Bolivian riot police clashed with anti-government protesters in La Paz on Friday (May 22, 2026) for the second time in a week as unions and Indigenous groups pressed their calls for President Rodrigo Paz to step down. Demands for the business-friendly conservative to resign have persisted despite
A fire broke out at an oil depot in the southern Russian port of Novorossiysk following a Ukrainian drone attack, the city's mayor said on Saturday (May 23, 2026). "As a result of falling UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) debris, a fire broke out at the oil depot
A newt dawn: Wknd talks to Whitley awardee Barkha Subba about her fight for salamandersThey walked among the dinosaurs. Now, they are in danger. There may be only 5,000 Himalayan salamanders left in the wild in India, Subba says. Published on: May 23
Indian woman praises China’s cleanliness, questions civic sense in India: ‘You won’t find a single wrapper’An Indian woman said China’s cleanliness proved civic sense mattered more than population. Published on: May 23, 2026 2:03 PM IST By Mahipal Singh Chouhan Share via Copy link An
Nita Ambani left in splits as student slips Mumbai Indians joke into DAIS graduation speechA Mumbai Indians joke cracked by the head boy of the DAIS' 2026 graduating class left the entire auditorium, including Nita Ambani, laughing. Published on: May 23
Big tech stops complaining, starts complying with Australia's teen social media ban
Online platforms will ping Australian teenagers through over a million accounts in coming days offering a choice: download data, freeze profiles or lose the lot when a world-first ban on kids using social media starts on December 10.
TikTok, Snapchat and Meta's Facebook, Instagram and Threads are poised to deactivate accounts registered by users under 16, five people with knowledge of the plans said.
Australia's remaining 20 million social media users - four-fifths of the population - can expect little interruption, the people said, as platforms promise low-fuss compliance with a law which puts Australia ahead in the protection of youths online.
The picture is a departure from the chaotic scenarios painted during a year of protest by platform operators fearing a loss of users as well as a A$49.5 million ($32 million) fine for noncompliance. Firms had argued mandatory age checks would subject users to endless log-ins, be invasive or inaccurate and be easy to circumvent.
In practice, social media firms will lean on software they already employ to guess age based on engagement through "likes", for instance, rather than the frequent input and verification of birth dates, the people said.
With that software long-established, having originally been developed for marketing, firms will generally resort to so-called age assurance apps only when users complain of being incorrectly blocked, said the people, declining to be identified as the plans are not yet finalised.
Still, the approach is open to teething problems. Anyone can contest bans through age assurance apps which are being deployed at scale for the first time and which trials showed worked but sometimes with unacceptable error rates - typically along the lines of blocking 16-17 year-olds or approving 15 year-olds, with latter cases potentially exposing companies to fines.
For those directed to age assurance apps, disruption will still be minimal, said Julie Dawson, chief policy officer at Yoti, which provides age assurance for Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.
"There'll be a maximum of two to three weeks of people getting to grips with something that they do daily, and then it's old news," she said.
Meta, Snapchat, TikTok and Google, owner of video-sharing platform YouTube, declined to comment. In October parliamentary hearings, all but Google said they planned to comply and would contact young users, without elaborating.
Blocking minors without parental discretion
Governments have been grappling with how to protect children online since Meta documents leaked in 2021 showed awareness of social media's harm to teenagers. In 2024, bestseller "The Anxious Generation" and a campaign by News Corp's Australian arm helped spur political action.
The new law navigated opposition from free speech crusaders and child rights advocates, as well as social media firms and content creators. It gives platform operators until December to implement means of blocking minors without the need for parental discretion.
TikTok, which said it has 200,000 Australian users aged 13-15, told parliament it was designing a button for reporting suspected underage users.
The only Australian-owned firm under the ban is livestream platform Kick, whose moderation came under scrutiny this year following a livestreamed death. A spokesperson said Kick "will be compliant" and "intends to introduce a range of measures".
Platforms will likely direct users to third-party age assurance apps only if the user believes a platform's built-in software guessed the wrong age, the people with knowledge of the matter said.
The apps guess age based on a selfie. If the user believes that is also wrong, they can upload an identification document.
People aged 16-17 are most at risk of disruption because the accuracy of photo-based age estimation dips for people in that range, who are also less likely to have documents such as a driver's licence. About 600,000 Australians are aged 16-17, government data showed.
"A lot of the technological methods of age verification will fail in that narrow band," said Daswin De Silva, a professor of computing at La Trobe University.
For people wrongly barred, "it's probably going to be service distortion, service failure, for a couple of days or weeks maybe until the platforms figure this out".
Australia leading the charge
Smooth implementation of the new law is likely to shape global efforts to limit youth exposure to technology linked to mental and physical dangers such as bullying and obesity.
Britain and France enforced age checks for pornographic websites in June and July and Denmark this month said it will ban under 15s from social media. However, initiatives in places such as France and Florida have been complicated by complaints of impracticality and free speech intrusion.
"The rest of the world is looking at Australia for this new weapon to deal with the apparent problems that some digital platforms are presenting us with," said Stephen Wilson, founder of identity verification consultancy Lockstep, which has advised the Australian and U.S. governments.
The law states platforms must take "reasonable steps" to block minors. The eSafety Commissioner has said steps should include detecting visits via virtual private networks, which mask a device's location.
Beyond VPNs and circumvention, social media platforms also have to consider rivals not yet covered by the ban, said Hassan Asghar, a senior computer science lecturer at Macquarie University.
"I'm no fortune teller (but) it could happen that some other platforms would take over," said Asghar.
($1 = 1.5389 Australian dollars)
Source: EconomicTimes
Related Posts: When Online Fantasy Turns Into A Dangerous Reality for Teenagers Digital platforms must take responsibility for online content Indonesia to ban social media and other online platforms for under 16s India's thriving online delivery platforms face a year of reckoning Sebi Warns Investors Against Digital Gold Sold Via Online Platforms Paytm Launches ‘Pocket Money’ Feature For Teenagers Teenagers’ Height Boost From ‘Body-Lengthening’ Treatment Lasts Just Two Weeks In China Four teenagers detained for assaulting migrant worker from Odisha The US teenagers wowed by African prom dresses Indian National Arrested For Allegedly Stabbing 2 Teenagers On Germany Flight
Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha, who switched from the AAP to the BJP recently, has been appointed as the new chairman of the Committee on Petitions of the Upper House. After reconstituting the Committee on Petitions, Rajya Sabha chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan nominated 10 members of the house to the
7 hours ago
Mumbai, India’s gold demand is expected to contract by 50-60 tonnes this calendar year, around 10 per cent lower than the previous year, following the import duty hike, according to the World Gold Council (WGC). “Looking at 2026 as a whole, we estimate that combined jewellery and bar and coin
7 hours ago
India has issued a heightened health advisory for travellers arriving from several African nations after a fresh Ebola outbreak triggered global concern and prompted stricter surveillance measures worldwide. In response to a fresh Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo
7 hours ago
Elon Musk is going all-in on an unproven technologyWhat lies behind the world’s biggest public offering Published on: May 23, 2026 2:24 PM IST The Economist Share via Copy link IT IS A launch of a more bureaucratic sort than normal for SpaceX, but still characteristically spectacular. On May 20th
7 hours ago
Fisherman M Yuvaraj bustles about his fibreboat, filling fuel in the engine, and checking if everything is in order. He even throws in an umbrella in case it rains. It is almost 4pm when he pushes his boat close to the bank of Pulicat lake. The 57-year-old is not setting out on a fishing trip
7 hours ago
Kerala HM announces 'Operation Toofan' anti-narcotics campaignKerala HM announces 'Operation Toofan' anti-narcotics campaign Published on: May 23, 2026 2:24 PM IST PTI Share via Copy link Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala on Saturday announced a comprehensive statewide
7 hours ago
Mamata’s Lakshmir Bhandar gave Bengal women Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,700 a month based on category. Adhikari’s Annapurna Yojana scraps the categories and doubles it to a flat Rs 3,000. Bengal has a new scheme that is putting real money directly into women’s hands every month — and it is bigger than
7 hours ago
Leadership in Civil Engineering and Construction Management is not born in air-conditioned classrooms. It is shaped under the open sky, amid dust, deadlines, drawings, and decisions. For students aspiring to become civil engineers and construction managers
7 hours ago
French Open crisis deepens as top stars limit media duties in coordinated protest over revenue splitWomen's singles defending champion Coco Gauff answered only 10 questions in her pre-tournament press conference. Published on: May 23, 2026 2:32 PM IST Written by Neelav Chakravarti Share via Copy
7 hours ago
Chopper crash near Leh: Injured major general poses, pilot flashes 'victory' sign in viral selfieAn Army Cheetah chopper crashed near Leh in eastern Ladakh last week. An image from the crash site is now viral. Updated on: May 23, 2026 2:36 PM IST By Rahul Singh Share via Copy link Three days after
7 hours ago
Kolkata Knight Riders and Delhi Capitals face off in a crucial IPL clash, with playoff hopes hanging by a thread. Both teams need a win, but their fate also depends on other results. KKR's strong recovery contrasts with DC's reliance on KL Rahul
7 hours ago
Some of the most useful lessons I learnt as a young restaurateur came from New York restaurateur Danny Meyer’s book Setting the Table. He writes beautifully about the guest who comes in alone. Most diners come in with an agenda — to impress a date, close a deal
7 hours ago
The Union government told the Supreme Court on Friday that 217 Indian nationals had joined the Russian military during the war in Ukraine, of whom 139 have been released from their contractual agreements, The Hindu reported. Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati told a bench headed by Chief
7 hours ago
Hamza Burhan, a key operative linked to the Pakistan-backed terror outfit Al-Badr, who also worked as an Over Ground Worker (OGW) during the Pulwama terror attack period, was killed in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) on Thursday. Several wanted Pakistan-based terrorists
7 hours ago
Nothing says summer quite like a chilled, fruity mocktail. As temperatures continue to rise, refreshing drinks packed with tropical flavours, citrusy notes, and vibrant ingredients are becoming the perfect way to cool down. Whether you are hosting a weekend brunch, planning a house party
7 hours ago
Producer Vashu Bhagnani has lashed out at David Dhawan and his actor-son Varun Dhawan. On Friday, Vashu held a press conference in Mumbai and claimed that the storyline of Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai is similar to Biwi No.1. Released in 1999
7 hours ago
Hyderabad, May 23 (PTI) A lawyer died after being hit by a car outside his residence here in a suspected case of pre-planned murder, police said on Saturday. The 63-year-old victim was about to get into his car when the car hit him at his residence at Masab Tank here.Hyderabad
7 hours ago
Raghav Chadha has been appointed the new chairman of the Committee on Petitions in the Rajya Sabha. The Rajya Sabha chairman reconstituted the committee and nominated ten members. This appointment takes effect from May 20, 2026. Dr. Menaka Guruswamy has also been nominated to the Joint Committee on
7 hours ago
Formula 1’s silly season has arrived early, and we have Red Bull Racing boss Laurent Mekies to thank for it. The Frenchman doubled down on his explosive claim that Max Verstappen’s long-time race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, is heading to McLaren to eventually become team principal
7 hours ago
The blue-collar town that’s set to decide Britain’s next Prime MinisterLabour left-winger Andy Burnham wants to replace Keir Starmer as prime minister. First, he must convince the Makerfield voters and fend off Reform UK. Published on: May 23
7 hours ago
Human beings are not just shaped by their actions, but they are also creatures of circumstance. This is especially true in the sporting world, where athletes’ performance not only depends on their quality but also on who the rivals are, their prevailing standards of excellence and the setting in
7 hours ago
Do you have greasy flakes on nose and scalp? Dermatologist explains what you are doing wrongSeborrheic dermatitis is a chronic skin condition that manifests in the form of greasy flakes on the nose and scalp. Dr Abigail Waldman shares what to do. Updated on: May 23
7 hours ago
Investors just can’t get enough of stocks these daysWar, inflation and worries about the AI boom haven’t kept stocks from setting records. Published on: May 23, 2026 2:27 PM IST WSJ Share via Copy link Investors just can’t get enough of stocks these days
7 hours ago
Fuel prices have surged for the third time in eight days. Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge criticizes the government, accusing it of "looting" citizens. He highlights international examples where countries provided relief. India's petrol and diesel prices have increased by nearly Rs 5 per litre
7 hours ago
Ballia (UP), May 23 (PTI) A court here has sentenced a man to life imprisonment for murdering his wife and dumping her body in a pond in 2019 after the couple remained childless, police said on Saturday. According to the prosecution, Nepal Paswan
7 hours ago
Editorial independence is core to our work. Some links may earn us a commission, without influencing our opinions.Sharara sets are the ultimate festive trend for Eid al-Adha: Choose from these picks under ₹3000From pastel embroidered sets to regal Banarasi shararas
10 hours ago
Tulsi Gabbard resigned as President Donald Trump’s director of national intelligence on Friday (May 22, 2026), saying she needed to step away as her husband battles cancer. She is the fourth Cabinet official to depart during Mr. Trump’s second term. In her resignation letter
10 hours ago
