TikTok announces new global restrictions on beauty filters for users aged 13-18, following new UK and EU regulations aimed at protecting young people from the harmful effects of unrealistic beauty standards promoted online. The platform is also enhancing age verification measures to prevent underage users from accessing the app.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, after months of separate appearances, reunited for a video message addressing online child protection at a UN conference in Colombia. Their statement highlights the urgent need for action against digital violence targeting children, signaling a renewed focus on their shared cause. The appearance comes amidst reports of the couple’s changing dynamic and potential adjustments to their professional collaborations.
Turkey has banned the popular communication platform Discord, citing concerns over child sexual abuse and obscenity. The ban follows a court ruling and public outrage over recent incidents involving the platform. This move is part of a broader global trend of increased scrutiny on social media platforms for their role in protecting children online.
The Women and Child Development Minister of the Narendra Modi government, Annapurna Devi, has sharply criticized the West Bengal government for its alleged failure to implement essential safety measures for women and children. In a letter to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Devi highlighted the state’s shortcomings in addressing issues related to women’s safety, particularly the lack of operational Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) and the non-integration of emergency helplines.
The Indian central government has criticized the West Bengal government for failing to implement crucial safety measures for women and children, including the operationalization of Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) allocated for addressing sexual offenses and the establishment of emergency helplines.
The Indian Ministry of Education has issued comprehensive guidelines for school safety, emphasizing a ‘Zero Tolerance Policy’ towards lapses in child safety. These guidelines, mandated by the Supreme Court, aim to create a secure environment for students, with clear accountability for school management and staff.
The Senate overwhelmingly approved a bill aimed at safeguarding children from dangerous online content, marking the first significant congressional effort in decades to hold tech companies accountable for the harms their platforms may cause. The bill, championed by parents of children who suffered from online bullying or other harm, would require companies to implement measures to prevent harm on platforms frequently used by minors.
The Pennsylvania House of Representatives has approved a bill aimed at regulating how online social media platforms interact with children, despite concerns that its provisions are similar to those in state laws being blocked in federal courts or before the U.S. Supreme Court. The bill, which passed nearly along party lines, would require social media platforms to allow users to report “hateful conduct,” get parental consent from users under 18, and prohibit “data mining” of users under 18. The bill faces an uncertain future in the Republican-controlled state Senate, and the nation’s highest court may soon decide whether state-level provisions like the ones in the bill can be enforced.
The UK’s media regulator, Ofcom, is investigating OnlyFans for failing to implement adequate safeguards to prevent underage users from accessing pornographic content on the platform. Concerns have arisen about the completeness and accuracy of information provided by OnlyFans’ parent company, Fenix International Limited, in response to Ofcom’s requests. Despite using age-assurance measures, a reporting error with the provider, Yoti, may have compromised their effectiveness. The company claims the threshold was always above the legal age of 18, and has since rectified the issue. Ofcom is conducting the investigation under existing regulations (Communications Act 2003), as new rules under the Online Safety Act will take effect later this year.
The Child Protection Welfare Bureau (CPWB) has proposed a landmark Child Marriage Restraint Bill, aiming to raise the minimum marriage age for girls in Punjab to 18 years. The bill aims to combat the alarmingly high prevalence of child marriage in the province, with 18% of women aged 20-24 wed before turning 18. The modernized bill replaces the outdated Child Marriage Restraint Act of 1929, prioritizing the health, safety, and well-being of young girls.
