Child safety online

Indonesia fines Platform X for pornographic content violations

Platform X has paid an administrative fine of nearly Rp80 million after failing to meet Indonesia’s content moderation requirements related to pornographic material, according to the country’s digital regulator.

The Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs said the payment was made on 12 December 2025, after a third warning letter and further exchanges with the company. Officials confirmed that Platform X appointed a representative to complete the process, who is based in Singapore.

The regulator welcomed the company’s compliance, framing the payment as a demonstration of responsibility by an electronic system operator under Indonesian law. Authorities said the move supports efforts to keep the national digital space safe, healthy, and productive.

All funds were processed through official channels and transferred directly to the state treasury managed by the Ministry of Finance, in line with existing regulations, the ministry said.

Officials said enforcement actions against domestic and global platforms, including those operating from regional hubs such as Singapore, remain a priority. The measures aim to protect children and vulnerable groups and encourage stronger content moderation and communication.

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Reddit challenges Australia’s teen social media ban

The US social media company, Reddit, has launched legal action in Australia as the country enforces the world’s first mandatory minimum age for social media access.

Reddit argues that banning users under 16 prevents younger Australians from taking part in political debate, instead of empowering them to learn how to navigate public discussion.

Lawyers representing the company argue that the rule undermines the implied freedom of political communication and could restrict future voters from understanding the issues that will shape national elections.

Australia’s ban took effect on December 10 and requires major platforms to block underage users or face penalties that can reach nearly 50 million Australian dollars.

Companies are relying on age inference and age estimation technologies to meet the obligation, although many have warned that the policy raises privacy concerns in addition to limiting online expression.

The government maintains that the law is designed to reduce harm for younger users and has confirmed that the list of prohibited platforms may expand as new safety issues emerge.

Reddit’s filing names the Commonwealth of Australia and Communications Minister Anika Wells. The minister’s office says the government intends to defend the law and will prioritise the protection of young Australians, rather than allowing open access to high-risk platforms.

The platform’s challenge follows another case brought by an internet rights group that claims the legislation represents an unfair restriction on free speech.

A separate list identifies services that remain open for younger users, such as Roblox, Pinterest and YouTube Kids. At the same time, platforms including Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, Reddit and X are blocked for those under sixteen.

The case is expected to shape future digital access rights in Australia, as online communities become increasingly central to political education and civic engagement among emerging voters.

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Three in ten US teens now use AI chatbots every day, survey finds

According to new data from the Pew Research Center, roughly 64% of US teens (aged 13–17) say they have used an AI chatbot; about three in ten (≈ 30%) report daily use. Among those teens, the leading chatbot is ChatGPT (used by 59%), followed by Gemini (23%) and Meta AI (20%).

The widespread adoption raises growing safety and welfare concerns. As teenagers increasingly rely on AI for information, companionship or emotional support, critics point to potential risks, including exposure to biased content, misinformation, or emotionally manipulative interactions, particularly among vulnerable youth.

Legal action has already followed, with families of at least two minors suing AI-developer companies after alleged harmful advice from chatbots.

Demographic patterns reveal that Black and Hispanic teens report higher daily usage rates (around 33-35%) compared to their White peers (≈ 22%). Daily use is also more common among older teens (15–17) than younger ones.

For policymakers and digital governance stakeholders, the findings add urgency to calls for AI-specific safeguarding frameworks, especially where young people are concerned. As AI tools become embedded in adolescent life, ensuring transparency, responsible design, and robust oversight will be critical to preventing unintended harms.

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Australian families receive eSafety support as the social media age limit takes effect

Australia has introduced a minimum age requirement of 16 for social media accounts during the week, marking a significant shift in its online safety framework.

The eSafety Commissioner has begun monitoring compliance, offering a protective buffer for young people as they develop digital skills and resilience. Platforms now face stricter oversight, with potential penalties for systemic breaches, and age assurance requirements for both new and current users.

Authorities stress that the new age rule forms part of a broader effort aimed at promoting safer online environments, rather than relying on isolated interventions. Australia’s online safety programmes continue to combine regulation, education and industry engagement.

Families and educators are encouraged to utilise the resources on the eSafety website, which now features information hubs that explain the changes, how age assurance works, and what young people can expect during the transition.

Regional and rural communities in Australia are receiving targeted support, acknowledging that the change may affect them more sharply due to limited local services and higher reliance on online platforms.

Tailored guidance, conversation prompts, and step-by-step materials have been produced in partnership with national mental health organisations.

Young people are reminded that they retain access to group messaging tools, gaming services and video conferencing apps while they await eligibility for full social media accounts.

eSafety officials underline that the new limit introduces a delay rather than a ban. The aim is to reduce exposure to persuasive design and potential harm while encouraging stronger digital literacy, emotional resilience and critical thinking.

Ongoing webinars and on-demand sessions provide additional support as the enforcement phase progresses.

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OpenAI launches training courses for workers and teachers

OpenAI has unveiled two training courses designed to prepare workers and educators for careers shaped by AI. The new AI Foundations course is delivered directly inside ChatGPT, enabling learners to practise tasks, receive guidance, and earn a credential that signals job-ready skills.

Employers, including Walmart, John Deere, Lowe’s, BCG and Accenture, are among the early adopters. Public-sector partners in the US are also joining pilots, while universities such as Arizona State and the California State system are testing certification pathways for students.

A second course, ChatGPT Foundations for Teachers, is available on Coursera and is designed for K-12 educators. It introduces core concepts, classroom applications and administrative uses, reflecting growing teacher reliance on AI tools.

OpenAI states that demand for AI skills is increasing rapidly, with workers trained in the field earning significantly higher salaries. The company frames the initiative as a key step toward its upcoming jobs platform.

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Rising UK screen time sparks concerns for wellbeing

UK internet use has risen sharply, with adults spending over four and a half hours a day online in 2025, according to Ofcom’s latest Online Nation report.

Public sentiment has cooled, as fewer people now believe the internet is good for society, despite most still judging its benefits to outweigh the risks.

Children report complex online experiences, with many enjoying their digital time while also acknowledging adverse effects such as the so-called ‘brain rot’ linked to endless scrolling.

Significant portions of young people’s screen time occur late at night on major platforms, raising concerns about well-being.

New rules requiring age checks for UK pornography sites prompted a surge in VPN use as people attempted to bypass restrictions, although numbers have since declined.

Young users increasingly turn to online tools such as ASMR for relaxation, yet many also encounter toxic self-improvement content and body shaming.

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Australia enforces under-16 social media ban as new rules took effect

Australia has finally introduced the world’s first nationwide prohibition on social media use for under-16s, forcing platforms to delete millions of accounts and prevent new registrations.

Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, YouTube, Snapchat, Reddit, Twitch, Kick and Threads are removing accounts held by younger users. At the same time, Bluesky has agreed to apply the same standard despite not being compelled to do so. The only central platform yet to confirm compliance is X.

The measure follows weeks of age-assurance checks, which have not been flawless, with cases of younger teenagers passing facial-verification tests designed to keep them offline.

Families are facing sharply different realities. Some teenagers feel cut off from friends who managed to bypass age checks, while others suddenly gain a structure that helps reduce unhealthy screen habits.

A small but vocal group of parents admit they are teaching their children how to use VPNs and alternative methods instead of accepting the ban, arguing that teenagers risk social isolation when friends remain active.

Supporters of the legislation counter that Australia imposes clear age limits in other areas of public life for reasons of well-being and community standards, and the same logic should shape online environments.

Regulators are preparing to monitor the transition closely.

The eSafety Commissioner will demand detailed reports from every platform covered by the law, including the volume of accounts removed, evidence of efforts to stop circumvention and assessments of whether reporting and appeals systems are functioning as intended.

Companies that fail to take reasonable steps may face significant fines. A government-backed academic advisory group will study impacts on behaviour, well-being, learning and unintended shifts towards more dangerous corners of the internet.

Global attention is growing as several countries weigh similar approaches. Denmark, Norway and Malaysia have already indicated they may replicate Australia’s framework, and the EU has endorsed the principle in a recent resolution.

Interest from abroad signals a broader debate about how societies should balance safety and autonomy for young people in digital spaces, instead of relying solely on platforms to set their own rules.

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Teen chatbot use surges across the US

Nearly a third of US teenagers engage with AI chatbots each day, according to new Pew data. Researchers say nearly 70% have tried a chatbot, reflecting growing dependence on digital tools during schoolwork and leisure time. Concerns remain over exposure to mature content and possible mental health harms.

Pew surveyed almost 1,500 US teens aged 13 to 17, finding broadly similar usage patterns across gender and income. Older teens reported higher engagement, while Black and Hispanic teens showed slightly greater adoption than White peers.

Experts warn that frequent chatbot use may hinder development or encourage cheating in academic settings. Safety groups have urged parents to limit access to companion-like AI tools, citing risks posed by romantic or intimate interactions with minors.

Companies are now rolling out safeguards in response to public scrutiny and legal pressure. OpenAI and Character.AI have tightened controls, while Meta says it has adjusted policies following reports of inappropriate exchanges.

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Teens worldwide divided over Australia’s under-16 social media ban

As Australia prepares to enforce the world’s first nationwide under-16 social-media ban on 10 December 2025, young people across the globe are voicing sharply different views about the move.

Some teens view it as an opportunity for a digital ‘detox’, a chance to step back from the constant social media pressure. Others argue the law is extreme, unfair, and likely to push youth toward less regulated corners of the internet.

In Mumbai, 19-year-old Pratigya Jena said the debate isn’t simple: ‘nothing is either black or white.’ She acknowledged that social media can help young entrepreneurs, but also warned that unrestricted access exposes children to inappropriate content.

Meanwhile, in Berlin, 13-year-old Luna Drewes expressed cautious optimism; she felt the ban might help reduce the pressure to conform to beauty standards that are often amplified online. Another teen, 15-year-old Enno Caro Brandes, said he understood the motivation but admitted he couldn’t imagine giving up social media altogether.

In Doha, older teens voiced more vigorous opposition. Sixteen-year-old Firdha Razak called the ban ‘really stupid,’ while sixteen-year-old Youssef Walid argued that it would be trivial to bypass using VPNs. Both said they feared losing vital social and communication outlets.

Some, like 15-year-old Mitchelle Okinedo from Lagos, suggested the ban ignored how deeply embedded social media is in modern life: ‘We were born with it,’ she said, hinting that simply cutting access may be unrealistic. Others noted the role of social media in self-expression, especially in areas where offline spaces are limited.

Even within Australia, opinions diverge. A 15-year-old named Layton Lewis said he doubted the ban would have significant effects. His mother, Emily, meanwhile, welcomed the change, hoping it might encourage more authentic offline friendships rather than ‘illusory’ online interactions.

The variety of reactions underscores how the law is approaching a stark test: while some see potential mental health or safety gains, many worry about the rights of teens, enforcement effectiveness, and whether simply banning access truly addresses the underlying risks.

As commentary and activism ramp up around digital-age regulation, few expect consensus, but many do expect the debate to shape future policy beyond Australia.

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Japan weighs easing rules on personal data use

Japan is preparing to relax restrictions on personal data use to support rapid AI development. Government sources say a draft bill aims to expand third-party access to sensitive information.

Plans include allowing medical histories and criminal records to be obtained without consent for statistical purposes. Japanese officials argue such access could accelerate research while strengthening domestic competitiveness.

New administrative fines would target companies that profit from unlawfully acquired data affecting large groups. Penalties would match any gains made through misconduct, reflecting growing concern over privacy abuses.

A government panel has reviewed the law since 2023 and intends to present reforms soon. Debate is expected to intensify as critics warn of increased risks to individual rights if support for AI development in this regard continues.

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