Discover the details of Meta's massive $18 billion child privacy lawsuit settlement. Learn how new platform restrictions will impact young users worldwide.

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The post Meta Settles Child Privacy Lawsuit Rapidly appeared first on Daily CyberSecurity.

Meta must pay $567 million and change Facebook and Instagram protections for minors under a New Mexico court order it plans to appeal.

The post Meta Ordered to Pay $567M and Overhaul Teen Safety on Facebook, Instagram appeared first on TechRepublic.

Apple briefly removed Telegram from the App Store over reported CSAM, highlighting moderation failures and the distribution power held by app-store operators.

The post Apple Briefly Removes Telegram From App Store Over Reported CSAM Violation appeared first on TechRepublic.

Google plans to expand its Play Age Signals API globally, helping Android developers tailor app experiences without collecting exact birth dates.

The post Google Plans Global Rollout of Privacy-Focused Age Signals API appeared first on TechRepublic.

France will ban social media for children under 15, requiring nationwide age checks and raising privacy and platform compliance concerns.

The post France Bans Social Media for Under-15s, Requires Age Checks appeared first on TechRepublic.

This week on the Lock and Code podcast…

There is a lot going on right now regarding the safety of kids online.

In the United States, the majority of state legislatures have passed age verification laws requiring a variety of websites to more rigorously verify the age of their visitors. In the United Kingdom, Canada, Norway, Spain, and Germany, lawmakers are considering bans on social media access for anyone under the age of 16—Australia passed its ban in 2025. In schools across the world, smartphones have been removed from classrooms, hallways, and cafeterias. And online, some of the most popular apps and video games with children, such as Discord and Roblox, have implemented default restrictions on what young users can find and who they reach.

But all this activity comes after rising crises at home, as an increasing number of behavioral researchers connect increased social media use with increased rates of depression, isolation, and suicidal thoughts. So, until real, societal change takes place, what is a concerned parent to do?

That’s what we’re trying to answer today.

Today, on the Lock and Code podcast with host David Ruiz, we bring back Anna Brading, editor-in-chief of Malwarebytes Labs and director of content and, perhaps most importantly, mother of three. With a long career in cybersecurity—and an equally long time spent reading, writing, and assigning some of the cybersecurity world’s most pressing headlines—Brading has a unique perspective on what is most dangerous to her children online.

Brading’s list of priorities is long, and includes improper image use, “online nastiness,” and Roblox, but she has a few rules and guidelines to help. She sets a one-hour-a-day video game limit on the weekends, restricts YouTube to a communal and monitored activity, and requests that no one share photos of her children online without her express permission. Importantly, she also reminds parents to trust their guts.

“If the norm now is mental health issues or online grooming or non-consensual porn or constant comparison, then I’m okay without my kids fitting in. I would say be radical, buck the trend, don’t do what everybody else is doing. Say no to things you don’t feel comfortable with.”

Tune in today to listen to the full conversation.

Show notes and credits:

Intro Music: “Spellbound” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Outro Music: “Good God” by Wowa (unminus.com)

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Listen up—Malwarebytes doesn’t just talk cybersecurity, we provide it.

Protect yourself from online attacks that threaten your identity, your files, your system, and your financial well-being with our exclusive offer for Malwarebytes Premium for Lock and Code listeners.

The UK government has announced plans to introduce a UK social media ban for under-16s, preventing children from accessing major platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, YouTube and X under a sweeping package of online safety reforms. The measures, expected to be brought before Parliament later this year and enforced from Spring 2027, would make Britain one of the toughest countries in the world when it comes to regulating children's access to social media. The proposal is part of a wider government effort to strengthen online child safety and address growing concerns about the impact of social media algorithms, harmful content and excessive screen time on young users. Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the move as a "line in the sand," arguing that technology companies have failed to do enough to protect children online. "Parents want to keep their kids safe and happy, but the online world has made that harder than ever," Starmer said. "That's why we're going further than any country in the world by banning social media for under-16s and putting wider protections in place to give kids their childhood back."

UK Social Media Ban for Under-16s to Cover Major Platforms

The proposed UK social media ban for under-16s will apply to user-to-user platforms that allow users to interact and share content through algorithm-driven feeds. Platforms expected to fall under the restrictions include TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, YouTube and X. Messaging services such as WhatsApp and Signal are not expected to be included. Alongside the ban, the government plans to introduce new restrictions on features considered particularly risky for young users. These include livestreaming functions and communication between children and strangers across a wider range of digital services, including some gaming platforms. The government is also considering additional safeguards, including overnight access limits and measures designed to interrupt infinite scrolling for users under 18.

AI Chatbots Also Under Scrutiny

The reforms extend beyond social media platforms. Under the proposed rules, AI-powered "romantic companion" chatbots that simulate intimate or sexual relationships will be required to enforce a minimum age of 18. Similar intimate AI functions will also face restrictions for users under the age of 18. Officials say the broader approach reflects how children increasingly encounter online risks across multiple digital services rather than solely through social media platforms.

Global Momentum Builds Behind Social Media Age Restrictions

Britain's announcement comes amid growing international support for tighter social media age restrictions. Earlier this year, Spain announced plans to prohibit social media access for children under 16. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez described the internet as a "digital Wild West" and said stronger protections were needed to shield young people from online harm. France has also moved in a similar direction. In February, French lawmakers approved legislation banning children under 15 from accessing social media platforms. The measure is expected to take effect at the start of the next school year. French President Emmanuel Macron strongly backed the proposal, stating that children's development should not be dictated by algorithms designed to maximize engagement. The developments have fueled debate over whether age-based restrictions could become a standard approach to child online protection across Europe and beyond.

Australia's Experience Highlights Enforcement Challenges

While support for restrictions is growing, Australia's experience shows that enforcement remains a major challenge. The Australia social media ban, introduced under Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, requires platforms to block users under 16 or face fines of up to AU$32 million. However, recent research suggests many children continue to access restricted platforms despite the rules. A study conducted by the Molly Rose Foundation and YouthInsight found that more than 60% of children aged 12 to 15 who previously used social media still had access to at least one account. The survey of 1,050 young people showed that 53% of former TikTok users, 53% of YouTube users and 52% of Instagram users remained active after the restrictions were introduced. Researchers also found evidence that some children created new accounts after the ban came into effect, raising questions about the effectiveness of current age verification systems.

Age Assurance Measures Key to Enforcement

To improve compliance, the UK government plans to introduce stronger age assurance measures and has tasked Ofcom with conducting a rapid review of age-verification technologies. The regulator will also review its enforcement capabilities, while ministers have pledged additional funding to support implementation of both the proposed regulations and existing provisions under the Online Safety Act. The announcement follows a national consultation that attracted more than 116,000 responses from parents, children and experts. According to government figures, nine in ten parents support a ban on social media access for children under 16. If approved, the reforms will mark one of the most significant changes to Britain's digital safety framework and could further accelerate a global shift toward stricter regulation of children's online experiences.

AI tools may better protect children online by detecting harmful content without the privacy risks of strict age verification laws.

The post Making the Internet Safer for Children: The Case for Automated, Privacy-Preserving Solutions appeared first on Security Boulevard.