2 h. ago Should the US adopt Australia’s social media ban for teens? Experts weigh in

As millions of teens in Australia had their Instagram accounts deactivated, psychotherapists and psychologists in the US say this social media ban is for the better

Politics

15 h. ago Aussie teens have left the chat: World first social media ban for under 16s goes into effect as it wipes out more than 1.5million accounts

Australia has officially adopted its world-leading legislation to ban children under the age of 16 from social media.

Economics

28 h. ago Reddit adds safety features for teens everywhere after Australia social media ban

The new Australian law and the new safety features on Reddit go into effect December 10

Politics

35 h. ago Australia PM tells teens to ‘read a book and stop scrolling’ as social media ban comes into effect

New law forces major platforms to block under-16s as global attention turns to Australia’s experiment

Politics

4 d. 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

5 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

6 d. ago Experts weigh in: You’re definitely giving yourself brain rot

Growing rates of ADHD in the US heighten concerns that heavy short-form videos leads to ‘brain rot’

Politics

6 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

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

2 w. 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

2 w. ago Apple or pumpkin? Experts weigh in on the healthiest pie (yes, really)

If you’re looking for the healthiest pie, one is far better than the other, according to experts

Science

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

3 w. ago Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua verdict delivered as five experts weigh in

A fight between Anthony Joshua and Jake Paul has been announced for next month, with several boxing icons giving their thoughts on the controverisial clash

Politics

4 w. ago TikTok influencers are putting raw potato slices in their socks at bedtime. Experts weigh in on dubious health trend

‘Toxin-targeting’ trend has gone viral

Science