Australia leads world in slaying social media ‘monster’
Australia will lead the world in cleaning up the mess that has made social media an urgent health crisis for children, a US expert says.
social issue
Pressure mounts on man tipped to lead Sunshine State
His party is well ahead in the polls but Queensland's likely-next premier is facing growing calls to clarify his stance on divisive social issues.
Acting PM saddened after bullying claims against staff
Australia's deputy prime minister has responded to bullying claims levelled by his former chief of staff against other people within the ministerial office.
Child support debts forcing mums to pursue violent exes
Women are being forced to chase their abusive former partners for child support payments by a system anti-violence campaigners say is failing.
Children would lie about their age to evade YouTube ban
A teenage media proprietor says young Australians need to know more about a proposed social media ban as it could impact their education.
Rolling the dice: kids aged 10 caught in gambling haze
One in three parents are worried about their teens gambling, with children aged under 10 among those treated for related health problems.
children
computing and information technology
internet
laws
online
science and technology
social issue
social issues (general)
social problems
technology (general)
Banning kids from social media could cause greater harm
Mental health experts don't support proposals to ban children from accessing social media and are warning it could have unintended consequences.
politics
professional - women general
safety of citizens
social issue
telecommunication equipment
telecommunication service
Dating protection boost as apps swipe right for safety
Online romantics are being promised a safer dating experience as popular apps work to comply with a code of conduct put in place to better protect users.
computing and information technology
internet
laws
online
politics (general)
safety of citizens
science and technology
social issue
social problems
technology (general)
Parent groups urge total ban on child social media use
No child should be allowed to access social media networks in Australia, an inquiry has heard, and parents would also benefit from a blanket ban.
Protesters wave Hezbollah flags at Australian rally
Attendees at an inner-city pro-Palestine rally have waved Hezbollah flags, prompting the a referral to the federal police.
The ‘invisible’ magic of Australia’s 2100 small schools
Small schools are the beating heart of many Australian rural towns but their benefits can be lost on policymakers, leaving families to fight for their future.
Footy and music fans hit by fake tickets ‘scam-demic’
Scammers are pivoting to footy tickets and breaking the hearts of diehard fans as new data shows where people are caught out most often.
‘Getting worse’: unsafe water plagues remote residents
Remote communities are excluded from data about Australia's water quality, which experts warn could be contributing to serious health issues.
Plan in train to stop violence against Indigenous women
A National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Family Safety Plan will be developed to address rates of violence against Indigenous women and children.
internet
laws
mass media
media
online
politics
politics (general)
social issue
social issues (general)
Social media misinformation to be policed by watchdog
The communications watchdog will be given new powers to crack down on misinformation on digital platforms under proposed federal laws.
X Corp says Twitter does not exist, fines should vanish
American legal experts have taken the stand in Federal Court as lawyers for the social network known as X argue it should not have to pay Twitter's fines.
Promise to improve wellbeing to prevent suicide scourge
Additional prevention measures and support for people at risk of suicide form part of a sweeping draft strategy aimed at eradicating the scourge.
computer crime
computing and information technology
crime, law and justice
internet
law enforcement
online
safety of citizens
social issue
technology (general)
X doesn’t mark the spot when it comes to Twitter fine
X Corp should not be responsible for fines issued to Twitter by the Australian eSafety Commissioner, its lawyers argued, as they are different companies.
Social media giants face big fines in plan to ban kids
South Australia's planned laws banning children under 14 from social media should be overseen by a federal regulator and implemented nationally, a report says.
abusive behaviour
breaking_news
children
crime, law and justice
politics
sexual assault
social issue
‘Horrific’ figures as DV services given funding boost
Frontline services supporting women and children fleeing domestic violence won't get an immediate funding boost, as Australian leaders agree to a new package.
Slowing growth impacts women’s financial equality
It remains two steps forward and one step back for women's financial equality with experts saying gender norms are fuelling the gap.
Meta’s latest news ban an error but maybe not next time
Facebook parent company Meta has told an inquiry it did not intend to block news stories from its platforms in August, but it is keeping its options open.
Trump to vote against Florida abortion rights amendment
Donald Trump says he will vote against a Florida abortion rights amendment even as his support among woman slides.
Online ‘satire’ driving division, distrust in society
Fake news loosely dressed as satire is making its creators a pretty penny at the expense of cohesion and trust in society, experts warn.
Next-level scammers move into the AI realm
Scams are becoming increasingly complex as criminals turn to artificial intelligence to create elaborate scams aimed at catching even the most experienced out.
Court’s landmark ‘trans women are women’ verdict lauded
The founder of a women-only app has been ordered to pay compensation for unlawfully discriminating against a transgender user as a landmark case concluded.
Calls for gambling ads ban to prevent gendered violence
A panel of experts tasked with urgently investigating Australia's gender-based violence crisis has recommended gambling advertising and alcohol restrictions.
‘Blood on his hands’: advocates slam NDIS reforms
Access and funding levels are set to change for people on disability support services after the government struck a controversial deal to revamp the NDIS.
Calls for family violence funding to be election issue
A report card on Australia's progress in ending gender-based violence concludes more funding is needed, especially in crisis areas.
breaking_news
children
computing and information technology
health and safety at work
internet
online
science and technology
social issue
technology (general)
teen-agers
Snapchat rejects Aussie calls to raise social media age
Lifting the age limit for children on social media platforms would leave existing users adrift, Snapchat's safety head says, and should be a family decision.
How a call helped an Aboriginal mum find connection
A Wiradjuri mother is sharing her experience with perinatal anxiety, as a national helpline reports increasing calls from Indigenous people.