Zuckerberg didn’t prioritise child safety: ex-engineer
A former engineer at Meta testified that the CEO was responsible for a culture that may have shirked its responsibility to protect children from harm.
children
Support cannot ‘disappear’ when homeless women housed
The number of homeless women and girls is on the rise, leading to calls for the federal government to show leadership as it develops two national strategies.
Meta rejects claims it sought to hook kids to platforms
Opening statements have been made in a pivotal trial for Meta where US states are seeking damages for social media harms to children.
Philippine student live-streamed fatal school shooting
The Philippines has been shocked by another school shooting in weeks, as a student videoed himself fatally shooting a classmate before killing himself.
‘Criminal gang’: fraud claims encircle acclaimed school
An academically acclaimed private school being probed over forced labour and abuse claims uses religion as a "camouflage" for fraud, inquiry witnesses claim.
Meta, others to face thousands of addiction lawsuits
An appeals court in the US has permitted thousands of lawsuits to move forward against Meta, Google, TikTok, Snapchat and other social media companies.
Control tactics, abuse ‘rife’ at church private school
Former students and church members have detailed disturbing claims of financial, psychological and social control at a religious private school.
Toy story: Barbie and Ken’s big, plastic body makeovers
For decades, Barbie and Ken had bodies you'd never find in the real world, but Australian researchers say the plastic power couple are finally human‑ish.
Thai school shooting toll rises after girl dies
The death toll from a school shooting in Thailand has risen to eight as a 12-year-old girl died a day after the attack horrified the nation.
Thai teen kills seven, then himself, in rampage
A 14-year-old boy has killed his grandparents before gunning down teachers and students in Thailand's second school shooting of 2026.
‘Your heart just sinks’: horror siege victim pregnant
Police were in "grave danger" before an officer rescued a toddler during a seven-hour siege that left two people dead, including a pregnant woman.
‘Line in sand’: record state-care kid numbers revealed
A state government has laid out its response to a child-safety inquiry report as data revealed a record number of kids in its residential care system.
‘Vindication’: apology for survivors of school abuse
Watching a state government apologise for widespread failings at public schools was surreal but validating, a victim-survivor of child sexual abuse says.
‘Viscerally sick’: child protection reforms under fire
A territory's child protection changes have been heavily criticised amid accusations a five-year-old Aboriginal girl's death has been politicised.
Damning report highlights red flags before girl’s death
Sweeping changes have been recommended for a child protection system after a review found safety threats were missed before a little girl's death.
New laws to force tech giants to unmask online trolls
Social media companies would be compelled to name and shame anonymous online abusers under state-first legal protections to help guard kids online.
System ‘fails’ youth on intimate partner violence
Young men are slipping through the intimate partner violence safety net because of a lack of programs targeting their needs, a roundtable has heard.
Childcare centres struggling with costs, falling demand
Mayfield Childcare has become the third ASX-listed early childhood centre in 2026 to highlight challenging conditions for the industry.
‘Failing us’: commissioner quits over child safety laws
A children's commissioner has resigned in protest over a territory's controversial child protection reforms.
Multiple child safety reports before little boy’s death
Families gathered at a local community pool to remember a little boy allegedly murdered by his mother, leaving behind a teddy bear and a small blue unicorn.
Man charged over live-streamed abuse of kids overseas
A man has been charged with a number of offences after being accused of paying for live online child abuse following a tip off from United States authorities.
‘Depraved’ childcare worker, ex-cop gets long jail term
The "dual life" of a childcare worker who sexually exploited kids and produced child abuse material has been revealed, as he learns his fate in court.
‘Big tech wants this to fail’: beef-up for social ban
Tougher laws will be introduced to address widespread non-compliance with Australia's world-first social media age restrictions.
Deepfake AIs shut down as beefed-up social ban looms
More platforms that generate naked images of real people have been pulled offline in Australia in the lead up to a potential ban on the services.
Israel targeted Gaza children resulting in genocide: UN
A UN commission of inquiry says Israel has deliberately targeted Palestinian children, resulting in genocide.
Teen either ‘troubled kid’ or terror plotter, jury told
A teenager's motive when experimenting with homemade explosives was a key issue in deciding if he was preparing for a terrorist attack, a jury has heard.
‘Carry his loss’: family mourn son, drunk driver jailed
A speeding, drunk driver has been jailed for 14 years over a horror crash that killed a nine-year-old boy and serious injured his dad as they rode an e-bike.
‘Large, lethal’: teen wanted bomb matching US attack
A teen accused of planning a terrorist attack wanted a large device matching something as "destructive" as the Oklahoma City bombing, a jury has heard.
Family blamed video games for teen killer’s violence
The mother of a teenager who killed a child while in the grips of psychosis didn't believe in mental illness, an inquest has been told.
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computing and information technology
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science and technology
Britain to ban under 16s from social media
Prime Minister Keir Starmer says Britain will ban under-16s from using various social media apps.
‘I cannot escape’: mother’s anguish at abusive carer
A mother remains racked with guilt years after learning her child was abused by a childcare worker in an out-of-school care centre.