young users

The first US trial against TikTok is set to test claims that the platform fueled a teen mental health crisis. The case will examine whether the app's design and algorithms contributed to harm among young users, and its outcome could shape the wave of similar lawsuits and regulatory pressure facing social media companies in the United States.

News is circulating that the Indian government is planning to block people under 18 from opening social media accounts. The report, shared widely on Indian tech and news circles, has drawn attention to potential age verification rules and their impact on young users. No official government statement confirming the policy has been cited so far, leaving details of the proposal and its timeline unclear.

A photograph showing Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan on Dongshan Island, Fujian province, in 1987 is being widely shared. The image dates from decades before Xi became China's top leader, when he was a young provincial official. Social media users are sharing the archival picture, with many commenting on how long the couple have been together and on the glimpse it offers of Xi's early career.

Researchers at the University of Southern California collaborated on a study published in JAMA Pediatrics offering one of the first assessments of how different social media platforms expose teenagers to distinct types of harm. The findings suggest that online risks are not uniform, and that platform-specific features shape what dangers young users encounter, a point likely to feed ongoing debates about regulating social media for minors.

A Norwegian science news report describes a study finding that children and teenagers aged 9 to 18 increasingly turn to AI assistants instead of Google for information and answers. Researchers say the shift is happening fast, but the effects on how young people learn, judge sources and handle misinformation are not yet known, prompting calls for closer attention from educators and parents.

Instinct, a startup building AI agents, has raised $1 billion in funding at a $10 billion valuation. The round places the young company among the most highly valued players in the fast-growing AI agent sector, where investors have been pouring capital into firms developing autonomous software that can complete tasks on behalf of users. The deal adds to a string of large funding rounds for AI startups this year.

Australia is moving to restrict social media use, particularly among young people, as part of a broader regulatory crackdown on major platforms. Analysts are now asking whether Apple stands to gain from the shift, as users spend more time on devices and services rather than social networks. The discussion highlights how tighter platform regulation could reshape where attention and advertising money flow.

The Straits Times examines what happens when AI chatbots give harmful or inappropriate advice to children. The piece highlights the risks young users face when relying on chatbots for guidance, adding to a growing global debate about child safety in the age of generative AI and the need for stronger safeguards.

WhatsApp has introduced optional parental controls aimed at teenagers, allowing parents to manage settings on their children's accounts. Announced via a BBC report, the feature is being discussed among parents and technology observers as part of a wider push by social media companies to give families more oversight of young users' online activity. Details on how the controls work and what data they give parents remain limited in early coverage.

A push-up variation associated with boxer Mike Tyson, demonstrated by BJP politician Tejasvi Surya, is drawing attention online. Fitness coverage has broken down the technique, the muscles it targets and the precautions needed, with commentators discussing its difficulty and whether it can be safely attempted by ordinary exercisers.

A study from the Behavioural Insights Team finds that social media recommendation algorithms amplify right-wing political content for young users, even when it does not match their stated preferences. The research is circulating again online as people debate how much platform design, rather than user choice, shapes the political content teenagers encounter and the wider effect on young people's political views.

Freckle has launched a phone designed for children that blocks internet access entirely and instead encourages kids to spend time outdoors. The device is being presented as a screen-time alternative aimed at parents worried about social media and online exposure. Coverage highlights its stripped-back approach as part of a growing push for minimalist phones for young users.

The European Commission has put forward the EU KIDS Act, a package of measures aimed at helping children navigate the online world more safely. The proposal covers privacy protections and online safety rules for young users, and is drawing attention from digital rights and child safety communities as debate grows over how platforms should treat minors.

An online appeal is circulating for Hilen, a young man raising funds for himself and his sister to attend university. Supporters say donations have stopped and the family is also dealing with health problems. The watermelon symbol in the appeal suggests it is linked to Gaza-related fundraising efforts, and users are being urged to share the donation link.

Mark Zuckerberg is set to testify again about social media addiction following a new court ruling. The Meta CEO previously appeared before Congress and in litigation over claims that the company's platforms are designed to be addictive, particularly for young users. The ruling allows renewed questioning, keeping the legal pressure on Meta over its handling of youth safety and platform design.