UK Pressure Mounts for Social Media Ban for Under-16s
A grassroots campaign floods MPs' inboxes demanding a social media ban for children under 16. Keir Starmer hints at following Australia's lead as the debate intensifies.
A grassroots campaign floods MPs' inboxes demanding a social media ban for children under 16. Keir Starmer hints at following Australia's lead as the debate intensifies.
Australian teens are using creative tricks, including scrunching their faces to appear older, to bypass new age verification tools on platforms like Instagram and Snapchat. Discover how the ban is being circumvented.
Australian teenagers are using facial contortions and search history tricks to bypass the new under-16 social media ban. Discover how they're staying online.
Australia's pioneering social media ban for under-16s sees over 4.7 million accounts deactivated. Discover the impact on platforms like Meta and the global implications for online safety.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting invites US expert Jonathan Haidt to advise UK officials on a potential social media ban for under-16s, mirroring Australia's landmark move. Read the latest.
Southwark Council announces a 4.8% rent rise for social tenants from April 2026, citing government policy and financial pressures. Learn how this affects service charges and supported housing.
Following explicit AI images from Grok on X, the UK debates an Australia-style social media ban for under-16s. Can the Online Safety Act keep up?
The UK media regulator Ofcom is investigating X, raising the possibility of a ban on Elon Musk's Grok AI chatbot following similar moves by Indonesia and Malaysia. Discover the legal powers and potential consequences.
PM Keir Starmer tells MPs he is now open to banning social media for under-16s, citing alarm over screen time and online harms. Cross-party support grows for the Australian model.
UK regulator Ofcom has launched a formal investigation into X over potential breaches of the Online Safety Act, including AI-generated indecent images. Discover the potential outcomes, from huge fines to a possible platform ban.
The UK government is considering an Australia-style social media ban for under-16s. A decision is expected within months, amid cross-party support and warnings from safety groups. Read the latest.
Kemi Badenoch's call to ban under-16s from social media addresses real harms but ignores the root cause: toxic platforms and older users. We explore the complex debate.
Meta deactivated nearly 550,000 accounts for under-16s in the first week of Australia's social media ban. The move is being watched closely as pressure grows for a similar UK ban.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch pledges to ban social media for under-16s, citing addiction and mental health risks. The plan gains cross-party and union support.
The Conservative Party pledges to ban social media for children under 16, citing online harms. The policy, announced by leader Kemi Badenoch, goes beyond previous smartphone school bans.
Kemi Badenoch announces Conservative policy to ban social media for children under 16 and smartphones in schools, mirroring Australian laws. Read the full details.
The Conservative Party announces a plan to ban under-16s from social media. Kemi Badenoch leads the policy push, citing child safety concerns. Read the full details and political reactions.
The NASUWT teaching union urges the UK government to ban social media for under-16s, citing evidence of harm to mental health and classroom behaviour. 89% of teachers support the move.
Victoria braces for catastrophic fire conditions with total bans in place, while Queensland faces a 50/50 chance of a tropical cyclone. Follow our live coverage for the latest updates.
Victoria faces its most severe heatwave since 2019, with total fire bans declared in three districts. Officials warn residents to prepare for extreme heat conditions. Stay informed and follow safety advice.
A landmark TV and online ban on advertising unhealthy food and drinks is now in effect. The government says it will prevent 20,000 childhood obesity cases. Read the full details.
It's been 18 years since the infamous 'Last Orders' party on the London Underground before Boris Johnson's alcohol ban. We revisit the chaos, controversy, and lasting impact of the 2008 prohibition.
The UK's independent reviewer of terrorism legislation urges a ban on social media for under-16s, citing radicalisation risks and a 38% rise in Prevent referrals in London. Read the full story.
New support for young adults leaving care in England includes free prescriptions and eye tests. However, experts warn deep-rooted problems in children's social care persist. Read the full analysis.
Unilever is shifting half its ad budget to social media after Vaseline's viral TikTok life hacks, from cleaning shoes to fixing squeaky doors. Discover the 'social listening' strategy reshaping advertising.
Comedian Dom Joly says his US travel authorisation was rejected due to critical posts about Donald Trump. The incident highlights new fears over US border controls and social media screening.
France is set to introduce a social media ban for children under 15 from September 2026. The draft bill, championed by President Macron, aims to protect teens from online risks. Read the full details.
From 1 January 2026, Australians will see cheaper prescription medicines, new rules for cash payments, and major state law changes. Discover all the key updates coming into effect.
Discover how authentic UK creators like 'Bus Aunty' and a Cotswolds gardener are winning millions of followers as an antidote to AI-generated social media content.
From the Bondi terror attack to Diwali lights and climate protests, Guardian Australia's photographers captured a nation's defining moments in 2025. Explore the powerful images.