In the race to make social media safer, the UK is lagging dangerously behind
1 month, 3 weeks ago

In the race to make social media safer, the UK is lagging dangerously behind

The Independent  

When the last government tasked the communications watchdog Ofcom with cleaning up social media, it seemed an odd choice. Extra rules for the largest social media platforms have been delayed, with a consultation on those rules now promised by “early 2026” – meaning that, on current form, those rules won’t kick in until 2027. Last summer, as inflammatory falsehoods on social media fuelled far-right riots around the UK, Ofcom was reduced to the limp gesture of writing an “open letter” to social media platforms, pleading with them that although the Online Safety Act still wasn’t in force, “there is no need to wait to make your sites and apps safer”. A requirement for social media platforms to take down illegal content such as child abuse images now comes with the proviso that this must be carried out “if technically feasible”. The Internet Watch Foundation, a charity dedicated to removing child abuse images online, says Ofcom’s rules offer platforms a “blatant get-out clause”.

Social Media Social Online Ofcom Social Media Platforms Regulator Online Safety Child Abuse Images Media Safer  social  dangerously  safety  media  safer  uk  having  lagging  ofcom  platforms  online  race  rules  regulator

History of this topic

‘Inventive’ teenagers could circumvent a social media ban, MP warns
1 month ago

‘Inventive’ teenagers could circumvent a social media ban, MP warns

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “Children do deserve more – they deserve more responsibility from social media companies, more urgency …

Children's lives are being put at risk by social media 'cancer', anti-terror chief warns - as he calls on UK to follow Australia with ban for under-16s
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Children's lives are being put at risk by social media 'cancer', anti-terror chief warns - as he calls on UK to follow Australia with ban for under-16s

Daily Mail  

Britain's head of counterterrorism has called for a ban on children using social media, describing the tech as a 'cancer' on young people's lives. Matt Jukes has called on Britain to follow Australia's lead, after the nation down under passed the world-first ban on social media use by under-16s last year. Going into detail about the suggested ban, Mr Jukes …

Bill to regulate social media raises risk of free speech and free press being casualty in Nepal
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Bill to regulate social media raises risk of free speech and free press being casualty in Nepal

The Hindu  

The K. P. Sharma Oli government’s move to enact new laws in Nepal to regulate social media has met with fierce criticism, with free speech advocates warning of serious implications for freedom of expression in the country. Communications and Information Technology Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung registered the “Bill Related to Operation, Use, and Regulation of Social Media in Nepal” in …

UK's Online Safety laws ‘not up for negotiation’, says UK PM Starmer's cabinet to Big Tech
2 months, 1 week ago

UK's Online Safety laws ‘not up for negotiation’, says UK PM Starmer's cabinet to Big Tech

Firstpost  

UK’s Online Safety Act, passed last year, requires social media platforms to remove illegal content, enforce content moderation, and give users tools to filter harmful material. While not explicitly naming the UK, Zuckerberg criticised Europe for its growing legal frameworks The UK government has made it clear that its online safety laws, designed to protect children and vulnerable individuals, are …

Australian-style social media ban for under-16s is unlikely, says technology secretary
2 months, 3 weeks ago

Australian-style social media ban for under-16s is unlikely, says technology secretary

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy An Australian-style social media ban for under-16s is highly unlikely, the …

How UK watchdog plans to 'drive out' children from social media sites
3 months ago

How UK watchdog plans to 'drive out' children from social media sites

Hindustan Times  

Social media companies in the UK will be implementing the use of facial recognition age checks to “drive out” under-age children from their sites. John Higham, the online regulator’s head of online safety policy, said platforms would be expected to remove potentially millions of children from their sites by using “highly accurate and effective” age checks. According to estimates by …

Australia’s social media ban won’t protect kids – it’ll put them more at risk
3 months ago

Australia’s social media ban won’t protect kids – it’ll put them more at risk

The Independent  

It’s hard to know what to gift teenagers at Christmas. Beyond the ongoing debate over TikTok’s future in the US, Australia has recently made the decision to ban children under 16 from social media – a policy which the government will enforce via untested age verification technology. The AV technology to be used on social media platforms in Australia is …

Britain sets first codes of practice for tech firms in online safety regime
3 months, 1 week ago

Britain sets first codes of practice for tech firms in online safety regime

The Hindu  

Britain's online safety regime came into force on Monday, requiring social media companies like Meta's Facebook and ByteDance's TikTok to take action to tackle criminal activity on their platforms and make them safer by design. Media regulator Ofcom said it had published its first codes of practice on tackling illegal harms such as child sexual abuse and assisting or encouraging …

Australia’s move to keep kids off social media is worthy of emulation
3 months, 3 weeks ago

Australia’s move to keep kids off social media is worthy of emulation

Live Mint  

Australia’s barring of children under 16 from accessing social media is a giant leap forward for humankind in its effort to police tech companies. In Haidt’s telling, the reason exposure to social media of teens and preteens needs policing is straightforward: “While the reward-seeking parts of the brain mature earlier, the frontal vortex—essential for self-control, delay of gratification, and resistance …

Australia is banning social media for people under 16. Could this work elsewhere — or even there?
3 months, 3 weeks ago

Australia is banning social media for people under 16. Could this work elsewhere — or even there?

Associated Press  

It is an ambitious social experiment of our moment in history — one that experts say could accomplish something that parents, schools and other governments have attempted with varying degrees of success: keeping kids off social media until they turn 16. “It’s clear that social media companies have to be held accountable, which is what Australia is trying to do,” …

Australia's social media ban for under-16s sparks debate
3 months, 3 weeks ago

Australia's social media ban for under-16s sparks debate

China Daily  

By Barry He in London | China Daily Global | Updated: 2024-12-02 11:18 A schoolboy looks at his phone in Melbourne on Nov 27, 2024 as Australia looks to ban children under 16 from social media. While many agree that social media can be harmful to the development of young people, a legally enforceable ban leaves many unsure of the …

JUST SPAMMING | Can social media be kept out of the child's reach?
3 months, 3 weeks ago

JUST SPAMMING | Can social media be kept out of the child's reach?

Deccan Chronicle  

The latest news from down under is rather baffling. The Online Safety Amendment Act 2024 passed by the Australian Senate last week seeks to ban children below the age of 16 from using social media apps like TikTok, Facebook, Reddit, Snapchat, Instagram and X. Because in the Indian context, 70 per cent of the children access social media from their …

Social media ban: How will it work and could it happen elsewhere?
3 months, 3 weeks ago

Social media ban: How will it work and could it happen elsewhere?

The Independent  

Sign up to our free weekly IndyTech newsletter delivered straight to your inbox Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The ruling was passed by the country’s parliament this week and described by prime minister Anthony Albanese …

How will social media ban be implemented?
3 months, 3 weeks ago

How will social media ban be implemented?

ABC  

Rachel Mealey: Well after a busy week in Canberra, the nation's federal politicians are returning to their electorates for the summer break ahead of next year's looming election. Among them was the government's headline-making social media ban for under 16s. Now that the social media ban bill has passed, the social media platforms have 12 months to work out how …

Australia, France and more: How countries are trying to regulate social media for children
3 months, 3 weeks ago

Australia, France and more: How countries are trying to regulate social media for children

Firstpost  

Australia has approved a social media ban for children aged under 16 after an emotive debate gripped the nation. From France to China, several other countries have tried to clean up social media through policies like strict privacy laws and prohibitions for minors Two school students pose with their mobile showing social media applications in Melbourne, Australia. Similar to Australia, …

Australian Parliament bans social media for under-16s with world-first law
3 months, 3 weeks ago

Australian Parliament bans social media for under-16s with world-first law

Deccan Chronicle  

Melbourne: A social media ban for children under 16 passed the Australian Parliament on Friday in a world-first law. “The social media ban legislation has been released and passed within a week and, as a result, no one can confidently explain how it will work in practice – the community and platforms are in the dark about what exactly is …

Australia imposes world's-first ban on social media for children below 16 years
Top News
3 months, 3 weeks ago

Australia imposes world's-first ban on social media for children below 16 years

India Today  

In a landmark decision, Australia has passed a law that effectively bans social media usage for children under the age of 16, making it the first country to implement such sweeping regulations. The new law, which was passed in Parliament earlier this week, requires social media platforms to enforce stricter age verification measures, ensuring that children below 16 are unable …

Australia Bans Social Media for Anyone Under 16
3 months, 3 weeks ago

Australia Bans Social Media for Anyone Under 16

Bloomberg  

00:00 PETER JOINS US NOW, YOU HEAD UP OUR TEAM IN ASIA AND ACROSS THE WORLD OF TECHNOLOGY. PETER: WE HAVE SEEN GOVERNMENTS AROUND THE REAL STRUGGLE WITH THIS QUESTION, HOW MUCH ACCESS SHOULD MINORS HAVE TO SOCIAL MEDIA AND OTHER KINDS OF TECHNOLOGIES. CHINA, BECAUSE THEY HAVE MORE CENTRALIZED CONTROL OVER THESE THINGS, LIMITED HOW MUCH TIME KIDS COULD …

Australia PM on social media ban: Firms now have responsibility to protect kids
3 months, 3 weeks ago

Australia PM on social media ban: Firms now have responsibility to protect kids

India Today  

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Friday that social media platforms now have a responsibility to ensure the safety of children, after the country's parliament passed a bill banning those under the age of 16 from using the services. Australia approved the social media ban for children on Thursday after an emotive debate that has gripped the nation, setting …

Australia lawmakers pass landmark social-media ban for under-16s
3 months, 3 weeks ago

Australia lawmakers pass landmark social-media ban for under-16s

Live Mint  

Australia is set to become the first country to ban social media use by under-16s after the country’s Senate overwhelmingly voted in favor of strict new legislation. “Social media is doing harm to our children and I’m calling time on it," Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said when the bill was introduced to Parliament earlier this month. The legislation marks …

Australia Passes World-First Law Banning Children Under 16 From Social Media
3 months, 3 weeks ago

Australia Passes World-First Law Banning Children Under 16 From Social Media

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING MELBOURNE, Australia — A social media ban for children under 16 passed the Australian Parliament on Friday in a world-first law. “The social media ban legislation has been released and passed within a week and, as a result, no one can confidently explain how it will work in practice – the community and platforms are in the …

Tech companies put on notice as Australia passes world-first social media ban for under-16s
3 months, 3 weeks ago

Tech companies put on notice as Australia passes world-first social media ban for under-16s

CNN  

Brisbane, Australia CNN — Australia’s parliament has passed a world-first law banning social media for children under 16, putting tech companies on notice to tighten security before a cut-off date that’s yet to be set. Under the new law, tech companies must take “reasonable steps” to prevent under-age users from accessing social media services or face fines of nearly 50 …

Tech companies put on notice as Australia passes world-first social media ban for under-16s
3 months, 3 weeks ago

Tech companies put on notice as Australia passes world-first social media ban for under-16s

CNN  

Brisbane, Australia CNN — Australia’s parliament has passed a world-first law banning social media for children under 16, putting tech companies on notice to tighten security before a cut-off date that’s yet to be set. Under the new law, tech companies must take “reasonable steps” to prevent under-age users from accessing social media services or face fines of nearly 50 …

Ashwini Vaishnaw urges stronger regulations for social media, OTT content
3 months, 3 weeks ago

Ashwini Vaishnaw urges stronger regulations for social media, OTT content

Live Mint  

Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Wednesday said that there is a need to strengthen existing regulations to curb vulgar content on social media and over-the-top platforms, and called for a consensus on the same. Acknowledging the distinct cultural differences between India and the geographies where these platforms originated, Vaishnaw pointed out that India's cultural sensitivities differ greatly from those of …

Australia nears social media ban for children after heated debate
3 months, 3 weeks ago

Australia nears social media ban for children after heated debate

Deccan Chronicle  

Sydney: Australia moved closer on Wednesday to banning social media for children under 16 after the parliament's lower house passed a bill even as Alphabet's Google and Facebook-owner Meta pressed the government to delay the legislation. Marking some of the toughest social media controls in the world, Australia's House of Representatives passed the bill 102 votes to 13 after Prime …

Parliamentary proceedings: Need for strengthening laws governing social media and OTT platforms: Ashwini Vaishnaw
3 months, 3 weeks ago

Parliamentary proceedings: Need for strengthening laws governing social media and OTT platforms: Ashwini Vaishnaw

The Hindu  

Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw on Wednesday emphasised the need to strengthen existing laws governing social media and OTT platforms and build a societal consensus on the issue. He said that due to the absence of such editorial oversight, social media had become a platform for freedom of the press, but it has also become a space …

Need to make existing laws more stringent to curb vulgar content on social media: Vaishnaw
3 months, 3 weeks ago

Need to make existing laws more stringent to curb vulgar content on social media: Vaishnaw

Deccan Chronicle  

New Delhi: The government is mulling stringent laws to check vulgar content on social media posts and other platforms like over-the-top or OTT, saying that such platforms are required to appoint grievance officers and set up a mechanism for addressing user complaints. "There is a need to make existing laws more stringent laws to curb vulgar content on social media …

‘Even if law helps in just smallest of ways…’: Australia passes bill to ban young children from social media
Trending News
3 months, 3 weeks ago

‘Even if law helps in just smallest of ways…’: Australia passes bill to ban young children from social media

Live Mint  

Australia's House of Representatives on Wednesday passed a bill that would ban children younger than 16 years old from social media, leaving it to the Senate to finalise the world-first law. Critics also argue the ban would isolate children, deprive them of positive aspects of social media, drive children to the dark web, make children too young for social media …

Need to make existing laws more stringent to curb vulgar content on social media: I&B Minister Vaishnaw
3 months, 3 weeks ago

Need to make existing laws more stringent to curb vulgar content on social media: I&B Minister Vaishnaw

New Indian Express  

NEW DELHI: Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Wednesday said there is a need to make existing laws more stringent to curb vulgar content on social media platforms. Today, social media is a platform for freedom of press but it is uncontrolled and there is vulgar content, the minister said during the Question Hour. There is a need to make existing …

Australia moves step closer to world-first social media ban for under-16s
Top News
3 months, 3 weeks ago

Australia moves step closer to world-first social media ban for under-16s

Al Jazeera  

The House of Representatives votes overwhelmingly to pass legislation targeting platforms such as TikTok and Instagram. Australia’s lower house of parliament has voted overwhelmingly to pass a landmark bill banning the use of social media by children under 16. Opposition lawmaker Dan Tehan said the government had agreed to amendments made in the Senate that would bolster privacy protections for …

Doesn't match our culture: Minister for laws to curb social media vulgar content
3 months, 3 weeks ago

Doesn't match our culture: Minister for laws to curb social media vulgar content

India Today  

Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Wednesday called for laws to curb objectionable content on social media and hoped that the Opposition would have a discussion on the same. The government has urged social media platforms to be more proactive in content moderation, especially when it comes to harmful or illegal content. It said that social media companies …

Australia pushes for social media ban for kids under 16: Here are the rules
3 months, 3 weeks ago

Australia pushes for social media ban for kids under 16: Here are the rules

India Today  

Australia took a major step toward banning social media for children under 16 on Wednesday, with the lower house of Parliament passing a bill aimed at implementing some of the toughest online controls globally. The bill passed with bipartisan support, securing 102 votes to 13, as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's government pushes for swift enactment before the year’s end. Here …

Australia should delay social media ban for children under 16, Big Tech says
4 months ago

Australia should delay social media ban for children under 16, Big Tech says

Associated Press  

MELBOURNE, Australia — An advocate for major social media platforms told an Australian Senate committee Monday that laws to ban children younger than 16 from the sites should be delayed until next year at least instead of being rushed through the Parliament this week. Communications Minister Michelle Rowland said she looked forward to reading the Senate committee’s assessment of the …

The two reasons Kyle Sandilands has suddenly turned on Anthony Albanese - as he erupts in scathing spray: 'Absolutely useless'
4 months ago

The two reasons Kyle Sandilands has suddenly turned on Anthony Albanese - as he erupts in scathing spray: 'Absolutely useless'

Daily Mail  

Tells prime minister: You must force social media giants to 'weed out evil' EXCLUSIVE Kyle Sandilands has blasted Anthony Albanese over his divisive new social media restrictions, insisting it's not the PM's job to tell parents how to raise their children. Radio titan Kyle Sandilands has warned Anthony Albanese that it's not his job to tell parents how to raise …

Is social media doing more harm than good to democracy?
4 months ago

Is social media doing more harm than good to democracy?

The Hindu  

In the U.K., The Guardian newspaper announced earlier this month that it will no longer be posting on X, claiming that it is “a toxic media platform” and that its owner, Elon Musk, “has been able to use its influence to shape political discourse.” Is social media a useful tool or is it becoming a threat to democratic societies? Edited …

A social media ban for children younger than 16 is introduced in Australia’s Parliament
4 months ago

A social media ban for children younger than 16 is introduced in Australia’s Parliament

The Hindu  

Australia’s communications minister introduced a world-first law into Parliament on Thursday that would ban children younger than 16 from social media, saying online safety was one of parents’ toughest challenges. Michelle Rowland said TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat, Reddit, X and Instagram were among the platforms that would face fines of up to 50 million Australian dollars for systemic failures to prevent …

Australia’s parliament considers legislation banning social media for under 16s
4 months ago

Australia’s parliament considers legislation banning social media for under 16s

Associated Press  

MELBOURNE, Australia — Australia’s communications minister introduced a world-first law into Parliament on Thursday that would ban children under 16 from social media, saying online safety was one of parents’ toughest challenges. One quarter have been exposed to content promoting unsafe eating habits.” Government research found that 95% of Australian care-givers find online safety to be one of their “toughest …

Australian parliament debates social media ban for children under 16
4 months ago

Australian parliament debates social media ban for children under 16

Firstpost  

The world-first legislation would force social media firms to take steps to prevent those under 16 years of age from accessing platforms such as X, TikTok, Facebook and Instagram Australian PM Anthony Albanese has endorsed banning children from registering social media accounts until they are 16. X/AlboMP Social media companies could be fined more than US$30 million if they fail …

Is a “digital duty of care” enough to protect young people from social media’s harms?
4 months ago

Is a “digital duty of care” enough to protect young people from social media’s harms?

ABC  

Since the start of November, the Australian government has made two significant announcements aimed at addressing the harms that social media platforms are causing to the mental health of adolescents: that it will legislate a minimum age of 16 for access to social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and X; that it will legislate a minimum age of 16 …

Opinions divided over Australia's social media ban move
4 months, 1 week ago

Opinions divided over Australia's social media ban move

China Daily  

FILE PHOTO: A TikTok logo is displayed on a smartphone in this illustration taken January 6, 2020. The Australian government is pushing ahead with legislation that will ban all children under the age of 16 from social media platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, Instagram and X — even with parental consent. "This may mean that they access social media without …

Opinions divided over Australia's social media ban move
4 months, 1 week ago

Opinions divided over Australia's social media ban move

China Daily  

FILE PHOTO: A TikTok logo is displayed on a smartphone in this illustration taken January 6, 2020. The Australian government is pushing ahead with legislation that will ban all children under the age of 16 from social media platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, Instagram and X — even with parental consent. "This may mean that they access social media without …

Some social media platforms will be exempt from the under-16s ban. So what's in and what's out?
4 months, 1 week ago

Some social media platforms will be exempt from the under-16s ban. So what's in and what's out?

ABC  

New laws are set to land in federal parliament next week, banning children under 16 from accessing social media. Concerns Snapchat could be exempt from social media ban Photo shows A teenager looks down at a smartphone screen displaying the Snapchat logo, a yellow screen with a white ghost cartoon Communications Minister Michelle Rowland has been asked if Snapchat could …

Australia’s plan to ban children from social media proves popular and problematic
4 months, 1 week ago

Australia’s plan to ban children from social media proves popular and problematic

Associated Press  

MELBOURNE, Australia — How do you protect children from the harms of social media? The Australian government’s plan to ban children from social media platforms including X, TikTok, Facebook and Instagram until their 16th birthdays is politically popular. More than 140 such experts signed an open letter to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemning the 16-year age limit as “too blunt …

Australia's plan to ban children from social media proves popular and problematic
4 months, 1 week ago

Australia's plan to ban children from social media proves popular and problematic

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The Australian government’s plan to ban children from social …

The government is overhauling Australia's social media laws. So what will actually change?
4 months, 1 week ago

The government is overhauling Australia's social media laws. So what will actually change?

ABC  

It's a cruel irony that solutions are never as interesting as the problems they're designed to fix. In the case of social media, we're seemingly incapable of tearing ourselves away from our devices, and the solutions tend to be upwards of 40,000 words, in the case of the Online Safety Act. It's also a completely separate beast to the government's …

Australia will require social media platforms to act to prevent online harm to users
4 months, 1 week ago

Australia will require social media platforms to act to prevent online harm to users

The Hindu  

Australia plans to require social media platforms to act to prevent online harms to users such as bullying, predatory behavior and algorithms pushing destructive content, the government said Thursday. “The Digital Duty of Care will place the onus on digital platforms to proactively keep Australians safe and better prevent online harms,” Communications Minister Michelle Rowland said in a statement. “DIGI’s …

Australia will require social media platforms to act to prevent online harm to users
4 months, 1 week ago

Australia will require social media platforms to act to prevent online harm to users

Associated Press  

MELBOURNE, Australia — Australia plans to require social media platforms to act to prevent online harms to users such as bullying, predatory behavior and algorithms pushing destructive content, the government said Thursday. “The Digital Duty of Care will place the onus on digital platforms to proactively keep Australians safe and better prevent online harms,” Communications Minister Michelle Rowland said in …

Social media for children: To ban or not to ban
4 months, 1 week ago

Social media for children: To ban or not to ban

The Hindu  

“I didn’t care much for social media for a long time. Early usage of social media “Anitha M. Kalibhat, School Coordinator, Alpine Public School, said, “As digital interactions dominate, face-to-face communication has diminished, leading to a decline in essential social skills. “Adolescents aged 14 to 19 frequently engage with social media,” said Dr. K. John Vijay Sagar, a child psychiatrist …

Australia will require social media platforms to act to prevent online harm to users
4 months, 1 week ago

Australia will require social media platforms to act to prevent online harm to users

NPR  

Australia will require social media platforms to act to prevent online harm to users toggle caption Rick Rycroft/AP MELBOURNE, Australia — Australia plans to require social media platforms to act to prevent online harms to users such as bullying, predatory behavior and algorithms pushing destructive content, the government said Thursday. "The Digital Duty of Care will place the onus on …

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