60 m. 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

2 h. ago Pentagon announces it has killed four men in another boat strike in Pacific

Strike comes amid congressional turmoil over legality of US attacks on suspected drug smugglersThe Pentagon announced on Thursday that the US military’s southern command had conducted another deadly strike on a boat suspected of carrying illegal narcotics, killing four men in the eastern Pacific.Video of the new strike was posted on social media by the US southern command, based in Florida, with a statement saying that, at the direction of Pete Hegseth, the defense secretary, “Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel in international waters operated by a Designated Terrorist Organization”. Continue reading...

Events

5 h. ago Appalled TV fans say HBO has ruined Mad Men with '4K transfer' that shows crew in background of shots and character in 60s sitcom walking past a SIM CARD store

Viewers took to social media after the show debuted on HBO to share a series of mistakes that slipped in, including a crewmember manning a 'puke machine' in an iconic scene.

Culture

8 h. ago 'Beautiful' schoolgirl, 13, took her own life after posting suicidal videos on social media following fall out with friends, inquest hears

Robyn Lott, described by her loving parents as 'beautiful and sensitive', was found dead in her bedroom on July 14 this year.

Events

9 h. ago Letting social media companies assess own harm went 'staggeringly' badly

Campaigners warned that allowing social media firms to assess their own harms is unreliable and highlighted recent research showing kids are being bombarded with harmful content online

Politics

10 h. ago Contactless payments for travel to two major London airports has been delayed

Contactless payments for travel to two major London airports has been delayed  Time Out Worldwide

Transport

10 h. ago Meta to slash spending on metaverse as it shifts focus to AI

Mark Zuckerberg’s social media company considers cutting unit’s budget by as much as 30%

Politics

10 h. ago Meta set to slash spending on metaverse as Zuckerberg shifts focus to AI

Social media company considers cutting unit’s budget by as much as 30%

Politics

10 h. ago Instagram is down for hundreds of users in major worldwide blackout

The outage is impacting users across the globe

Politics

11 h. ago Andrew Tate Misfits fight: All you need to know including date and UK time

Andrew Tate will make his boxing debut this month when he takes on social media star Chase DeMoor in the headline act of Misfits' final boxing show of the year

Politics

11 h. ago Instagram down LIVE: Social media platform suffers major worldwide blackout

Instagram has gone down impacting millions of users across the globe, as people report being unable to log in to the social media app

Politics

11 h. ago Doctor's wife staged disabled daughter's kidnapping to teach her lesson after she talked to predator online who posed as country star Luke Bryan

The doctor claimed on social media that his wife's ill-advised attempt that involved a fake kidnapping of their daughter came 'after exhausting every possible avenue trying to prevent contact.'

Society

11 h. ago Premier League cult hero Shaka Hislop reveals 'aggressive' cancer diagnosis

Hislop made his name as a Premier League goalkeeper, playing for Newcastle when they were twice runners-up under Kevin Keegan. On Thursday, he took to social media to share the news.

Politics

12 h. ago Nigel Farage’s comments on Glasgow schoolchildren ‘simply racist’ – John Swinney

The comments came after Mr Farage posted a video to social media.

Politics

13 h. ago Cruz Beckham sparks hope family feud could be over with surprising sign

Fans are wondering if the Beckham family rift is finally coming to an end after Cruz gave a huge sign on social media

Politics

15 h. ago Coroner's swipe at 'silly' selfie culture after teen kills three pals in horror crash

A coroner exploring the deaths has issued a selfie warning after the court heard Spencer "had a history of bad driving", adding social media is fuelling the "requirement" for dangerous behaviour

Events

15 h. ago Inside historic UK town's Christmas market labelled 'dreadful' with heaving crowds, 'out of hand' food prices and £58 pens

Visitors have taken to social media to document what they call a 'dreadful' and 'chaotic' experience at the annual Christmas event, which attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.

Economics

17 h. ago Cruz Beckham reaches out to Brooklyn in new post after social media block amid family feud

Earlier this year, it emerged that both Cruz and Romeo had unfollowed their eldest brother

Politics

17 h. ago BBC Gardeners' World's Monty Don inundated with support over emotional tribute

Gardeners' World host Monty Don has been inundated with support from his fans after sharing a moving tribute on social media

Politics

17 h. ago Tourists slam UK Christmas market with 'no atmosphere' and crowds 'packed like sardines'

Bath Christmas Market is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, but some visitors have taken to social media to complain about overcrowding, high prices and lack of festive spirit

Economics