social media platforms

The European Union is considering new restrictions on children's and teenagers' social media access, including age limits, bans, and phased access. Platforms may be required to prove their services are not harmful before allowing minors to use them. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized the need to control when social media can access children.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has chargesheeted eight individuals, including Pakistan-based Shehzad Bhatti, in a January car bomb blast case at a police station in Ambala, Haryana. The NIA alleges Bhatti recruited and radicalized individuals through social media platforms and encrypted communication channels.

Eight Hong Kong teenagers, including four boys and four girls, were arrested alongside a 24-year-old man for allegedly participating in a crime syndicate's scheme to intimidate debtors by splashing paint on property doors. The arrests followed a citywide police operation targeting criminal damage and conspiracy to commit damage.

New York’s Court of Appeals upheld a state law requiring social media platforms to provide hate speech reporting mechanisms but ruled platforms are not obligated to adopt the state’s definition of 'hateful conduct' or act on reports. The 4-3 decision emphasized empowering users to report hate speech rather than compelling platforms to endorse the state’s stance. The law, enacted in 2022 following a Buffalo supermarket shooting, faced a First Amendment challenge from a libertarian legal scholar and Rumble, a platform linked to President Donald Trump’s Truth Social.

Australia plans to strengthen laws banning children under 16 from social media platforms. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated this is a priority for his government.

Google has settled a lawsuit with a minor who claimed that social media platforms caused harm. The case is an early test case regarding the impact of social media on children.

Police are investigating a defamation complaint filed by Malayalam actor Lakshmipriya against YouTubers. Steps are being taken to remove alleged defamatory content from social media platforms and preserve it for investigative purposes.

A Gallup study finds social media users express differing views on democracy depending on the platform they use. Dr. Ellyn Maese, a senior researcher at Gallup and study author, discusses the findings with CBS News.

Sourav Ganguly made a police complaint over defamatory social media posts. The former southpaw sought immediate intervention to prevent further circulation of such content on social media platforms.

The UK government will ban social media access for children under 16 years old. The restriction applies to user-to-user platforms designed for social interaction and content posting, including those using algorithms.

Britain has announced a sweeping ban on social media for individuals under 16 years old. The Prime Minister warned that social media platforms are exposing children to content described as 'dangerous' and 'designed to be addictive'.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is expected to announce a social media ban for under-16s, part of a global movement to tighten online safety. The ban will apply to platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook, and could strain relations with the U.S.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to announce a social media ban for under-16s, stricter than Australia's, covering platforms like TikTok and Instagram. The decision follows 116,000 public responses and aims to address online safety concerns, though the U.S. has raised free speech and regulatory concerns.

Starmer is set to announce a ban on younger teenagers from certain social media platforms, modeled after Australia's approach, and will limit their daily use.

A 40-year-old man from Salem, M. Manikandan, was arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a woman, recording the incident on his phone, and threatening to release the video online. Police recovered obscene clips from his device, and an audio clip of the victim's allegations went viral on social media.

Belfast is experiencing unrest, violence, and anti-migrant attacks, with Professor Peter Shirlow linking the violence to a broader European context of interconnected far-right movements. He highlights the role of digital networks and social media in spreading extremist narratives across Europe.

US Jewish leaders support a bipartisan House bill aimed at expanding federal security support for Jewish institutions and requiring social media platforms to explain their handling of online antisemitism.

Australia implemented a nationwide ban on social media accounts for children under 16, but six months later, the law has largely failed to prevent young teens from using the platforms.

The UK's communications regulator has reminded social media platforms they have a duty to minimize hateful content, not encourage it, following Belfast riots.

Prof Adeniyi highlighted how digital technologies have transformed migration by enabling migrants to stay engaged with their home countries through social media and online channels. He called for stronger digital governance amid these technological shifts.

The article explains how social media platforms generate revenue through targeted advertisements and subscription tiers. It highlights these methods as key components of their business models, emphasizing their importance in understanding platform operations.

The Leader of the Opposition in Kerala, Pinarayi Vijayan, refutes Major Ravi's claim that he attended actor Innocent's funeral with a large convoy. His office states the claim is factually incorrect and legal action will be taken against those spreading false content on social media.

The U.S. Supreme Court declined to review Meta's appeal, allowing Vermont to continue its lawsuit alleging the company concealed harmful impacts of its social media platforms on youth. Vermont's Attorney General claims Meta violated the state's Consumer Protection Act by failing to disclose risks like mental health issues and eating disorders linked to platform use.

The UN is calling for urgent action to protect children online, as part of a global effort to hold social media platforms accountable and ensure oversight.

The UK Parliament's Education Committee is advocating for a statutory ban on social media for under-16s, citing serious harms to children's mental health and development caused by addictive platform design elements. The committee also calls for broader regulatory frameworks covering gaming, messaging services, and AI platforms. This position was communicated to the UK government as part of an ongoing consultation that began in March.

Ofcom has determined that TikTok and YouTube do not provide sufficiently safe environments for children. While YouTube claims to work with experts on appropriate experiences and TikTok disputes the findings by highlighting its safety features, the regulatory body has raised concerns about child safety on both platforms.

A California bill (AB 1709) that would prohibit social media platforms from allowing users under 16 to create or maintain accounts is advancing through the legislature. Authored by Assemblymember Josh Lowenthal, the bill requires platforms to implement measures to prevent underage access.

New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez criticized Meta for threatening to shut down its social media platforms in the state following a jury verdict against the company, calling the move a 'PR stunt.' Meta cited the state's demands in a court filing shared with The Hill.

Greece is set to implement a law requiring social media users to provide personal information to access platforms, aiming to combat misinformation and hate speech. The policy, effective in 2024, mandates real-name verification for online accounts.

Turkiye's lawmakers passed a bill requiring social media platforms to implement age-verification tools and control mechanisms to restrict use by children under 15. The legislation aims to regulate online access for minors through mandatory verification systems.

The number of commercial child sexual abuse websites doubled in a year, rising from 7,028 in 2024 to 15,031 in 2025, according to the Internet Watch Foundation. Experts warn criminal gangs are profiting heavily from online exploitation, with such content being 'very easy' to find across social media platforms.

The Consumer Federation of America sued Meta, alleging the company allowed scam advertisements to proliferate on its platforms, failing to protect social media users.

Europe has launched a free, anonymous online age verification app to pressure pornography websites and social media platforms into blocking access by minors. The app is available to any company willing to use it.

MPs in the UK House of Commons rejected a second proposal to ban under-16s from social media by 256 to 150, aligning with the government's stance against the Lords' amendment. The decision comes amid pressure from parents and campaign groups to address online harms affecting children.

Influencer impersonation scams involve fraudsters mimicking social media personalities to deceive online users. These scams often exploit trust in influencers for phishing or financial gain. Targets may include followers seeking authentic interactions or promotions.

A study reveals that most Australian children continue to use social media platforms that have been banned. The findings highlight ongoing concerns about youth access to restricted online spaces.

Experts and crossbench MPs warn Labor's partial gambling ad ban plan is vulnerable to exploitation by a 'predatory industry' capable of adapting to new platforms. Industry sources suggest podcast companies like Apple may remove all wagering ads if regulatory mechanisms are unclear.

A former CIA analyst was sentenced to 37 months in prison for unlawfully retaining and transmitting Top Secret National Defense Information to unauthorized recipients. The classified information was subsequently posted on social media platforms in October 2024. The case highlights serious breaches of national security protocols.

The article discusses strategies for social media platforms to combat misinformation, using the #dcblackout incident as a case study. It examines how false information spreads on platforms and proposes preventative measures to reduce its impact.

Indonesia has implemented a social media age limit regulation, requiring platforms to enforce access restrictions for minors. The policy mandates that social media companies implement measures to prevent underage users from accessing their services.