Children’s rights

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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EU gains stronger ad oversight after TikTok agreement

Regulators in the EU have accepted binding commitments from TikTok aimed at improving advertising transparency under the Digital Services Act.

An agreement that follows months of scrutiny and addresses concerns raised in the Commission’s preliminary findings earlier in the year.

TikTok will now provide complete versions of advertisements exactly as they appear in user feeds, along with associated URLs, targeting criteria and aggregated demographic data.

Researchers will gain clearer insight into how advertisers reach users, rather than relying on partial or delayed information. The platform has also agreed to refresh its advertising repository within 24 hours.

Further improvements include new search functions and filters that make it easier for the public, civil society and regulators to examine advertising content.

These changes are intended to support efforts to detect scams, identify harmful products and analyse coordinated influence operations, especially around elections.

TikTok must implement its commitments to the EU within deadlines ranging from two to twelve months, depending on each measure.

The Commission will closely monitor compliance while continuing broader investigations into algorithmic design, protection of minors, data access and risks connected to elections and civic discourse.

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Australia introduces new codes to protect children online

Australian regulators have released new guidance ahead of the introduction of industry codes designed to protect children from exposure to harmful online material.

The Age Restricted Material Codes will apply to a wide range of online services, including app stores, social platforms, equipment providers, pornography sites and generative AI services, with the first tranche beginning on 27 December.

The rules require search engines to blur image results involving pornography or extreme violence to reduce accidental exposure among young users.

Search services must also redirect people seeking information related to suicide, self-harm or eating disorders to professional mental health support instead of allowing harmful spirals to unfold.

eSafety argues that many children unintentionally encounter disturbing material at very young ages, often through search results that act as gateways rather than deliberate choices.

The guidance emphasises that adults will still be able to access unblurred material by clicking through, and there is no requirement for Australians to log in or identify themselves before searching.

eSafety maintains that the priority lies in shielding children from images and videos they cannot cognitively process or forget once they have seen them.

These codes will operate alongside existing standards that tackle unlawful content and will complement new minimum age requirements for social media, which are set to begin in mid-December.

Authorities in Australia consider the reforms essential for reducing preventable harm and guiding vulnerable users towards appropriate support services.

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Pope urges guidance for youth in an AI-shaped world

Pope Leo XIV urged global institutions to guide younger generations as they navigate the expanding influence of AI. He warned that rapid access to information cannot replace the deeper search for meaning and purpose.

Previously, the Pope had warned students not to rely solely on AI for educational support. He encouraged educators and leaders to help young people develop discernment and confidence when encountering digital systems.

Additionally, he called for coordinated action across politics, business, academia and faith communities to steer technological progress toward the common good. He argued that AI development should not be treated as an inevitable pathway shaped by narrow interests.

He noted that AI reshapes human relationships and cognition, raising concerns about its effects on freedom, creativity and contemplation. He insisted that safeguarding human dignity is essential to managing AI’s wide-ranging consequences.

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Porn site fined £1m for ignoring UK child safety age checks

A UK pornographic website has been fined £1m by Ofcom for failing to comply with mandatory age verification under the Online Safety Act. The company, AVS Group Ltd, did not respond to repeated contact from the regulator, prompting an additional £50,000 penalty.

The Act requires websites hosting adult content to implement ‘highly effective age assurance’ to prevent children from accessing explicit material. Ofcom has ordered the company to comply within 72 hours or face further daily fines.

Other tech platforms are also under scrutiny, with one unnamed major social media company undergoing compliance checks. Regulators warn that non-compliance will result in formal action, highlighting the growing enforcement of child safety online.

Critics argue the law must be tougher to ensure real protection, particularly for minors and women online. While age checks have reduced UK traffic to some sites, loopholes like VPNs remain a concern, and regulators are pushing for stricter adherence.

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Meta begins removing underage users in Australia

Meta has begun removing Australian users under 16 from Facebook, Instagram and Threads ahead of a national ban taking effect on 10 December. Canberra requires major platforms to block younger users or face substantial financial penalties.

Meta says it is deleting accounts it reasonably believes belong to underage teenagers while allowing them to download their data. Authorities expect hundreds of thousands of adolescents to be affected, given Instagram’s large cohort of 13 to 15 year olds.

Regulators argue the law addresses harmful recommendation systems and exploitative content, though YouTube has warned that safety filters will weaken for unregistered viewers. The Australian communications minister has insisted platforms must strengthen their own protections.

Rights groups have challenged the law in court, claiming unjust limits on expression. Officials concede teenagers may try using fake identification or AI-altered images, yet still expect platforms to deploy strong countermeasures.

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Uzbekistan sets principles for responsible AI

A new ethical framework for the development and use of AI technologies has been adopted by Uzbekistan.

The rules, prepared by the Ministry of Digital Technologies, establish unified standards for developers, implementing organisations and users of AI systems, ensuring AI respects human rights, privacy and societal trust.

A framework that is part of presidential decrees and resolutions aimed at advancing AI innovation across the country. It also emphasises legality, transparency, fairness, accountability, and continuous human oversight.

AI systems must avoid discrimination based on gender, nationality, religion, language or social origin.

Developers are required to ensure algorithmic clarity, assess risks and bias in advance, and prevent AI from causing harm to individuals, society, the state or the environment.

Users of AI systems must comply with legislation, safeguard personal data, and operate technologies responsibly. Any harm caused during AI development or deployment carries legal liability.

The Ministry of Digital Technologies will oversee standards, address ethical concerns, foster industry cooperation, and improve digital literacy across Uzbekistan.

An initiative that aligns with broader efforts to prepare Uzbekistan for AI adoption in healthcare, education, transport, space, and other sectors.

By establishing clear ethical principles, the country aims to strengthen trust in AI applications and ensure responsible and secure use nationwide.

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Meta expands global push against online scam networks

The US tech giant, Meta, outlined an expanded strategy to limit online fraud by combining technical defences with stronger collaboration across industry and law enforcement.

The company described scams as a threat to user safety and as a direct risk to the credibility of its advertising ecosystem, which remains central to its business model.

Executives emphasised that large criminal networks continue to evolve and that a faster, coordinated response is essential instead of fragmented efforts.

Meta presented recent progress, noting that more than 134 million scam advertisements were removed in 2025 and that reports about misleading advertising fell significantly in the last fifteen months.

It also provided details about disrupted criminal networks that operated across Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp.

Facial recognition tools played a crucial role in detecting scam content that utilised images of public figures, resulting in an increased volume of removals during testing, rather than allowing wider circulation.

Cooperation with law enforcement remains central to Meta’s approach. The company supported investigations that targeted criminal centres in Myanmar and illegal online gambling operations connected to transfers through anonymous accounts.

Information shared with financial institutions and partners in the Global Signal Exchange contributed to the removal of thousands of accounts. At the same time, legal action continued against those who used impersonation or bulk messaging to deceive users.

Meta stated that it backs bipartisan legislation designed to support a national response to online fraud. The company argued that new laws are necessary to weaken transnational groups behind large-scale scam operations and to protect users more effectively.

A broader aim is to strengthen trust across Meta’s services, rather than allowing criminal activity to undermine user confidence and advertiser investment.

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