Ursula Von der Leyen pushes EU-wide social-media age protections for children

The European Commission president said an EU age-verification app is technically complete and that bloc-level rules on minimum social-media ages are next. France, Spain, and several others are already [...]

Meta is trying to make Facebook suck less by simplifying things a bit

Somewhere along its never-ending quest to increase engagement, Meta realized that giving Facebook users more of what they want would make it more likely that they'll stick around. The company has [...]

Nearly one-third of teens use AI chatbots daily

AI chatbots haven't come close to replacing teens' social media habits, but they are playing a significant role in their online habits. Nearly one-third of US teens report using AI chatbots [...]

Canada wants to ban under-16s from social media, and rein in AI chatbots too

Canada has introduced a bill that would bar under-16s from social media and, in a twist that sets it apart from other countries, regulate AI chatbots in the same sweep. The Digital Safety Act, tabled [...]

Meta will let kids under 13 use WhatsApp with parent-managed accounts

Meta has announced that it’s introducing parent-managed accounts on WhatsApp. Designed to allow young people under the age of 13 to use the messaging platform more safely, these accounts feature new [...]

Snapchat gives parents more info on who their kids are talking to

Snapchat is updating its parental control features to give parents more detailed information about who their kids are connecting with in the app and which features they use the most. The app's Fa [...]

Are VPNs legal?

VPNs have a mixed reputation, primarily because you can use the technology to hide your location and identity on the internet. Even the best VPNs can be used to conceal crimes and make the perpetrator [...]

Australia will consider requiring app stores to block AI services without age verification

Australia's government may take a strict stance on ensuring younger users cannot access AI chatbots. Reuters reports that Australian regulators may require app storefronts to block AI services th [...]

New Zealand rules out a VPN ban after a fierce privacy backlash

The New Zealand government has ruled out restricting or banning VPNs as part of its planned under-16 social media ban. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Education Minister Erica Stanford both moved [...]