Screen time stories
Parents warned over secretive online ‘Com’ networks
2 days ago
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Parents are being urged to spot warning signs their children are being drawn into secretive online ‘Com’ networks linked to abuse.
myFirst expands kid-safe tech ecosystem with Circle app
3 days ago
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myFirst expands its kid-focused tech range and Circle app, offering smartphone-style features with tighter safety controls for families.
Aussie kids averaged over two hours a day on TikTok in 2025
4 days ago
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Australian children spent an average of 132 minutes a day on TikTok in 2025, topping global peers just before the under-16 social media ban.
BSI launches first global standard for online age checks
Last week
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BSI unveils the first global standard for online age checks, aiming to harmonise safety rules as countries consider tougher social media curbs.
Meta pushes parental control over NZ teen social media bans
Last week
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Meta promotes parental controls over teen social media bans at NZ Instagram safety camp as debate grows on under-16s’ online access.
Google launches age checks for young users in Singapore
Last week
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Google has begun using AI-powered age checks in Singapore, tightening default safety settings for under-18s on Search, Play, Maps and YouTube.
Will AI companions change how we think about pets?
Last week
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AI companions are edging into the mainstream, prompting doubts over whether digital pets could reshape - but not replace - traditional pet ownership.
Snap locks 415,000 teen accounts, urges app store age checks
Last week
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Snap locks 415,000 suspected under-16 Snapchat accounts in Australia and renews calls for stricter app store-level age checks.
Snapchat expands Family Centre with new teen controls
Last month
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Snapchat adds detailed screen-time and friend context tools to Family Centre, giving parents new teen safety insights without reading chats.
Five tech trends to reshape Australia’s digital future
Last month
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Australia’s digital economy heads for a 2026 reset as collaboration, AI literacy and sovereign cloud reshape work, data and family life.
Sparkli raises USD $5m for AI play-based learning app
Last month
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Zurich startup Sparkli exits stealth with USD $5m to launch a multimodal AI play-based learning app for children aged 5 to 12 worldwide.
Fears UK under-16 social media ban will hurt creators
Last month
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Plans for a UK under-16 social media ban spark warnings it could damage the creator economy while missing deeper online safety flaws.
YouTube sets 2026 agenda on creators, kids & AI tools
Last month
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YouTube sets 2026 agenda with tougher child safety tools, bigger creator payouts and expanded AI across production and viewing.
Parents turn to print to ease back-to-school stress
Last month
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Australian parents report rising back-to-school stress, with many turning to printed planners and checklists to cut screens and calm mornings.
Governments tighten social media age checks for children
Last month
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Governments worldwide tighten social media age checks for children, fuelling demand for privacy-friendly facial age estimation tools.
Generative AI search lifts mobile gaming ad opportunity
Last month
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As generative AI eats into web search time, LoopMe reports brands shifting spend to fast-growing, ad-friendly mobile gaming audiences.
Half of UK adults back social media ban for under-16s
Last month
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Over half of UK adults want under-16s barred from social media, as new polling exposes deep divides over children’s online access and safety.
Most UK parents back plans to cap kids’ social media use
Fri, 12th Dec 2025
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Two thirds of UK parents back government plans to cap children’s social media at two hours a day, new Uswitch research suggests.
To usher in a new online era, the industry must step up for Australia’s families too
Thu, 11th Dec 2025
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Australia’s new social media ban tests tech, parents and business to protect teens, demanding deeper digital literacy and safer algorithms.
NZ MPs unite over child social media safety push
Wed, 10th Dec 2025
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New Zealand MPs unite across party lines to back under-16 social media curbs after a shocking ‘Worst Children’s Library’ exhibit at Parliament.