Topic
Online Safety
31 stories related to this topic, newest first.
technology2 days ago
Sydney AI startup linked to site with underage-looking AI characters
Coreflow, a Sydney-based company, operates the AI pornography platform OurDream. The site states it bans content depicting anyone under 18, yet age-estimation software flagged multiple characters as 15 or younger.
Engadgettechnology5 days ago
Roblox Makes Age-Based Account Tiers Mandatory Worldwide, Tightening Access for Younger Users
The platform introduced three account categories tied to user age and content maturity ratings after a U.S. debut in May.
The Hollywood Reporterai7 days ago
U.K. Sets Social Media Age Limits for Under-16s and AI Chatbots
Legislation will bar under-16s from user-to-user platforms and require AI romantic-companion services to set an 18-year minimum. The rules are scheduled to take effect by spring 2027 after final drafting.
The Independentpolitics8 days ago
47% of girls 13-17 saw high-risk content in a week; suicide and self-harm exposure fell 3 points
New data shows exposure to harmful material remains widespread among teenage girls despite safety measures. The government is weighing further restrictions after a consultation closed last month.
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calgaryherald.comworld8 days ago
Father of deceased teenager criticizes reported plans to restrict youth social media access
The father of a teenager who died after viewing harmful online content expressed dismay over reports that the government plans to announce new restrictions on children's social media use within days. He said the timing appeared rushed and questioned whether the move was driven by…
The Guardianpolitics12 days ago
UK to Announce Under-16 Social Media Restrictions Next Week Despite Technical and Free-Speech Objections from US
The British government will proceed with planned limits on under-16s' access to social media and gaming platforms. The US embassy in London has urged against outright bans and one-size-fits-all rules.
Bbcpolitics14 days ago
UK Government Directs Tech Firms to Block Nude Images on Devices Used by Children
The government announced that technology companies must activate features to prevent children from sending or receiving sexually explicit images. Companies have three months to comply or face legislation that could include fines and possible criminal liability for executives.
news.google.compolitics14 days ago
UK Government to Mandate Tech Firms Install Software Blocking Children from Taking, Storing or Sharing Intimate Images
Prime Minister Keir Starmer plans to announce the first phase of new online restrictions tomorrow, following a consultation that showed 89 percent of responding parents support a minimum age for social media access.
The Independentscience19 days ago
Report: 79% of UK Children With Additional Needs Encounter Online Harm, Majority of All Children Do Not
Internet Matters research shows girls and children with additional needs face higher rates of exposure to harmful content. The charity urges stronger age verification and continued review of the Online Safety Act.
ottawacitizen.comai24 days ago
Ottawa Police Charge Two Men in AI-Generated Deepfake Case Involving Canadian Women
Ottawa police have charged two men with multiple counts of harassment, threats and distribution of non-consensual intimate images created using artificial intelligence. Court documents list up to 25 alleged victims whose social-media photos were allegedly altered into violent and…
focustaiwan.twtechnology27 days ago
Father of 14-year-old who died by suicide urges government action on social media
Mariano Janin, father of Mia Janin, called for stronger regulation of social media companies after an inquest linked his daughter's death to online bullying on Snapchat and TikTok.
freepressjournal.intechnology34 days ago
U.S. Tech Platforms Begin Compliance With Take It Down Act on May 19
Starting May 19, platforms must provide a process for reporting nonconsensual intimate images and videos. The Federal Trade Commission will enforce the requirements established by the law.
The Independentpolitics35 days ago
Meghan Markle Calls for Global Action on Children's Online Safety
The Duchess of Sussex addressed global health leaders at a Geneva memorial event on Sunday. She described children's online safety as a public health issue and urged stronger protections against digital harm.
The Bbctechnology38 days ago
X Agrees to Ofcom Targets for Reviewing UK Illegal Hate and Terror Reports Within 24 Hours on Average
Social media platform X has committed to reviewing UK reports of suspected illegal hate and terrorist content within 24 hours on average, with targets accepted by regulator Ofcom. The pledges include performance data submissions every three months and action against accounts link…
The Guardiantechnology39 days ago
Ofcom fines US suicide forum £950k and prepares to block it in UK as Google defends search links
Ofcom fined the US-based forum's operators £950,000 after the site remained accessible in the UK despite laws against encouraging suicide. A link to the forum appeared as the second search result below the Samaritans on Google. The Molly Rose Foundation raised the issue, citing t…
Rest of Worldtechnology39 days ago
Future of Privacy Forum CEO Discusses Online Safety Measures for Minors
Jules Polonetsky said governments are moving to regulate children's access to social media but that blanket bans may not be effective. He called for risk-based approaches, improved parental tools, and greater use of AI for content moderation. Polonetsky spoke at a Rest of World v…
France 24world39 days agoUpdated
70 Million Warnings Sent Over Attempts to Access Child Abuse Material
Project Intercept, a partnership between the Lucy Faithfull Foundation and technology companies including Google, TikTok and Meta, has sent more than 70 million warning messages over the past two years. Nearly 700,000 people accessed support resources after the alerts. The initia…
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The Guardiantechnology40 days ago
Ofcom fines online forum £950,000 for failing to block UK users from suicide-related content
Ofcom imposed the penalty after a 13-month investigation, the first of its kind under the Online Safety Act. The forum, which BBC News investigations linked to at least 50 deaths including two from Southampton, remains accessible in Britain without a VPN. Families of the deceased…
thesouthafrican.compolitics40 days ago
Prince of Wales Presents Honours to 60 People at Windsor Castle
Prince William presented honours to 60 individuals at Windsor Castle on May 13, 2026, recognising achievements in music, sport, business and online safety. Singer Ellie Goulding received her MBE for environmental work while former Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy collected…
bbc.co.ukai41 days ago
Online Child Exploitation Cases Rise Sharply Across Canada
Police-reported incidents of online child sexual exploitation increased 374 per cent between 2014 and 2024, according to Statistics Canada. Northern Ontario police services reported growing caseloads involving luring and sextortion, citing social media, gaming platforms and artif…
bangkokpost.comtechnology42 days ago
UK Children Use Fake Beards and VPNs to Bypass Online Age Checks
A new survey by Internet Matters found that 46% of UK children aged 9-16 believe age-verification systems are easy to bypass, with some using drawn-on facial hair or other people's faces. Nearly half reported experiencing online harm in the past month despite increased safety fea…
The Independenttechnology45 days ago
Instagram Ends Optional End-to-End Encryption for Direct Messages
Instagram has discontinued support for end-to-end encrypted direct messages effective May 8 2026. The change reverses a plan announced by parent company Meta in 2019 to roll out the technology across its messaging services. Users will now only have access to standard encryption o…
The Guardianai44 days ago
AI Use Rises in Retirement Planning
About 20% of Americans use AI chatbots for retirement advice according to one study, even as median savings sit at $40,000 against a $1.5 million goal. Experts say the tools can run basic simulations but often fail on tax nuances, Social Security rules and longevity risks. UK sch…
thehindu.comfinance59 days agoUpdated
Trump States Tariffs on UK Unless Digital Services Tax Reversed
President Donald Trump threatened to impose a big tariff on the UK if it does not drop its digital services tax on US social media companies. This comes amid ongoing scrutiny of social media harms, including a 2024 Senate hearing where Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg apologized to affec…
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broadbandtvnews.comtechnology62 days ago
UK Regulator Ofcom Investigates Telegram for Potential Failures in Preventing Child Sexual Abuse Material
The UK media regulator Ofcom has initiated an investigation into the messaging app Telegram due to evidence suggesting the presence and sharing of child sexual abuse material on the platform. Telegram denied the accusations and stated it has measures in place to address such cont…
cointelegraph.comfinance65 days ago
EU Commission Announces Readiness of Online Age Verification Platform
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated that the EU's online age verification platform is ready for implementation. The platform, modeled after the EU's COVID certificate app, requires users to prove their age via an app linked to identification documents. Sever…
Wiredtechnology66 days ago
European Commission Releases Free Age Verification App for Online Platforms
The European Commission has introduced a free, open-source app designed to verify users' ages anonymously for accessing age-restricted online content. The app aims to help platforms comply with regulations to protect minors from harmful material. It is available for any company t…
Substrate placeholder — needs reviewpolitics67 days ago
Report: Explicit Content Recommended to Simulated 13-Year-Old X Accounts
A report by the Centre for Countering Digital Hate tested X's content policies using simulated UK-based 13-year-old accounts. The tests showed explicit material in search results and recommendations. The findings relate to compliance with the UK's Online Safety Act.
Substrate placeholder — needs reviewtechnology68 days ago
Roblox to Introduce Age-Based Account Types for Children and Teens in Early June
Roblox plans to launch Kids and Select account types in early June to create separate environments for users aged 5 to 15. These accounts will include automatic safety controls for content, chat, and parental oversight based on age groups. The changes aim to adjust experiences as…
Oberon Copeland @veryinformed.com (Unsplash)technology70 days ago
Roblox Announces Age-Locked Account Tiers for Users Under 16 Launching in June
Roblox is introducing Kids accounts for ages 5-8 and Select accounts for ages 9-15, with automatic progression to standard accounts at age 16. The tiers, launching in June, limit access to age-appropriate games and restrict communication features. The platform, with 144 million d…
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Substrate placeholder — needs reviewworld74 days ago
Dutch Police Launch Social Media Campaign to Identify Victims in International Sextortion Case
Dutch police have initiated a social media campaign to locate and assist girls and young women victimized in a sextortion case originating from a U.S. tip. The investigation has identified over 50 victims aged 13 to 20 across six countries, with the 22-year-old suspect on trial i…