United News of Bangladesh

Spain has announced plans to ban children under the age of 16 from using social media, joining a growing number of European countries seeking tighter online protections for minors. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez made the announcement at the World Governments Summit in Dubai on Tuesday, saying children must be shielded from what he called the “digital Wild West.” The proposed ban, which still requires approval from parliament, is part of a broader package of digital reforms. These include holding senior executives of social media companies legally responsible for illegal or harmful content shared on their platforms. Australia became the first country in the world to introduce such a ban last year, and several nations are now closely watching its outcome. France, Denmark and Austria have said they are considering similar age limits, while the UK government has launched a consultation on whether to restrict social media use for under-16s. Sánchez said social media exposes children to addiction, abuse, pornography, manipulation and violence, arguing that young users are being left alone in spaces they are not ready to navigate. Under the proposed Spanish law, platforms would be required to introduce strong and effective age verification systems, going beyond simple check boxes. The changes would also criminalise the manipulation of algorithms to boost illegal content and disinformation for profit. The prime minister said the government would no longer accept claims that technology is neutral, stressing that platforms and actors behind harmful content would be investigated. A new system would also be created to monitor how digital platforms fuel hate and social division, although details were not provided. Read More: UK to consult on possible social media ban for under-16s Spain also plans to investigate and prosecute crimes linked to platforms such as TikTok, Instagram and Grok, the AI tool linked to X. The European Commission and the UK have already launched investigations into Grok, while French authorities recently raided X’s offices as part of a cybercrime probe. Passing the law could prove challenging, as Sánchez’s left-wing coalition lacks a parliamentary majority. However, the main opposition People’s Party has expressed support, while the far-right Vox party has opposed the move. Reacting to the announcement, X owner Elon Musk criticised Sánchez, calling him a “tyrant and traitor.” Meanwhile, France continues to push for tougher rules, with President Emmanuel Macron aiming to ban social media for under-15s by the start of the next school year in September.   #With inputs from BBC

In a major policy reversal, the Australian government has announced that YouTube will be included among social media platforms prohibited for users less than 16 years of age, effective from December 10. The move overturns a previous exemption granted to the video-sharing platform when Parliament passed landmark legislation last November restricting under-16s from accessing platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat and X (formerly Twitter). Communications Minister Anika Wells on Wednesday released a list of services that will fall under the “age-restricted social media platforms” category. She confirmed YouTube’s inclusion, citing government research that found four in 10 Australian children reported experiencing harm on the platform. “We will not be intimidated by legal threats when this is a genuine fight for the wellbeing of Australian kids,” Wells told reporters. She said platforms that fail to take “reasonable steps” to exclude underage users could face fines of up to AUD 50 million (USD 33 million). YouTube to shut down trending page on July 21 While children will still be able to access YouTube content, they will no longer be allowed to hold their own accounts. YouTube’s parent company, Alphabet Inc., criticized the decision as a reversal of a prior public commitment. “Our position remains clear: YouTube is not social media, it is a video-sharing platform increasingly viewed on TV screens,” the company said in a statement, adding it would consult with the government on next steps. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Australia would push for international backing for the under-16 social media ban at a UN forum in New York in September, calling the issue a “common global experience.” Messaging, education, health, and gaming apps are excluded from the ban as they are deemed less harmful.