Screen time stories

BSI unveils the first global standard for online age checks, aiming to harmonise safety rules as countries consider tougher social media curbs.

Meta promotes parental controls over teen social media bans at NZ Instagram safety camp as debate grows on under-16s’ online access.

Google has begun using AI-powered age checks in Singapore, tightening default safety settings for under-18s on Search, Play, Maps and YouTube.

AI companions are edging into the mainstream, prompting doubts over whether digital pets could reshape - but not replace - traditional pet ownership.

Snap locks 415,000 suspected under-16 Snapchat accounts in Australia and renews calls for stricter app store-level age checks.

Snapchat adds detailed screen-time and friend context tools to Family Centre, giving parents new teen safety insights without reading chats.

Australia’s digital economy heads for a 2026 reset as collaboration, AI literacy and sovereign cloud reshape work, data and family life.

Zurich startup Sparkli exits stealth with USD $5m to launch a multimodal AI play-based learning app for children aged 5 to 12 worldwide.

Plans for a UK under-16 social media ban spark warnings it could damage the creator economy while missing deeper online safety flaws.

YouTube sets 2026 agenda with tougher child safety tools, bigger creator payouts and expanded AI across production and viewing.

Australian parents report rising back-to-school stress, with many turning to printed planners and checklists to cut screens and calm mornings.

Governments worldwide tighten social media age checks for children, fuelling demand for privacy-friendly facial age estimation tools.

As generative AI eats into web search time, LoopMe reports brands shifting spend to fast-growing, ad-friendly mobile gaming audiences.

Over half of UK adults want under-16s barred from social media, as new polling exposes deep divides over children’s online access and safety.

Two thirds of UK parents back government plans to cap children’s social media at two hours a day, new Uswitch research suggests.

Australia’s new social media ban tests tech, parents and business to protect teens, demanding deeper digital literacy and safer algorithms.

New Zealand MPs unite across party lines to back under-16 social media curbs after a shocking ‘Worst Children’s Library’ exhibit at Parliament.

Teenagers remember history better when they handwrite notes, with AI chatbots boosting curiosity but not matching pen-on-paper learning.

Most Australians support banning social media for under-16s but doubt the ban's effectiveness, favouring a mix of restrictions and education instead.

Over 2.5 million UK workers took part in Techtimeout Tuesday, urging an hourly screen break to improve wellbeing and productivity at work.