Children’s rights

EU moves to extend child abuse detection rules

The European Commission has proposed extending the Interim Regulation that allows online service providers to voluntarily detect and report child sexual abuse instead of facing a legal gap once the current rules expire.

These measures would preserve existing safeguards while negotiations on permanent legislation continue.

The Interim Regulation enables providers of certain communication services to identify and remove child sexual abuse material under a temporary exemption from e-Privacy rules.

Without an extension beyond April 2026, voluntary detection would have to stop, making it easier for offenders to share illegal material and groom children online.

According to the Commission, proactive reporting by platforms has played a critical role for more than fifteen years in identifying abuse and supporting criminal investigations. Extending the interim framework until April 2028 is intended to maintain these protections until long-term EU rules are agreed.

The proposal now moves to the European Parliament and the Council, with the Commission urging swift agreement to ensure continued protection for children across the Union.

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Google study shows teens embrace AI

Google’s new study, The Future Report, surveyed over 7,000 teenagers across Europe about their use of digital technologies. Most respondents describe themselves as curious, critical, and optimistic about AI in their daily lives.

Many teens use AI daily or several times a week for learning, creativity, and exploring new topics. They report benefits such as instant feedback and more engaging learning while remaining cautious about over-reliance.

Young people value personalised content recommendations and algorithmic suggestions, but emphasise verifying information and avoiding bias. They adopt strategies to verify sources and ensure the trustworthiness of online content.

The report emphasises the importance of digital literacy, safety, balanced technology use, and youth engagement in shaping the digital future. Participants request guidance from educators and transparent AI design to promote the responsible and ethical use of AI.

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Russia considers restoring Roblox access after compliance talks

Roblox has signalled willingness to comply with Russian law, opening the possibility of the platform being unblocked in Russia following earlier access restrictions.

Roskomnadzor stated that cooperation could resume if Roblox demonstrates concrete steps instead of declarations towards meeting domestic legal requirements.

The regulator said Roblox acknowledged shortcomings in moderating game content and ensuring the safety of user chats, particularly involving minors.

Russian authorities stressed that compliance would require systematic measures to remove harmful material and prevent criminal communication rather than partial adjustments.

Access to Roblox was restricted in early December after officials cited the spread of content linked to extremist and terrorist activity.

Roskomnadzor indicated that continued engagement and demonstrable compliance could allow the platform to restore operations under the regulatory oversight of Russia.

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Denmark pushes digital identity beyond authentication

Digital identity has long focused on proving that the same person returns each time they log in. The function still matters, yet online representation increasingly happens through faces, voices and mannerisms embedded in media rather than credentials alone.

As synthetic media becomes easier to generate and remix, identity shifts from an access problem to a problem of media authenticity.

The ‘Own Your Face’ proposal by Denmark reflects the shift by treating personal likeness as something that should be controllable in the same way accounts are controlled.

Digital systems already verify who is requesting access, yet lack a trusted middle layer to manage what is being shown when media claims to represent a real person. The proxy model illustrates how an intermediary layer can bring structure, consistency and trust to otherwise unmanageable flows.

Efforts around content provenance point toward a practical path forward. By attaching machine-verifiable history to media at creation and preserving it as content moves, identity extends beyond login to representation.

Broad adoption would not eliminate deception, yet it would raise the baseline of trust by replacing visual guesswork with evidence, helping digital identity evolve for an era shaped by synthetic media.

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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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Universities back generative AI but guidance remains uneven

A majority of leading US research universities are encouraging the use of generative AI in teaching, according to a new study analysing institutional policies and guidance documents across higher education.

The research reviewed publicly available policies from 116 R1 universities and found that 63 percent explicitly support the use of generative AI, while 41 percent provide detailed classroom guidance. More than half of the institutions also address ethical considerations linked to AI adoption.

Most guidance focuses on writing-related activities, with far fewer references to coding or STEM applications. The study notes that while many universities promote experimentation, expectations placed on faculty can be demanding, often implying significant changes to teaching practices.

US researchers also found wide variation in how universities approach oversight. Some provide sample syllabus language and assignment design advice, while others discourage the use of AI-detection tools, citing concerns around reliability and academic trust.

The authors caution that policy statements may not reflect real classroom behaviour and say further research is needed to understand how generative AI is actually being used by educators and students in practice.

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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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EU survey shows strong public backing for digital literacy in schools

A new Eurobarometer survey finds that Europeans want digital skills to hold the same status in schools as reading, mathematics and science.

Citizens view digital competence as essential for learning, future employment and informed participation in public life.

Nine in ten respondents believe that schools should guide pupils on how to handle the harmful effects of digital technologies on their mental health and well-being, rather than treating such issues as secondary concerns.

Most Europeans also support a more structured approach to online information. Eight in ten say digital literacy helps them avoid misinformation, while nearly nine in ten want teachers to be fully prepared to show students how to recognise false content.

A majority continues to favour restrictions on smartphones in schools, yet an even larger share supports the use of digital tools specifically designed for learning.

More than half find that AI brings both opportunities and risks for classrooms, which they believe should be examined in greater depth.

Almost half want the EU to shape standards for the use of educational technologies, including rules on AI and data protection.

The findings will inform the European Commission’s 2030 Roadmap on digital education and skills, scheduled for release next year as part of the Union of Skills initiative.

A survey carried out across all member states reflects a growing expectation that digital education should become a central pillar of Europe’s teaching systems, rather than an optional enhancement.

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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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