Meta has reported removing nearly 550,000 accounts belonging to users under 16 across its platforms in response to Australia’s Online Safety Amendment Act 2024, which went into effect in December. The social media ban restricts access to platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Threads. While complying with the law, Meta is urging the Australian government to collaborate with the industry for a more effective solution. The company suggests incentivizing the industry to improve safety standards and implement age verification tools to protect young users across all apps, thereby avoiding the need for blanket bans.
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In a renewed effort to safeguard children, France is considering a ban on social media access for children under 15, with the draft law aiming for implementation by September of next year. The proposed legislation, backed by President Emmanuel Macron, addresses concerns about the various risks associated with excessive screen time, including exposure to inappropriate content and cyber-harassment. The draft law includes two articles, one prohibiting online platforms from providing social media services to those under 15 and the other banning mobile phone use in secondary schools. This follows Australia’s recent social media ban on under 16s.
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Here’s a concise summary based on the prompt’s context, assuming the original article details video editing permissions:
The video is authorized for editing. This permission grants the ability to modify, rearrange, and alter the original content. Such edits may include but are not limited to adding effects, trimming segments, or incorporating other media. Users with this authorization are therefore empowered to produce a derivative version of the given video.
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During a Christmas Eve tradition, President Trump spoke with children calling the North American Aerospace Defense Command (Norad) to track Santa’s progress. While asking children about their Christmas wishes, Trump told one caller that coal was “clean and beautiful,” a phrase he often used in his campaign to revive domestic coal production. The president’s comment came after the child said she did not want coal for Christmas. Ultimately, the child stated that she would prefer a Barbie doll, clothes, and candy over coal.
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During a presidential tradition, President Trump took calls from children tracking Santa Claus via NORAD. While speaking from Mar-a-Lago, the President assured children of Santa’s goodness and offered political commentary, including praise for Oklahoma and Pennsylvania. He also described Santa’s appearance, and when speaking to the First Lady, he was met with focused silence. Despite the president’s eagerness to continue, the calls eventually concluded, with the First Lady waiting for her own phone call.
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A recent amendment proposed by a cross-party group of House of Lords Peers seeks to ban children in the UK from using VPNs. If enacted, VPN providers would be obligated to implement stringent age verification measures for all UK users, and the government would establish a monitoring regime to enforce compliance. This proposal aims to prevent children from circumventing age verification under the Online Safety Act. While supported by various Lords members, the amendment’s future remains uncertain as it requires approval from both the House of Lords and the House of Commons before becoming law.
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Social media companies have expressed strong opposition to Australia’s new regulations, arguing the ban could harm children by limiting their access and connectivity. Tech giants like Meta, Snapchat, and YouTube have voiced concerns, citing potential negative impacts on youth and parental control. However, former Facebook Australia chief Stephen Scheeler views the legislation as a “seat belt moment,” akin to safety advancements in other industries, suggesting that even imperfect regulation is preferable to the previous lack of oversight due to the negative aspects.
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A devastating drone strike in Kalogi, South Kordofan, Sudan, reportedly targeted a kindergarten, resulting in the deaths of at least 50 individuals, including 33 children. Accusations for the Thursday attack were levied against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) by a medical organization and the army, though the RSF has not commented. In response, the RSF accused the army of a subsequent drone attack in Darfur. This tragic incident underscores the ongoing civil war in Sudan, which began in April 2023 between the RSF and the army.
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During a White House address, President Trump referenced the Bible’s emphasis on caring for vulnerable children, sparking immediate criticism. Critics highlighted the administration’s legal efforts to halt payments to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which provides food assistance to over 16 million children. These efforts included appeals to the Supreme Court to block SNAP funding, actions that were eventually dropped after the government shutdown ended. Following the temporary funding bill, the USDA has directed states to ensure full November benefits are promptly distributed to SNAP recipients.
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In Chicago, residents have reported alarming encounters with federal agents conducting immigration enforcement, often resulting in the use of chemical agents. On October 25th, a mother and her daughter were exposed to tear gas during an immigration operation, causing distress and requiring medical attention. These operations, part of “Operation Midway Blitz,” have sparked outrage and prompted a federal judge to question the aggressive tactics employed by agents. This has resulted in the use of agents in residential areas and near schools, leading to local officials and residents expressing concerns about the safety and impact of these actions on their communities.
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John Q. Hosedrinker