The Australian government plans to introduce legislation requiring social media platforms and online game publishers to restrict access for children under a specific age, likely 16. This includes popular platforms like Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram, as well as games like Fortnite, Overwatch 2, Roblox, and Minecraft.
To address the alarmingly low helmet compliance among school-going children in Chennai, the Greater Chennai Traffic Police (GCTP) have launched a campaign, distributing free helmets to students. While helmet compliance among adult riders has reached 90%, a study revealed that only 6.5% of children wear helmets, with many using non-ISI-marked helmets. The GCTP emphasizes the importance of prioritizing children’s safety and urges parents to ensure their children wear helmets while riding.
The US Senate has passed a major social media safety package aimed at protecting children online, requiring tech companies to implement stricter safeguards against harmful content. The Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) and the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) passed with overwhelming bipartisan support, but face an uncertain future in the House of Representatives. The legislation, which has been backed by tech giants like Microsoft, X, and Snap, aims to establish a ‘duty of care’ for online platforms, mandating the removal of harmful content such as sexual exploitation, bullying, and promotion of suicide and eating disorders. However, free speech groups have raised concerns about potential censorship, arguing that the definition of harm is too broad. COPPA aims to strengthen privacy standards for minors and outlaw targeted advertising towards children and teens.
In response to the alarming number of children becoming victims of gang-related shootings in South Africa, Gun Free SA, an anti-gun charity, has proposed installing bulletproof cubes in playgrounds as a temporary measure. These cubes, equipped with CCTV, panic buttons, and a hotline to summon police, aim to provide a safe haven for children during gunfire. Despite the high cost, these playgrounds are seen as a necessary measure to protect children from the ongoing gun violence plaguing communities.
The European Union (EU) has escalated its pressure on TikTok, demanding information about its new app, TikTok Lite, and warning of potential suspension of addictive features that pose risks to children. The EU is concerned that the app, which rewards users for watching videos, may contain features that encourage excessive usage and harm young users.
