children

The Israeli military has published footage it says shows a Palestinian child transporting weapons in the central Gaza Strip. According to the IDF, an operative used the child as a human shield to move the weapons through the area. The claim is drawing attention amid the ongoing conflict and continuing debate over the conduct of armed groups and the risks faced by children in Gaza.

France's pharmacists' union is warning about an early spike in Covid cases and is calling on the government to move forward the vaccination campaign scheduled for mid-October. Hospital data shows emergency room visits jumping 67% among adults and 16% among children, fuelling concerns that the autumn wave has arrived sooner than expected and that current planning leaves people exposed in the meantime.

Climate activist Greta Thunberg and the group Aurora have filed a new lawsuit against Sweden, arguing the state has failed to protect children from the consequences of climate change. The case renews a legal campaign against Swedish climate policy and is drawing attention to the growing use of courts to hold governments accountable for emissions targets.

An Australian tutoring company is telling parents to save their money and use AI tools to help their children learn instead of paying for tutoring. The unusual advice, reported by the Australian Financial Review, has sparked debate about whether artificial intelligence can replace human tutors and what it signals about the future of the private tutoring industry.

Israeli historian Ilan Pappé has published an analysis arguing that the October 2023 Al-Aqsa Flood attack was, in his words, "a breakout from the ghetto" by Palestinians who had endured thousands of deaths, tens of thousands of injuries among women and children, and mass home losses, particularly since the 2014 Gaza war. The piece is being widely shared as debate continues over the attack's roots and Israel's response.

India has proposed banning junk food sales in school canteens and within 50 meters of schools, a move aimed at curbing rising obesity and diabetes rates among children. The proposal, reported by Reuters, marks a tightening of rules around food sold in and around educational institutions, and is drawing attention to concerns over children's health and diet.

A Norwegian ScienceTech News report cites a study finding that children and teenagers aged 9 to 18 are moving away from Google search and turning to AI chatbots for information instead. Researchers reportedly say the consequences of this shift are not yet known, raising questions about how young people evaluate answers from generative AI compared with traditional search results.

A jury has found Kouri Richins, a Utah mother and author, guilty of fatally poisoning her husband with fentanyl. The verdict concludes a case that drew national attention, as Richins had written a children's book about grief after her husband's 2022 death. Prosecutors argued she deliberately administered the lethal dose. She now faces sentencing following the conviction.

Professors say the race among parents to give their children an edge in school and life has intensified to a degree they have not seen before. The observation points to rising pressure around admissions, enrichment activities and achievement, with academics warning that intense competition may take a toll on both children and families.

The European Union is moving to restrict social media use for children under 15. The proposal would set a bloc-wide minimum age for platforms such as Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat, part of growing EU efforts to protect minors online. Officials argue age limits are needed to address risks to children's mental health and safety, though enforcement and the response of major platforms remain key questions.

Birmingham has recorded 81 measles cases as an outbreak continues to spread across the city, according to a map of confirmed infections published by the Birmingham Mail. Health officials are urging residents, particularly children and unvaccinated people, to check their MMR vaccination status as the highly contagious virus circulates in local communities.

TikTok has agreed to pay Alabama $100 million to settle a lawsuit alleging the company designed its platform to be addictive, particularly for young users. The settlement marks another legal setback for the social media company as US states continue pressing tech firms over the mental health effects of their products on children and teenagers.

A new Mental Health Matters column in the Dayton Daily News outlines steps companies, parents and users can take to protect children from the potential harms of artificial intelligence. The piece focuses on practical safeguards and shared responsibility as AI tools become a growing part of young people's daily lives and mental health conversations.

Schools across London are facing a sharp fall in pupil numbers, leaving classrooms and places unfilled as the city's child population shrinks. Falling birth rates and families moving out of the capital are driving the decline, forcing schools to cut staff or merge, with funding tied directly to headcount.

A psychiatrist has cautioned parents against sending young children away to boarding school, saying it puts 'underdeveloped brains together' without adult guidance at a crucial stage of development. The comments have sparked debate among parents and educators about boarding school culture and its emotional impact on children.

US Citizenship and Immigration Services has issued guidance defining exactly when an immigrant applicant is considered 'under 21 years of age', resolving a question with major consequences for age-out rules in family and employment-based visa categories. The clarification matters because children who turn 21 can lose eligibility to immigrate alongside their parents, making the precise cutoff date critical for thousands of pending cases. Immigration observers are weighing how the new interpretation will affect applicants near the threshold.

TikTok has reached an agreement with Alabama, days before a scheduled trial, under which it must implement changes for teenagers in the state. These include a two-hour daily time limit, pauses after 15 minutes of continuous use, and stricter age verification checks. The deal is drawing attention as part of wider US scrutiny of social media's effects on young users, with some questioning why parents cannot set the limits themselves.

A pediatrician column published by the Jacksonville Journal-Courier addresses dangerous social media challenges and why children find them appealing. It aims to help parents understand the psychology behind kids' participation and how to talk to them about the risks. The topic continues to draw attention from health professionals concerned about viral stunts harming young people.

A side event at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva has drawn attention to the human rights situation of Tibetan children. Organisers raised concerns over conditions facing Tibetan minors, including education policy and family separation. The event was highlighted by the Central Tibetan Administration, which continues to advocate internationally on behalf of Tibetans and press for scrutiny of rights conditions in Tibetan areas.

Nigeria has started a review of its Child Rights Act, the landmark law adopted in 2003 to protect children's rights, including education, health and protection from exploitation and abuse. After more than two decades, officials and child-rights advocates are examining whether the legislation still reflects current realities, enforcement gaps and the challenges facing Nigerian children today.