Vivo T5x 5G Price In India: The device is expected to include Ultra Game Mode for a more immersive experience, along with 4D gaming vibrations, enhanced haptic feedback, and a Game Voice Changer feature that allows users to modify their voice during gameplay
SC grants 12-week maternity leave to all adoptive mothers, removes 3-month age capThe SC bench also urged the Union government to consider introducing paternity leave as a social welfare measure. Published on: Mar 17, 2026 1:27 PM IST By Utkarsh Anand Share via Copy link The Supreme Court on
The actress also shared glimpses from her visit to the famous Santa Claus Village. Mumbai: Bollywood actress Bhagyashree recently took her social media account to share glimpses from her adventurous holiday in Finland, where she visited the Santa village and also swam in the icy ocean at minus 25
Global financial markets have turned volatile since the start of the ongoing Iran war, with the conflict disrupting oil supplies and triggering sharp swings in equities and commodities. As uncertainty deepens, investors are increasingly shifting money away from riskier assets such as stocks and
A Utah mother who published a children's book about grief after the sudden death of her husband has been found guilty of his murder. A jury found that Kouri Richins killed her husband in March 2022 by poisoning him with a fentanyl-laced drink
How will Australia’s social media ban work? | Explained
How will Australia’s social media ban work? | Explained Premium
The story so far: On December 10, Australia became the first country in the world to implement a social media ban on users under the age of 16. The ban blocks children from accessing nearly 10 big social platforms, including X and Facebook. Platforms that don't comply with the new rules will face a fine of up to $33 million (A$49.5 million). Australia's ban caps a year-long debate over whether governments can effectively stop teenagers from using social media platforms. Now, about half a dozen countries have signalled that they will study Australia's new policy and see if they can emulate it.
In November, 2024, the Australian government introduced the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Bill 2024, which mandated a minimum age of 16 for accounts on certain social media platforms. The new law curtails parents giving consent to their children under 16 to use these platforms. The government's rationale is that banning social media will protect the mental health and well-being of children. The government sees social media as a fertile ground for cyberbullying, harmful content generation, and online predatory practices.
Prior to the ban taking effect on December 10, Meta said it was sending warnings to thousands of Australian teenagers between ages 13 and 15, notifying them to download their digital history and delete their accounts. However, it is unclear whether the process has been completed as verification is a lengthy, multi-step undertaking. The country's internet regulator, the Australian Communications and Media Authority, has noted that there are close to 1,50,000 Facebook users between 13 and 15 years, as well as 3,50,000 Instagram users. Meta's actions are in line with the restrictions imposed by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's government on multiple social media platforms including TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube, X, Reddit, Twitch and the livestreaming website Kick. These companies are required to take “reasonable steps” to keep underage users off their platforms, failing which they will face fines.
Despite doubts on whether regulation will lead to better mental health outcomes for children, companies are begrudgingly following instructions. A Meta spokesperson said that while they are committed to fulfilling the legal obligations, they have raised their concerns around the regulation, saying a “blanket ban” is hardly the solution. The company claimed this action will isolate teenagers from online communities and information while also giving “inconsistent protection.” Mr. Albanese has responded saying that given this is the first time a law like this is being passed, there will be flaws while implementing it.
Meta advised affected users to update their contact details so that the company can SMS or email them once they turn 16. Once these children cross the cut-off age, users can resume operating their accounts and find the same reels, posts, messages and short videos. Users can also choose to delete their account completely, if they wish. However, there is a fair chance that Meta might inaccurately flag a user as being under 16. An Age Estimation report published by the Australian government found that age verification systems using facial recognition showed false rejection rates higher than “acceptable levels”, at 8.5% and 2.6% respectively, for users of 16 and 17 years of age. In case accounts are incorrectly flagged, Meta has said that users can verify their age either with a government ID or a video selfie via the third-party facial age-verification platform Yoti. Critics have voiced concerns about the surveillance risks of checking children's ages with age-verification technology.
Meta vice-president and global head of safety, Antigone Davis, stated that the company would like the app stores of Apple and Google Play to collect age-related data when users sign up, and verify whether they have reached 16 years on behalf of Meta. Ms. Davis added this would ensure a standard procedure and also maintain user privacy. Meta hasn't disclosed what methods they will use to determine the ages of users, so that children under 16 don't find a loophole through which to evade the ban. But varied options have been discussed, including government IDs, facial or voice recognition, or age inference methods that consider online user data like interactions to estimate a user's age.
Gaming platforms like Roblox and Discord have recently been forced to introduce age restrictions for specific features, fearing that they could be potential targets.
The recent crusade by parents against social media platforms over their handling of teenagers accounts' has exposed the extent to which they evaded responsibility. The court filings in a lawsuit against Meta and TikTok cited internal chats within these companies. “Instagram is a drug... we're basically pushers,” Meta executives reportedly noted in a conversation. Meanwhile, an internal report at TikTok said that “minors did not have executive mental function to control their screen time.” The investigation also found that Meta had buried evidence linking higher usage of their platforms with “depression, anxiety, loneliness and social comparison.”
Published - December 14, 2025 02:15 am IST
The Hindu Explains / Australia
Source: TheHindu
Related Posts: The whole country is against you when you play in Australia - Finn Thai king becomes country's first monarch to visit China Delhi man applying for US tourist visa advised to ‘see his own country first’ Thai king set to be country's first monarch to visit China Thai king set to be country's first ruling monarch to visit China Which Country Was The First To Introduce Currency Notes SiCSem starts work to build country's first end-to-end chip production project in Odisha Became finance minister first time at Deve Gowda's insistence Winter Session of Parliament to be held from December 1 to December 19 Israel threatens national film awards after Palestinian story wins top prize
Ahead of the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami on Tuesday launched a fierce attack on the DMK government, calling Chief Minister MK Stalin a "puppet" and accusing his administration of failing to maintain law and order across the state
1 hours ago
The Iran war is roiling commodities far beyond oilThe Gulf states, it is rapidly becoming clear, matter for the supply of much more than oil and gas. Updated on: Mar 17, 2026 12:37 PM IST The Economist Share via Copy link SINCE THE third Gulf war began three weeks ago
1 hours ago
Skipper Suryakumar Yadav contrasted India's 2024 and 2026 T20 World Cup victories. He noted the 2024 squad possessed experienced enthusiasm, while the 2026 team was fueled by the fiery passion of youth. Yadav explained the 2024 team had more defined roles and experience. The 2026 team
1 hours ago
India's energy security gets a boost as LPG tanker Nanda Devi docks at Kandla Port today, following sister ship Shivalik. Carrying 46,000 MT of cooking gas, the vessel's safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz marks a major diplomatic victory amid the West Asia conflict
1 hours ago
I didn’t enter hospitality the traditional way. I arrived sideways, from law. From a world of documents, structure and certainty into one that looked, from the outside, joyful, chaotic and alive. Energy, bustle, creativity, smiles and delicious food landing on tables and changing the mood of a
1 hours ago
Sania Mirza returns to India after spending tense days in Dubai: ‘Heard fighter jets above our house’ Updated on: Mar 17, 2026 1:51 PM IST Written by Vishesh Roy Share via Copy link Sania Mirza and her ex-husband Shoaib Malik welcomed son Izhaan in 2018
1 hours ago
Nora Fatehi's new song Sarke Chunar Teri Sarke faces legal issues after backlash over vulgar lyricsWhat began as social media criticism has now escalated into legal scrutiny, with Nora Fatehi’s Sarke Chunar Teri Sarke drawing objections over its lyrics Published on: Mar 17
1 hours ago
Editorial independence is core to our work. Some links may earn us a commission, without influencing our opinions.8 robot vacuum cleaner myths you’ve been believing and what they can really doThink robot vacuums just suck up dust? Discover 8 common myths about robovacs and find out what these
1 hours ago
BCCI faces backlash after wrongly crediting Shubman Gill as Champions Trophy-winning captain instead of Rohit Sharma at Naman Awards 2026. The BCCI found itself in the middle of a social media storm after a major on-screen error at the Naman Awards 2026 wrongly credited Shubman Gill as India’s
1 hours ago
A group of Brazilian bridesmaids has gone viral for their high-energy dance to "Beedi Jalaile" at an Alibaug wedding. Know the secret history of why every Brazilian knows this Bollywood song—thanks to a 2009 hit telenovela. In a small town called Alibaug
1 hours ago
For years, Fede Valverde has been Real Madrid's unsung hero. The player who runs for everyone else, the one who fills the gaps. At the Bernabeu last Wednesday, the 27-year-old midfielder made himself the man who the headlines revolved around as his stunning hat-trick left Manchester City 3-0 down
1 hours ago
Kerala's Kottayam district sees a unique political contest as veteran P C George and his son Shone George vie for votes as NDA candidates. They are contesting in Poonjar and Pala constituencies, areas with significant Christian populations. The father-son duo aims to make a mark for the NDA in the
1 hours ago
Nora Fatehi features alongside Sanjay Dutt in the dance number ‘Sarke Chunar Teri Sarke’ from the Kannada film KD: The Devil. The video, released on Sunday, received mixed reactions. While some fans praised Nora’s dance, many were shocked by the ‘vulgar’ lyrics, suggestive dance moves
1 hours ago
The Delhi High Court on Tuesday (March 17, 2026) directed social media platforms and other online intermediaries to take down or block access within India to allegedly defamatory contents linking Himayani Puri, daughter of Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri
1 hours ago
A former BJP panchayat chief, Pabitra Kar, has rejoined the ruling TMC. Kar was known to be close to senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari. His return fuels speculation that he may contest against Adhikari in the Nandigram assembly seat. Kar had previously quit TMC to join BJP
1 hours ago
Apple AirPods Max 2 Price In India: The headphones offer improved sound quality with a new high dynamic range amplifier designed to deliver cleaner audio. Apple AirPods Max 2 Price In India: Apple has launched the new AirPods Max 2, bringing improved sound quality
1 hours ago
Chef Kunal Kapur's eggless '1-minute microwave brownie recipe' is a must-try: Here is the step-by-step recipeChef Kunal Kapur's chocolate-and-walnut brownie recipe is a game-changer. To make it, check step-by-step instructions and the simple pantry staples you need. Published on: Mar 17
1 hours ago
Israel Targets Iran’s Security Chief Ali Larijani In Airstrike, Says ‘Unclear If He Was Killed Or Injured’Israel Targets Iran’s Security Chief Ali Larijani In Airstrike, Says ‘Unclear If He Was Killed Or Injured’Israel Targets Iran’s Security Chief Ali Larijani In Airstrike
1 hours ago
U.S. Vice-President J.D. Vance on Monday (March 16, 2026) expressed support for the way President Donald Trump was handling the war in Iran and said he trusted him to make sure that “the mistakes of the past” are not repeated. Mr. Vance’s comments appeared to be an effort to
1 hours ago
Two Iranian women footballers who were granted asylum by Australia and accepted the same were seen training in Brisbane. They joined practice with a professional club in Brisbane in their first public appearance since they accepted asylum Down Under
1 hours ago
Jeffrey Epstein case: A video spreading quickly on social media platforms has raised new claims that disgraced financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein might still be alive. Jeffrey Epstein case: A video spreading quickly on social media platforms has raised new claims that disgraced
1 hours ago
The Iran war has already rattled India's liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) market. Now another energy artery is under scrutiny: the country's rapidly expanding network of piped natural gas (PNG) - gas delivered by pipeline to homes and businesses
1 hours ago
Sri Lanka has declared every Wednesday a holiday for public institutions to conserve fuel as the island nation grapples with possible shortages in the wake of the US and Israel's war with Iran. "We must prepare for the worst, but hope for the best
1 hours ago
Not consulted, excluded by new bill: Transgender activistsThe bill violates the right to self-determine one’s gender, as well as the right to privacy granted by the Supreme Court of India in judgements passed in 2014 and 2017 Published on: Mar 17
1 hours ago
Renault bets on Duster revival to power India turnaroundThe original Renault Duster, launched more than a decade ago, effectively created the compact SUV category in India. Published on: Mar 17, 2026 12:26 PM IST By Tushar Deep Singh Share via Copy link Renault India is doubling down on its most
1 hours ago
The last atomic clock aboard the Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS)-1F satellite has failed, ISRO has said in a statement. This further weakens the country’s indigenous ‘GPS’ system, informally called NavIC
1 hours ago
Amid rising concerns over an LPG shortage linked to the ongoing West Asia tensions, a protest in Uttar Pradesh’s Varanasi has caught attention online for the unusual way it was carried out. A video from the city shows police officials seizing a gas cylinder
1 hours ago
