Study links higher screen time to weaker learning results in children

A study by researchers from Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children and St. Michael’s Hospital has found a correlation between increased screen time before age eight and lower scores in reading and mathematics.

Published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, the study followed over 3,000 Ontario children from 2008 to 2023, comparing reported screen use with their EQAO standardised test results.

Lead author Dr Catherine Birken said each additional hour of daily screen use was associated with about a 10 per cent lower likelihood of meeting provincial standards in reading and maths.

The research did not distinguish between different types of screen activity and was based on parental reports, meaning it shows association rather than causation.

Experts suggest the findings align with previous research showing that extensive screen exposure can affect focus and reduce time spent on beneficial activities such as face-to-face interaction or outdoor play.

Dr Sachin Maharaj from the University of Ottawa noted that screens may condition children’s attention spans in ways that make sustained learning more difficult.

While some parents, such as Surrey’s Anne Whitmore, impose limits to balance digital exposure and development, Birken stressed that the study was not intended to assign blame.

She said encouraging balanced screen habits should be a shared effort among parents, educators and health professionals, with an emphasis on quality content and co-viewing as recommended by the Canadian Paediatric Society.

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Google cautions Australia on youth social media ban proposal

The US tech giant, Google (also owner of YouTube), has reiterated its commitment to children’s online safety while cautioning against Australia’s proposed ban on social media use for those under 16.

Speaking before the Senate Environment and Communications References Committee, Google’s Public Policy Senior Manager Rachel Lord said the legislation, though well-intentioned, may be difficult to enforce and could have unintended effects.

Lord highlighted the 23-year presence of Google in Australia, contributing over $53 billion to the economy in 2024, while YouTube’s creative ecosystem added $970 million to GDP and supported more than 16,000 jobs.

She said the company’s investments, including the $1 billion Digital Future Initiative, reflect its long-term commitment to Australia’s digital development and infrastructure.

According to Lord, YouTube already provides age-appropriate products and parental controls designed to help families manage their children’s experiences online.

Requiring children to access YouTube without accounts, she argued, would remove these protections and risk undermining safe access to educational and creative content used widely in classrooms, music, and sport.

She emphasised that YouTube functions primarily as a video streaming platform rather than a social media network, serving as a learning resource for millions of Australian children.

Lord called for legislation that strengthens safety mechanisms instead of restricting access, saying the focus should be on effective safeguards and parental empowerment rather than outright bans.

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Age verification and online safety dominate EU ministers’ Horsens meeting

EU digital ministers are meeting in Horsens on 9–10 October to improve the protection of minors online. Age verification, child protection, and digital sovereignty are at the top of the agenda under the Danish EU Presidency.

The Informal Council Meeting on Telecommunications is hosted by the Ministry of Digital Affairs of Denmark and chaired by Caroline Stage. European Commission Executive Vice-President Henna Virkkunen is also attending to support discussions on shared priorities.

Ministers are considering measures to prevent children from accessing age-inappropriate platforms and reduce exposure to harmful features like addictive designs and adult content. Stronger safeguards across digital services are being discussed.

The talks also focus on Europe’s technological independence. Ministers aim to enhance the EU’s digital competitiveness and sovereignty while setting a clear direction ahead of the Commission’s upcoming Digital Fairness Act proposal.

A joint declaration, ‘The Jutland Declaration’, is expected as an outcome. It will highlight the need for stronger EU-level measures and effective age verification to create a safer online environment for children.

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Police arrest two teens after Kido data breach

Two 17-year-olds have been arrested in connection with a ransomware attack on the London-based nursery chain Kido, which led to the theft of data belonging to about 8,000 children. The Metropolitan Police confirmed the arrests took place in Bishop’s Stortford and Hertfordshire.

The suspects are accused of computer misuse and blackmail after hackers demanded a ransom of roughly £600,000 in Bitcoin. The stolen data included names, addresses, photographs, and parent contact details, some of which were briefly published on the darknet.

The hacking group, known as Radiant, claimed responsibility for the attack and later removed the files, saying they had deleted the data. Cybersecurity experts condemned the exposure of children’s personal details as one of the most serious breaches of its kind.

Kido said it fully cooperated with UK law enforcement and welcomed the police action, calling it an important step toward justice. The Metropolitan Police said the investigation remains ongoing as officers continue working to identify everyone involved.

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The global struggle to regulate children’s social media use

Finding equilibrium in children’s use of social media

Social media has become a defining part of modern childhood. Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat and YouTube offer connection, entertainment and information at an unprecedented scale.

Yet concerns have grown about their impact on children’s mental health, education, privacy and safety. Governments, parents and civil society increasingly debate whether children should access these spaces freely, with restrictions, or not at all.

The discussion is no longer abstract. Across the world, policymakers are moving beyond voluntary codes to legal requirements, some proposing age thresholds or even outright bans for minors.

Supporters argue that children face psychological harm and exploitation online, while critics caution that heavy restrictions can undermine rights, fail to solve root problems and create new risks.

The global conversation is now at a turning point, where choices about social media regulation will shape the next generation’s digital environment.

Why social media is both a lifeline and a threat for youth

The influence of social media on children is double-edged. On the one side, these platforms enable creativity, allow marginalised voices to be heard, and provide educational content. During the pandemic, digital networks offered a lifeline of social interaction when schools were closed.

multiracial group of school kids using touchpads and listening to a teacher during computer class

Children and teens can build communities around shared interests, learn new skills, and sometimes even gain economic opportunities through digital platforms.

On the other side, research has linked heavy use of social media with increased rates of anxiety, depression, disrupted sleep and body image issues among young users. Recommendation algorithms often push sensational or harmful content, reinforcing vulnerabilities rather than mitigating them.

Cyberbullying, exposure to adult material, and risks of predatory contact are persistent challenges. Instead of strengthening resilience, platforms often prioritise engagement metrics that exploit children’s attention and emotional responses.

The scale of the issue is enormous. Billions of children around the world hold smartphones before the age of 12. With digital life inseparable from daily routines, even well-meaning parents struggle to set boundaries.

Governments face pressure to intervene, but approaches vary widely, reflecting different cultural norms, levels of trust in technology firms, and political attitudes toward child protection.

The Australian approach

Australia is at the forefront of regulation. In recent years, the country has passed strong online safety laws, led by its eSafety Commissioner. These rules include mandatory age verification for certain online services and obligations for platforms to design products with child safety in mind.

Most notably, Australia has signalled its willingness to explore outright bans on general social media access for children under 16. The government has pointed to mounting evidence of harm, from cyberbullying to mental health concerns, and has emphasised the need for early intervention.

australian social media laws for children safety

Instead of leaving responsibility entirely to parents, the state argues that platforms themselves must redesign the way they serve children.

Critics highlight several problems. Age verification requires identity checks, which can endanger privacy and create surveillance risks. Bans may also drive children to use less-regulated spaces or fake their ages, undermining the intended protections.

Others argue that focusing only on prohibition overlooks the need for broader digital literacy education. Yet Australia’s regulatory leadership has sparked a wider debate, prompting other countries to reconsider their own approaches.

Greece’s strong position

Last week, Greece reignited the global debate with its own strong position on restricting youth access to social media.

Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly during an event hosted by Australia on digital child safety, PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis said his government was prepared to consider banning social media for children under 16.

sweden social media ban for children

Mitsotakis warned that societies are conducting the ‘largest uncontrolled experiment on children’s minds’ by allowing unrestricted access to social media platforms. He cautioned that while the long-term effects of the experiment remain uncertain, they are unlikely to be positive.

Additionally, the prime minister pointed to domestic initiatives already underway, such as the ban on mobile phones in schools, which he claimed has already transformed the educational experience.

Mitsotakis acknowledged the difficulties of enforcing such regulations but insisted that complexity cannot be an excuse for inaction.

Across the whole world, similar conversations are gaining traction. Let’s review some of them.

National initiatives across the globe

UK

The UK introduced its Online Safety Act in 2023, one of the most comprehensive frameworks for regulating online platforms. Under the law, companies must assess risks to children and demonstrate how they mitigate harms.

Age assurance is required for certain services, including those hosting pornography or content promoting suicide or self-harm. While not an outright ban, the framework places a heavy responsibility on platforms to restrict harmful material and tailor their products to younger users.

EU

The EU has not introduced a specific social media ban, but its Digital Services Act requires major platforms to conduct systemic risk assessments, including risks to minors.

However, the European Commission has signalled that it may support stricter measures on youth access to social media, keeping the option of a bloc-wide ban under review.

Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has recently endorsed the idea of a ‘digital majority age’ and pledged to gather experts by year’s end to consider possible actions.

The Commission has pointed to the Digital Services Act as a strong baseline but argued that evolving risks demand continued vigilance.

EU

Companies must show regulators how algorithms affect young people and must offer transparency about their moderation practices.

In parallel, several EU states are piloting age verification measures for access to certain platforms. France, for example, has debated requiring parental consent for children under 15 to use social media.

USA

The USA lacks a single nationwide law, but several states are acting independently, although there are some issues with the Supreme Court and the First Amendment.

Florida, Texas, Utah, and Arkansas have passed laws requiring parental consent for minors to access social media, while others are considering restrictions.

The federal government has debated child online safety legislation, although political divides have slowed progress. Instead of a ban, American initiatives often blend parental rights, consumer protection, and platform accountability.

Canada

The Canadian government has introduced Bill C-63, the Online Harms Act, aiming to strengthen online child protection and limit the spread of harmful content.

Justice Minister Arif Virani said the legislation would ensure platforms take greater responsibility for reducing risks and preventing the amplification of content that incites hate, violence, or self-harm.

The framework would apply to platforms, including livestreaming and adult content services.

canada flag is depicted on the screen with the program code 1

They would be obliged to remove material that sexually exploits children or shares intimate content without consent, while also adopting safety measures to limit exposure to harmful content such as bullying, terrorism, and extremist propaganda.

However, the legislation also does not impose a complete social media ban for minors.

China

China’s cyberspace regulator has proposed restrictions on children’s smartphone use. The draft rules limit use to a maximum of two hours daily for those under 18, with stricter limits for younger age groups.

The Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) said devices should include ‘minor mode’ programmes, blocking internet access for children between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.

Teenagers aged 16 to 18 would be allowed two hours a day, those between eight and 16 just one hour, and those under eight years old only eight minutes.

It is important to add that parents could opt out of the restrictions if they wish.

India

In January, India proposed new rules to tighten controls on children’s access to social media, sparking a debate over parental empowerment and privacy risks.

The draft rules required parental consent before minors can create accounts on social media, e-commerce, or gaming platforms.

Verification would rely on identity documents or age data already held by providers.

Supporters argue the measures will give parents greater oversight and protect children from risks such as cyberbullying, harmful content, and online exploitation.

Singapore

PM Lawrence Wong has warned of the risks of excessive screen time while stressing that children must also be empowered to use technology responsibly. The ultimate goal is the right balance between safety and digital literacy.

In addition, researchers suggest schools should not ban devices out of fear but teach children how to manage them, likening digital literacy to learning how to swim safely. Such a strategy highlights that no single solution fits all societies.

Balancing rights and risks

Bans and restrictions raise fundamental rights issues. Children have the right to access information, to express themselves, and to participate in culture and society.

Overly strict bans can exclude them from opportunities that their peers elsewhere enjoy. Critics argue that bans may create inequalities between children whose families find workarounds and those who comply.

social media ban for under 16s

At the same time, the rights to health, safety and privacy must also be protected. The difficulty lies in striking a balance. Advocates of stronger regulation argue that platforms have failed to self-regulate effectively, and that states must step in.

Opponents argue that bans may create unintended harms and encourage authoritarian tendencies, with governments using child safety as a pretext for broader control of online spaces.

Instead of choosing one path, some propose hybrid approaches: stronger rules for design and data collection, combined with investment in education and digital resilience. Such approaches aim to prepare children to navigate online risks while making platforms less exploitative.

The future of social media and child protection

Looking forward, the global landscape is unlikely to converge on a single model. Some countries will favour bans and strict controls, others will emphasise parental empowerment, and still others will prioritise platform accountability.

What is clear is that the status quo is no longer acceptable to policymakers or to many parents.

Technological solutions will also evolve. Advances in privacy-preserving age verification may ease some concerns, although sceptics warn that surveillance risks will remain. At the same time, platforms may voluntarily redesign products for younger audiences, either to comply with regulations or to preserve trust.

Ultimately, the challenge is not whether to regulate, but how. Instead of focusing solely on prohibition, governments and societies may need to build layered protections: legal safeguards, technological checks, educational investments and cultural change.

If these can align, children may inherit a safer digital world that still allows them to learn, connect and create. If they cannot, the risks of exclusion or exploitation will remain unresolved.

black woman hands and phone for city map location gps or social media internet search in new york

In conclusion, the debate over banning or restricting social media for children reflects broader tensions between freedom, safety, privacy, and responsibility. Around the globe, governments are experimenting with different balances of control and empowerment.

Australia, as we have already shown, represents one of the boldest approaches, while others, from the UK and Greece to China and Singapore, are testing different variations.

What unites them is the recognition that children cannot simply be left alone in a digital ecosystem designed for profit rather than protection.

The next decade will determine whether societies can craft a sustainable balance, where technology serves the needs of the young instead of exploiting them.

In the end, it is our duty as human beings and responsible citizens.

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Denmark moves to ban social media for under-15s amid child safety concerns

Joining the broader trend, Denmark plans to ban children under 15 from using social media as Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen announced during her address to parliament on Tuesday.

Describing platforms as having ‘stolen our children’s childhood’, she said the government must act to protect young people from the growing harms of digital dependency.

Frederiksen urged lawmakers to ‘tighten the law’ to ensure greater child safety online, adding that parents could still grant consent for children aged 13 and above to have social media accounts.

Although the proposal is not yet part of the government’s legislative agenda, it builds on a 2024 citizen initiative that called for banning platforms such as TikTok, Snapchat and Instagram.

The prime minister’s comments reflect Denmark’s broader push within the EU to require age verification systems for online platforms.

Her statement follows a broader debate across Europe over children’s digital well-being and the responsibilities of tech companies in verifying user age and safeguarding minors.

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Thousands affected by AI-linked data breach in New South Wales

A major data breach has affected the Northern Rivers Resilient Homes Program in New South Wales.

Authorities confirmed that personal information was exposed after a former contractor uploaded data to the AI platform ChatGPT between 12 and 15 March 2025.

The leaked file contained over 12,000 records, with details including names, addresses, contact information and health data. Up to 3,000 individuals may be impacted.

While there is no evidence yet that the information has been accessed by third parties, the NSW Reconstruction Authority (RA) and Cyber Security NSW have launched a forensic investigation.

Officials apologised for the breach and pledged to notify all affected individuals in the coming week. ID Support NSW is offering free advice and resources, while compensation will be provided for any costs linked to replacing compromised identity documents.

The RA has also strengthened its internal policies to prevent unauthorised use of AI platforms. An independent review of the incident is underway to determine how the breach occurred and why notification took several months.

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FRA presents rights framework at EU Innovation Hub AI Cluster workshop in Tallinn

The EU Innovation Hub for Internal Security’s AI Cluster gathered in Tallinn on 25–26 September for a workshop focused on AI and its implications for security and rights.

The European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) played a central role, presenting its Fundamental Rights Impact Assessment framework under the AI Act and highlighting its ongoing project on assessing high-risk AI.

A workshop that also provided an opportunity for FRA to give an update on its internal and external work in the AI field, reflecting the growing need to balance technological innovation with rights-based safeguards.

AI-driven systems in security and policing are increasingly under scrutiny, with regulators and agencies seeking to ensure compliance with EU rules on privacy, transparency and accountability.

In collaboration with Europol, FRA also introduced plans for a panel discussion on ‘The right to explanation of AI-driven individual decision-making’. Scheduled for 19 November in Brussels, the session will form part of the Annual Event of the EU Innovation Hub for Internal Security.

It is expected to draw policymakers, law enforcement representatives and rights advocates into dialogue about transparency obligations in AI use for security contexts.

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Cybercriminals abandon Kido extortion attempt amid public backlash

Hackers who stole data and images of children from Kido Schools have removed the material from the darknet and claimed to delete it. The group, calling itself Radiant, had demanded a £600,000 Bitcoin ransom, but Kido did not pay.

Radiant initially blurred the photos but kept the data online before later removing all content and issuing an apology. Experts remain sceptical, warning that cybercriminals often claim to delete stolen data while secretly keeping or selling it.

The breach exposed details of around 8,000 children and their families, sparking widespread outrage. Cybersecurity experts described the extortion attempt as a ‘new low’ for hackers and said Radiant likely backtracked due to public pressure.

Radiant said it accessed Kido’s systems by buying entry from an ‘initial access broker’ and then stealing data from accounts linked to Famly, an early years education platform. The Famly told the BBC its infrastructure was not compromised.

Kido confirmed the incident and stated that they are working with external specialists and authorities. With no ransom paid and Radiant abandoning its attempt, the hackers appear to have lost money on the operation.

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Calls for regulation grow as OpenAI and Meta adjust chatbots for teen mental health

OpenAI and Meta are adjusting how their chatbots handle conversations with teenagers showing signs of distress or asking about suicide. OpenAI plans to launch new parental controls this fall, enabling parents to link accounts, restrict features, and receive alerts if their child appears to be in acute distress.

The company says its chatbots will also route sensitive conversations to more capable models, aiming to improve responses to vulnerable users. The announcement follows a lawsuit alleging that ChatGPT encouraged a California teenager to take his own life earlier this year.

Meta, the parent company of Instagram and Facebook, is also tightening its restrictions. Its chatbots will no longer engage teens on self-harm, suicide, eating disorders, or inappropriate topics, instead redirecting them towards expert resources. Meta already offers parental controls across teen accounts.

The moves come amid growing scrutiny of chatbot safety. A RAND Corporation study found inconsistent responses from ChatGPT, Google’s Gemini, and Anthropic’s Claude when asked about suicide, suggesting the tools require further refinement before being relied upon in high-risk situations.

Lead author Ryan McBain welcomed the updates but called them only incremental. Without safety benchmarks and enforceable standards, he argued, companies remain self-regulating in an area where risks to teenagers are uniquely high.

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