Latest Online safety News
Australia's parliament considers legislation banning social media for under 16s
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Australia’s communications minister introduced a world-first law into Parliament on Thursday that would ban children under 16 from social media, saying online safety was one of parents’ toughest challenges. Michelle Rowland said TikTok, Facebook,...
Australia will require social media platforms to act to prevent online harm to users
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Australia plans to require social media platforms to act to prevent online harms to users such as bullying, predatory behavior and algorithms pushing destructive content, the government said Thursday. “The Digital Duty of Care will place the onus on...
Michigan man sentenced to 30 years in prison for role in online child exploitation ring
DETROIT (AP) — A Michigan man who admitted to exploiting a girl was sentenced Thursday to 30 years in federal prison in an investigation of a sinister online community that pressures children into committing acts of self-harm and creating sexual abuse images. Richard Densmore ran...
A man who abused up to 3,500 girls online has been sentenced for crimes including manslaughter
LONDON (AP) — A “relentless and cruel” online predator who blackmailed girls around the world was sentenced to at least 20 years in prison on Friday after being convicted of the manslaughter of a victim who took her own life. Prosecutors say 26-year-old Alexander McCartney,...
Biden calls the landmark Violence Against Women Act his proudest legislative achievement
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden said Thursday joined scores of advocates and survivors of domestic abuse to mark the 30th anniversary of the landmark Violence Against Women Act, a law he wrote and championed as a U.S. senator because he wanted to “change the culture of America” around...
Australia proposes legal minimum age for children accessing social media
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — The Australian government on Tuesday promised to legislate this year to enforce a minimum age for children to access social media, but it has yet to announce how ages will be verified. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the government would soon trial...
New Mexico's attorney general files a suit saying Snapchat allows child sexual extortion
AP Technology Writer (AP) — New Mexico's attorney general has filed a lawsuit against the company behind Snapchat, alleging that site's design and policies foster the sharing of child sexual abuse material and facilitate child sexual exploitation. Attorney General Raúl Torrez...
