $99m for social media platforms violating the under-16 ban, amid concerns over ineffective enforcement and calls for stricter algorithm regulation.
Former Meta whistleblower Arturo Béjar highlights parental dread over children's online safety, as the UK sets a minimum age of 16 for major social media platforms, following Australia's precedent. Governments worldwide, except the US, are increasingly implementing age restrictions amidst growing distrust of social media platforms' safety measures.
Australia increases maximum penalty to AUD 99 million for tech firms failing to enforce social media ban for under-16s, strengthens regulator's powers amid little observed impact on teen usage.
A University of Newcastle study published in the British Medical Journal found that over 85% of Australian teens under 16 continued using social media apps despite a ban and age checks. Most bypassed restrictions through self-declaration or using fake/other accounts, highlighting the ineffectiveness of current enforcement methods and offering lessons for other nations.
New EU data shows young people spend an average of 4.5 hours daily on screens, rising to over 6 hours on weekends. While many find screen time positive, concerns grow over negative impacts like sadness, stress, and difficulty concentrating. This has fueled calls for social media bans for minors, with some countries already implementing or considering such measures.
Explorer Scouts are launching new badges in content creation, digital communication, and online safety for 14-18 year olds. The initiative, based on consultations with nearly 3,000 teenagers, aims to equip them with skills for navigating AI, social media, and digital technology.
California's proposed billionaire tax faces a critical week as negotiations continue. Meanwhile, the UK's ban on social media for under-16s sparks debate, and SpaceX announces a major acquisition in the AI sector.
The UK's proposed social media ban for under-16s, set to take effect in 2027, has ignited a multifaceted debate. While campaigners welcome the move citing protection from online harms, critics argue it may infringe on civil liberties, fail due to workarounds, and have unintended consequences such as isolating vulnerable youth and impacting education. The ban could require millions to verify their age via official ID, potentially raising privacy concerns.
The UK plans to ban social media for under 16s, potentially requiring ID for platform access. This aims to reduce screen time but raises concerns about civil liberties, education, and unintended consequences like workarounds and isolation. Experts debate its effectiveness and impact on knowledge acquisition and online communities.
As a UK social media ban for under-16s looms, experts suggest replacing online connection with real-world activities like youth clubs, creative projects, and tech-based challenges, emphasizing purpose and belonging over passive scrolling.
The UAE has banned social media access for children under 15, requiring platforms to remove accounts of those under 15 within 12 months or face a ban. The move aims to protect children from inappropriate content and data collection.
