Child safety online

Australian influencer family moves to UK over child social media ban

An Australian influencer family known as the Empire Family is relocating to the UK to avoid Australia’s new social media ban for under-16s, which begins in December. The law requires major platforms to take steps preventing underage users from creating or maintaining accounts.

The family, comprising mothers Beck and Bec Lea, their 17-year-old son Prezley and 14-year-old daughter Charlotte, said the move will allow Charlotte to continue creating online content. She has hundreds of thousands of followers across YouTube, TikTok and Instagram, with all accounts managed by her parents.

Beck said they support the government’s intent to protect young people from harm but are concerned about the uncertainty surrounding enforcement methods, such as ID checks or facial recognition. She said the family wanted stability while the system is clarified.

The Australia ban, described as a world first, will apply to Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X and YouTube. Non-compliant firms could face fines of up to A$50 million, while observers say the rules raise new privacy and data protection concerns.

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UK traffic to Pornhub plunges after age-verification law

In response to the UK’s new age-verification law, Pornhub reports that visits from UK users have fallen by about 77 %.

The change comes following legislation designed to block under-18s from accessing adult sites via mandatory age checks.

The company states that it began enforcing the verification system early in October, noting that many users are now turned away or fail the checks.

According to Pornhub, this explains the significant decrease in traffic from the UK. The platform emphasised that this is a reflection of compliance rather than an admission of harm.

Critics argue that the law creates risks of overblocking and privacy concerns, as users may turn to less regulated or unsafe alternatives. This case also underscores tensions between content regulation, digital rights and the efficacy of age-gating as a tool.

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Australian police create AI tool to decode predators’ slang

Australian police are developing an AI tool with Microsoft to decode slang and emojis used by online predators. The technology is designed to interpret coded messages in digital conversations to help investigators detect harmful intent more quickly.

Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett said social media has become a breeding ground for exploitation, bullying, and radicalisation. The AI based prototype, she explained, could allow officers to identify threats earlier and rescue children before abuse occurs.

Barrett also warned about the rise of so-called ‘crimefluencers’, offenders using social media trends to lure young victims, many of whom are pre-teen or teenage girls. Australian authorities believe understanding modern online language is key to disrupting their methods.

The initiative follows Australia’s new under-16 social media ban, due to take effect in December. Regulators worldwide are monitoring the country’s approach as governments struggle to balance online safety with privacy and digital rights.

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EU considers classifying ChatGPT as a search engine under the DSA. What are the implications?

The European Commission is pondering whether OpenAI’s ChatGPT should be designated as a ‘Very Large Online Search Engine’ (VLOSE) under the Digital Services Act (DSA), a move that could reshape how generative AI tools are regulated across Europe.

OpenAI recently reported that ChatGPT’s search feature reached 120.4 million monthly users in the EU over the past six months, well above the 45 million threshold that triggers stricter obligations for major online platforms and search engines. The Commission confirmed it is reviewing the figures and assessing whether ChatGPT meets the criteria for designation.

The key question is whether ChatGPT’s live search function should be treated as an independent service or as part of the chatbot as a whole. Legal experts note that the DSA applies to intermediary services such as hosting platforms or search engines, categories that do not neatly encompass generative AI systems.

Implications for OpenAI

If designated, ChatGPT would be the first AI chatbot formally subject to DSA obligations, including systemic risk assessments, transparency reporting, and independent audits. OpenAI would need to evaluate how ChatGPT affects fundamental rights, democratic processes, and mental health, updating its systems and features based on identified risks.

‘As part of mitigation measures, OpenAI may need to adapt ChatGPT’s design, features, and functionality,’ said Laureline Lemoine of AWO. ‘Compliance could also slow the rollout of new tools in Europe if risk assessments aren’t planned in advance.’

The company could also face new data-sharing obligations under Article 40 of the DSA, allowing vetted researchers to request information about systemic risks and mitigation efforts, potentially extending to model data or training processes.

A test case for AI oversight

Legal scholars say the decision could set a precedent for generative AI regulation across the EU. ‘Classifying ChatGPT as a VLOSE will expand scrutiny beyond what’s currently covered under the AI Act,’ said Natali Helberger, professor of information law at the University of Amsterdam.

Experts warn the DSA would shift OpenAI from voluntary AI-safety frameworks and self-defined benchmarks to binding obligations, moving beyond narrow ‘bias tests’ to audited systemic-risk assessments, transparency and mitigation duties. ‘The DSA’s due diligence regime will be a tough reality check,’ said Mathias Vermeulen, public policy director at AWO.

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Character.ai restricts teen chat access on its platform

The AI chatbot service, Character.ai, has announced that teenagers can no longer chat with its AI characters from 25 November.

Under-18s will instead be limited to generating content such as videos, as the platform responds to concerns over risky interactions and lawsuits in the US.

Character.ai has faced criticism after avatars related to sensitive cases were discovered on the site, prompting safety experts and parents to call for stricter measures.

The company cited feedback from regulators and safety specialists, explaining that AI chatbots can pose emotional risks for young users by feigning empathy or providing misleading encouragement.

Character.ai also plans to introduce new age verification systems and fund a research lab focused on AI safety, alongside enhancing role-play and storytelling features that are less likely to place teens in vulnerable situations.

Safety campaigners welcomed the decision but emphasised that preventative measures should have been implemented.

Experts warn the move reflects a broader shift in the AI industry, where platforms increasingly recognise the importance of child protection in a landscape transitioning from permissionless innovation to more regulated oversight.

Analysts note the challenge for Character.ai will be maintaining teen engagement without encouraging unsafe interactions.

Separating creative play from emotionally sensitive exchanges is key, and the company’s new approach may signal a maturing phase in AI development, where responsible innovation prioritises the protection of young users.

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ChatGPT offers wellness checks for long chat sessions

OpenAI has introduced new features in ChatGPT to encourage healthier use for people who spend extended periods chatting with the AI. Users may see a pop-up message reading ‘Just checking in. You’ve been chatting for a while, is this a good time for a break?’.

Users can dismiss it or continue, helping to prevent excessive screen time while staying flexible. The update also guides high-stakes personal decisions.

ChatGPT will not give direct advice on sensitive topics such as relationships, but instead asks questions and encourages reflection, helping users consider their options safely.

OpenAI acknowledged that AI can feel especially personal for vulnerable individuals. Earlier versions sometimes struggled to recognise signs of emotional dependency or distress.

The company is improving the model to detect these cases and direct users to evidence-based resources when needed, making long interactions safer and more mindful.

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Meta and TikTok agree to comply with Australia’s under-16 social media ban

Meta and TikTok have confirmed they will comply with Australia’s new law banning under-16s from using social media platforms, though both warned it will be difficult to enforce. The legislation, taking effect on 10 December, will require major platforms to remove accounts belonging to users under that age.

The law is among the world’s strictest, but regulators and companies are still working out how it will be implemented. Social media firms face fines of up to A$49.5 million if found in breach, yet they are not required to verify every user’s age directly.

TikTok’s Australia policy head, Ella Woods-Joyce, warned the ban could drive children toward unregulated online spaces lacking safety measures. Meta’s director, Mia Garlick, acknowledged the ‘significant engineering and age assurance challenges’ involved in detecting and removing underage users.

Critics including YouTube and digital rights groups have labelled the ban vague and rushed, arguing it may not achieve its aim of protecting children online. The government maintains that platforms must take ‘reasonable steps’ to prevent young users from accessing their services.

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New ChatGPT model reduces unsafe replies by up to 80%

OpenAI has updated ChatGPT’s default model after working with more than 170 mental health clinicians to help the system better spot distress, de-escalate conversations and point users to real-world support.

The update routes sensitive exchanges to safer models, expands access to crisis hotlines and adds gentle prompts to take breaks, aiming to reduce harmful responses rather than simply offering more content.

Measured improvements are significant across three priority areas: severe mental health symptoms such as psychosis and mania, self-harm and suicide, and unhealthy emotional reliance on AI.

OpenAI reports that undesired responses fell between 65 and 80 percent in production traffic and that independent clinician reviews show significant gains compared with earlier models. At the same time, rare but high-risk scenarios remain a focus for further testing.

The company used a five-step process to shape the changes: define harms, measure them, validate approaches with experts, mitigate risks through post-training and product updates, and keep iterating.

Evaluations combine real-world traffic estimates with structured adversarial tests, so better ChatGPT safeguards are in place now, and further refinements are planned as understanding and measurement methods evolve.

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Church of Greece launches AI tool LOGOS for believers

LOGOS, a digital tool developed by the Metropolis of Nea Ionia, Filadelfia, Iraklio and Halkidona alongside the University of the Aegean, has marked the Church of Greece’s entry into the age of AI.

The tool gathers information on questions of Christian faith and provides clear, practical answers instead of replacing human guidance.

Metropolitan Gabriel, who initiated the project, emphasised that LOGOS does not substitute priests but acts as a guide, bringing believers closer to the Church. He said the Church must engage the digital world, insisting that technology should serve humanity instead of the other way around.

An AI tool that also supports younger users, allowing them to safely access accurate information on Orthodox teachings and counter misleading or harmful content found online. While it cannot receive confessions, it offers prayers and guidance to prepare believers spiritually.

The Church views LOGOS as part of a broader strategy to embrace digital tools responsibly, ensuring that faith remains accessible and meaningful in the modern technological landscape.

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EU investigates Meta and TikTok for DSA breaches

The European Commission has accused Meta and TikTok of breaching the Digital Services Act (DSA), highlighting failures in handling illegal content and providing researchers access to public data.

Meta’s Facebook and Instagram were found to make it too difficult for users to report illegal content or receive responses to complaints, the Commission said in its preliminary findings.

Investigations began after complaints to Ireland’s content regulator, where Meta’s EU base is located. The Commission’s inquiry, which has been ongoing since last year, aims to ensure that large platforms protect users and meet EU safety obligations.

Meta and TikTok can submit counterarguments before penalties of up to six percent of global annual turnover are imposed.

Both companies face separate concerns about denying researchers adequate access to platform data and preventing oversight of systemic online risks. TikTok is under further examination for minor protection and advertising transparency issues.

The Commission has launched 14 such DSA-related proceedings, none concluded.

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