15 h. ago How Australia became the testing ground for a social media ban for young people

From nascent policy idea in one state to passing federal parliament in just days, it’s been a whirlwind journey for the world-first legislation that will take effect from 10 DecemberIn late 2023, the South Australian premier’s wife put down a book she had been reading. It was Jonathan Haidt’s The Anxious Generation.“[She] said to me you better bloody do something about this ... and then we got to work,” Peter Malinauskas later recalled in an ABC interview. Continue reading...

Politics

39 h. ago ‘Everyone will miss the socialising – but it’s also a relief’: five young teens on Australia’s social media ban

As the under-16s social media ban looms, Guardian Australia speaks to five 13 to 15-year-olds about what they will miss, and what government should be doing insteadAustralia’s world-first social media ban for under-16s will begin in just a few days. Malaysia, Denmark and Norway are to follow suit and the European Union last week passed a resolution to adopt similar restrictions. As the world watches on, millions of Australian adolescents and their parents are wondering just what will actually change come 10 December.Concerns around the negative impact social media use can have on the wellbeing of young people have been around since the quaint days of Myspace – long before those to be affected by the ban were even born.Sign up for a weekly email featuring our best reads Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago Teens hoping to get around Australia’s social media ban are rushing to smaller apps. Where are they going?

As Meta begins deleting accounts and the deadline looms, children have already begun to flock to platforms not included in the banned list, like Coverstar, Lemon8, Yope and RednoteAustralia social media ban explained: everything you need to knowGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAs Australia prepares to block under-16s from accessing 10 of its largest social media platforms, less prominent companies have begun courting the teen market – in some cases paying underaged influencers to promote them.One teenaged TikTok influencer said in a paid “collab” video for the app Coverstar: “The social media ban is fast approaching, but I found the new cool app we can all move to.” Continue reading...

Politics

4 d. ago Social media ban: Instagram and Facebook begin shutting down under

Ban due to take effect next week, but Meta has started deactivating accounts alreadyAustralia social media ban explained: everything you need to knowFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastFacebook and Instagram began shutting down half a million accounts of users under 16 years old on Thursday as the deadline for Australia’s social media ban looms.The under-16s social media ban is due to take effect from 10 December, but Meta alerted users last month that it would begin shutting down accounts from 4 December.Do you know more? Email josh.taylor@theguardian.com Continue reading...

Technology

4 d. ago Australia to ban under 16s from social media with fines up to £24m

The regulator said courts could impose maximum penalties for repeated violations.

Economics

4 d. ago Australia’s social media ban explained and what it means for the UK

Australia has passed world-first legislation banning children under the age of 16 from using social media. But what does this mean for the UK? Will bans come into place? Here are the essential facts

Politics

4 d. ago Australia's under 16 social media ban sparks debate as users call for UK to do the same

As Australia's social media ban for under 16s looms, users have shared mixed reactions, but could the UK follow suit and ban young people from using popular social media apps too?

Politics

5 d. ago Australia social media ban: when is it, how will it work and what apps are being banned for under

Will the ban be delayed or postponed, and how will age verification work? Platforms will need to deactivate accounts for users under 16 and stop teens from making accounts until they are that age, or face fines of up to $50m. Here’s everything you need to knowGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAustralia’s world-first social media ban for children under the age of 16 is just a week away.The tech platforms – large and small – are working on functionality that will kick off existing under-16 account holders and prevent any new ones from signing up. Continue reading...

Events

7 d. ago Lucas Paqueta risks ban for emotional outburst on social media after West Ham vs Liverpool

West Ham midfielder Lucas Paqueta has spoken out on social media platform X after his red card against Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.

Events

8 d. ago Man Utd star who 'liked' social media post ridiculing Ruben Amorim faces ban

One Manchester United defender recently reacted to a social media post criticising Ruben Amorim

Politics

1 week ago Teenagers sue government over nationwide social media ban for ‘violating their right to communicate’

High Court challenge says law imposing ban is ‘grossly excessive’ and infringes on ‘constitutional right of freedom of political communication’

Politics

1 week ago Australian teenagers sue government saying social media ban violates their right to communicate

High Court challenge says law imposing ban is ‘grossly excessive’ and infringes on ‘constitutional right of freedom of political communication’

Politics

1 week ago Australia will enforce a social media ban for children under 16 despite a court challenge

The Australian government says children under 16 will be banned from social media next month as scheduled despite a legal challenge

Events

1 week ago Another country set to join Australia with ban on social media for children

Australia’s move is being closely watched by countries that share concerns about social media impacts

Politics

1 week ago After Australia, now Malaysia to ban children under 16 from social media

Malaysia joins growing list of countries imposing ban on social media usage for children

Politics

2 w. ago Snapchat to tell 440,000 Australians to prove they’re 16 or accounts will be locked in social media ban

In-app notifications go out this week to users believed to be aged under 16 ahead of 10 December social media banFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastSnapchat is about to begin alerting some users that their accounts will be deactivated when Australia’s under-16s social media ban takes effect from 10 December.Users that the platform assesses are likely to be aged under 16 were due to begin getting notifications about the ban this week in-app, via email or SMS. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago 'World's sexiest footballer' Alisha Lehmann goes topless in bold new photoshoot

Alisha Lehmann has risked a social media ban as she shared some topless snaps on Instagram - leaving fans hot under the collar in the comments section

Events

2 w. ago Twitch out but Pinterest stays. The rules behind Australia’s teen social media ban

The eSafety Commissioner said Twitch qualifies as a social media service

Politics

2 w. ago Meta alerts young Australians to download their data before a social media ban

Meta has started notifying young Australians to download their digital histories and delete their accounts from Facebook, Instagram, and Threads

Events

2 w. ago Ben Stokes the thunder god primed for Ashes series that may change his Australian legacy

Perth has some good memories for England captain at the culmination of a four-year project cast in his aggressive imageEngland hope to strike a healthy balance between work and play and at the start of this Ashes week, as Australia trained at the ground to prepare for the first Test, the tourists were being, well, tourists.As well as the usual golfers, a handful of players took a boat trip out to Rottnest Island, with Brydon Carse later showing off an impressive fish he had caught. No doubt some of the grouchier past players would sooner his mind was on reeling in a far bigger one: Steve Smith. Continue reading...

Politics