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Amazon Web Services experienced a significant outage originating from its Virginia data center region, affecting hundreds of online services including social media, gaming, and financial platforms. The outage lasted over 15 hours, highlighting the risks of high cloud infrastructure concentration and its widespread impact.
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Denmark plans to restrict social media for children under 15, with some parental exemptions from age 13. The move aims to address concerns over youth mental health and online safety, following similar measures in Australia. Legislation is expected to pass after months of debate, with enforcement relying on digital ID and age verification systems.
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Meta has announced it will restrict access for Australian users aged 13-15 starting December 4, ahead of a new law requiring social media platforms to exclude under-16s. The law, effective December 10, aims to protect minors but raises concerns over privacy and effectiveness.
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Australia will enforce a law from December 10 that bans social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitch from allowing users under 16. The law aims to protect minors from online harm, with penalties up to A$49.5 million for non-compliance. Twitch plans to deactivate underage accounts from January 9.
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Australia plans to enforce a ban on social media accounts for users under 16 starting December 10, aiming to protect children from online harms. The government is reviewing mechanisms used in other countries, including Malaysia, to implement age restrictions and ensure platform compliance.
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Malaysia's government is reviewing measures to restrict social media access for under-16s, inspired by Australia's upcoming ban at age 16. The move aims to protect youths from online harms like cyberbullying and scams, with plans to implement electronic age verification methods next year.
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On December 10, 2025, Australia enforced a pioneering law banning users under 16 from major social media platforms including TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. Platforms must block new and existing underage accounts or face fines up to A$49.5 million. The law aims to protect youth mental health amid concerns over cyberbullying and addictive design, though it faces legal challenges and practical enforcement issues.
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The European Parliament has approved a non-binding resolution calling for an EU-wide ban on social media access for children under 16, with stricter limits for those under 13. The move aims to address concerns over mental health and addictive design features, amid ongoing debates and Australia's upcoming social media ban for under-16s.
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Russian authorities have expanded restrictions on messaging apps, citing their use for terrorism and fraud. Snapchat, FaceTime, WhatsApp, and Roblox face bans or limitations amid ongoing internet controls aimed at curbing Ukrainian drone attacks and increasing surveillance. Disruptions impact daily life and privacy.
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Russian authorities have announced bans on Snapchat and Apple’s FaceTime, accusing both of facilitating terrorist activities, recruitment, and crimes. The moves follow a series of restrictions on social media and messaging platforms since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, intensifying government control over online communication.
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Recent reports highlight widespread use of AI chatbots for emotional support among UK teenagers, especially those affected by violence. Experts warn about dependency, safety concerns, and the need for regulation, amid cases of harm and suicide linked to AI interactions.
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New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed a law requiring social media platforms to display warnings about addictive features, aligning with efforts in other states and countries to protect youth mental health. The law targets platforms with addictive feeds, autoplay, and infinite scroll, with penalties for violations. It applies within New York state boundaries.
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As of January 2026, the UK government is actively considering a ban on social media access for under-16s, inspired by Australia's recent legislation. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Health Secretary Wes Streeting have expressed support for exploring all options, including age restrictions and limiting addictive app features. The Conservative Party, led by Kemi Badenoch, has pledged to implement such a ban if elected. The government plans to respond to public consultations by summer 2026.
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Since December 10, 2025, Australia has enforced a landmark ban preventing under-16s from holding accounts on major social media platforms. Over 4.7 million accounts have been deactivated or restricted across 10 platforms, including Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube. TikTok is also rolling out AI age-detection tech in Europe to identify under-13 users. The ban has sparked debate on child safety, privacy, and platform compliance.