The chief executive of Pinterest has voiced support for governments banning access to social media for people under 16. He cited rising concerns about mental health, screen addiction and online harms among young users.
He praised the Australian decision to ban social media for under-16s and urged other nations to adopt similar protections. He argued that existing tech safety measures have fallen short of keeping children secure online.
The executive warned that AI enhancements in social platforms may amplify behavioural influence on teens. He compared the inaction by tech companies to past resistance by harmful industries to public health safeguards.
He also highlighted surveys showing parental worries about explicit content and excessive screen time. Pinterest’s view supports calls for clear age limits, better tools for parents and stronger platform accountability.
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In the UK, the St Helens Council has added AI and digital disruption to its strategic risk register as it seeks to strengthen governance and oversight. The change reflects growing concern about how emerging technologies could affect operations and services.
The updated register, now featuring 12 strategic risks, was presented ahead of the audit and governance committee meeting. UK officials said effective risk management is vital to meeting the council’s objectives and mitigating potential challenges.
AI and digital disruption were cited for the first time alongside risks linked to extreme weather and community cohesion. The council noted that ethical, data privacy and workforce confidence issues are among the challenges associated with integrating AI into public services.
Leaders said other risks, including cybersecurity threats and budget pressures, remain under review. The move comes as local authorities across the UK weigh the impacts of new technologies on service delivery and strategic planning.
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The Scottish government has launched a dedicated national agency to drive AI strategy and support local tech companies. Leaders say this effort could help boost the economy and establish the nation as a hub for AI development.
Scotland’s strategy highlights existing tech firms and data projects, including plans for major computing campuses and partnerships with global technology companies. Several research institutions and supercomputing initiatives are contributing to innovation.
Healthcare is a focus for AI adoption, with studies showing that AI tools could improve cancer detection, speed up diagnoses, and reduce workload. Academic projects also aim to develop tools to detect early signs of dementia.
Scottish government officials have acknowledged ethical, workforce and environmental concerns around AI deployment. They say policies will include responsible use, job planning and efforts to maximise renewable energy in support of data infrastructure.
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French prosecutors have escalated concerns about deepfakes linked to Elon Musk’s platform X, alerting US authorities to suspicions that manipulated content may have been used to influence the company’s valuation.
According to the Paris prosecutor’s office, the controversy surrounding sexually explicit deepfakes generated by Grok, X’s AI tool, may have been deliberately amplified to artificially boost the value of X and its associated AI entity ahead of a planned stock market listing in June 2026.
Authorities in France confirmed they had contacted the US Department of Justice and legal representatives at the Securities and Exchange Commission to share findings related to the deepfakes investigation and potential financial implications.
The case builds on an ongoing French probe into X, which initially focused on alleged algorithmic interference in domestic politics. Investigations have since expanded to include the spread of Holocaust denial content and the dissemination of sexualised deepfakes through Grok.
French regulators have taken additional steps, including summoning Musk for a voluntary interview and conducting searches at X’s local offices, actions he has described as politically motivated. Parallel investigations have also been launched in the UK and across the European Union into the use of AI tools to generate harmful deepfakes involving women and minors.
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A proposal to restrict minors’ online activity is gaining momentum in Ecuador, where lawmakers are considering a social media ban for children under 15 as part of a broader response to rising organised crime.
Under discussion in the National Assembly, the initiative introduced by Assembly member Katherine Pacheco Machuca would amend the Code of Childhood and Adolescence to block access to platforms enabling public interaction, content sharing, and messaging. The proposal defines social networks broadly, covering services that allow users to create accounts, connect with others, and exchange content.
Unlike similar debates elsewhere, the justification for the social media ban is rooted less in mental health or privacy concerns and more in security. Ecuador has experienced a sharp deterioration in public safety, with rising homicide rates, expanding criminal networks, and increasing pressure on state institutions.
Recent findings from Ecuador’s Organised Crime Observatory indicate that around 27% of minors approached by criminal groups report initial contact through social media platforms. Surveys conducted by ChildFund Ecuador further suggest that vulnerable adolescents are increasingly exposed to recruitment tactics that combine economic incentives with normalised portrayals of violence.
In that context, the proposed social media ban is framed as a preventative measure against criminal recruitment rather than solely a child protection tool. The initiative forms part of a wider regulatory shift, including new cybersecurity legislation and draft laws targeting recruitment practices conducted through digital channels.
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The Trump Administration unveiled a national AI framework to boost competitiveness, security, and benefits for Americans. The plan seeks to ensure that AI innovation supports all citizens while maintaining public trust in the technology.
Six key objectives form the foundation of the policy. These include protecting children online, empowering parents with tools to manage digital safety, strengthening communities and small businesses, respecting intellectual property, defending free speech, and fostering innovation.
The framework also prioritises workforce development to prepare Americans for AI-driven job opportunities.
Federal uniformity is considered critical to the plan’s success. The Administration warns that a patchwork of state regulations could stifle innovation and reduce the United States’ ability to lead globally.
Congress is encouraged to collaborate closely to implement the framework nationwide.
The Administration emphasises that the United States must lead the AI race, ensuring the benefits of AI reach all Americans while addressing challenges such as privacy, security, and equitable access to opportunities.
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Elon Musk unveiled his ambitious Terafab project in Austin, describing it as the ‘most epic chip-building exercise in history.’ The initiative, led by Tesla, xAI, and SpaceX, aims to produce 1 trillion watts of compute power annually, much of it intended for space applications.
The project will start with a state-of-the-art semiconductor manufacturing facility in Austin, supporting AI development, humanoid robotics, and space data centres. Musk highlighted current supply chain limitations, stating that building Terafab is essential to secure the chips his companies need.
Musk also shared his vision for a future shaped by ‘amazing abundance.’ Plans include launching satellites from the lunar surface and enabling civilian space travel to destinations such as Saturn, blending cutting-edge technology with long-term space ambitions.
Terafab represents a bold attempt to merge AI, robotics, and space exploration, positioning Musk’s companies at the forefront of next-generation technology and extraterrestrial innovation.
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The World Happiness Report 2026 has identified a growing decline in well-being among young people, with increased social media use emerging as a key contributing factor. These findings suggest that digital habits are increasingly shaping life satisfaction, particularly across Western societies.
The report notes that younger age groups now report significantly lower happiness levels compared to previous decades.
In regions such as North America and Western Europe, the decline coincides with a sharp rise in time spent on social media platforms. Researchers highlight that heavy usage is associated with measurable reductions in well-being, especially among younger users.
Alongside these trends, the report continues to rank Finland as the happiest country globally, reflecting broader stability in Nordic nations. However, such stability contrasts with emerging concerns about mental health and social outcomes in more industrialised regions, where digital environments are playing an increasingly influential role.
While the report identifies risks including cyberbullying, depression and online exploitation, it does not advocate for complete restrictions. Instead, it emphasises the need for carefully designed regulatory approaches that balance protection with the potential benefits of digital connectivity.
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AI-generated deepfake abuse is emerging as a serious global threat, with women and girls disproportionately affected by non-consensual and harmful digital content. Advances in AI make it easy to create manipulated content that can spread across platforms within minutes and reach millions.
Data highlights the scale of the issue. The vast majority of deepfake content online consists of explicit material, overwhelmingly targeting women.
Accessible and often free tools have lowered the barrier to entry, enabling widespread misuse. At the same time, the ability to endlessly replicate and share such content makes removal nearly impossible once it is published.
Legal responses remain fragmented, with many pre-existing laws leaving gaps in addressing AI-generated deepfake abuse. Enforcement issues, such as cross-border challenges and limited digital forensics capabilities, make it unlikely that perpetrators will face consequences.
Pressure is mounting on governments and technology platforms to act. Calls for reform include clearer legislation, faster obligations to remove content, improved law enforcement capabilities, and stronger support systems for victims.
Without coordinated global action, deepfake abuse is set to expand alongside the technologies enabling it.
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Inspired Education has unveiled a new AI-enabled primary teaching model designed to modernise traditional learning systems. The programme aims to better align education with how children learn in a digital and fast-changing environment.
The model combines core academic subjects in the morning with applied learning in the afternoon. Students focus on life skills such as problem-solving, entrepreneurship and communication alongside standard curriculum content.
Learning is structured around mastery rather than age, allowing children to progress at their own pace. AI-powered tools are used to personalise lessons and support faster and more adaptive learning outcomes.
Developers say the approach responds to growing demand from parents for AI-integrated education. The initiative reflects broader efforts to prepare students with digital, practical and future-ready skills.
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