In a recent move, Instagram has announced that it will alert parents of underage users who repeatedly search for self-harm or suicide-related content. This policy will initially be implemented in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada. The move comes at a time when social media platforms are facing pressure from governments worldwide to limit access to minors.
According to Meta Platforms, the parent company of Instagram, the alerts will only be sent to parents who have the “Super Vision” setting enabled on their account. The company emphasizes that promoting or sharing self-harm or suicide-related content is strictly prohibited, and Instagram already takes steps to block such search results and direct users to helpful resources.
In related news, a bill proposing a ban on social media use for minors under 15 in France has been presented to the National Assembly. Voting on the bill is scheduled for today. Australia has already implemented a similar ban on social media use for minors under 16, and other countries are considering similar laws.
In recent weeks, Greece, Spain, and Slovenia have hinted at limiting online access for minors. The UK is also considering stricter measures to protect children from online harms, while tensions surrounding the AI chatbot “Grok” have raised concerns about the creation of inappropriate content.
Instagram requires parents to grant permission for account settings to be changed for users under 16, and additional monitoring can be activated with the consent of both parents and children. In a separate development, Afghanistan has already begun negotiations with Pakistan before the 24-hour deadline, and a video of this historic moment has gone viral on various social media platforms, sending a message of unity.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has expressed concern over the escalating tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan. A 4-year-old girl’s body was found six years after she went missing in Rajasthan, India, and it is believed that her uncle and aunt buried her near an expressway. A 5.4-magnitude earthquake was recorded in Bangladesh, while US President Donald Trump has called for the removal of Alhun Omar and Rasheda Talib from the United States.
Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has said he is “personally indebted” to India, while a local court in Delhi has acquitted former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia in a liquor policy case, saying there was no evidence of a large conspiracy or malicious intent. A doctor in Florida has been accused of killing her 4-year-old daughter and then calling the police to report it as an accident.
China has expressed concern over the escalating tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan. The BBC has faced backlash over a contentious interview with Prince Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, while Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has called for an immediate halt to attacks by Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Iran has begun a new round of nuclear talks with the United States in Geneva, with a focus on Iran’s missile stockpile. A new report warns that the rapid development of AI-created software is exacerbating cybersecurity issues, while the rate of addressing security vulnerabilities is lagging far behind.
Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and former President Bill Clinton are set to testify before a Congressional committee today, with the committee chairman announcing that transcripts of their interviews will be made public. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said that it is necessary for Afghanistan and Pakistan to resolve their differences through dialogue.
In other news, a report from the DG ISPR has stated that over 74 Taliban posts have been completely destroyed, and 18 checkpoints are in Pakistani custody. From March 1, petroleum products may become more expensive, with petrol potentially increasing to 4.58 rupees per liter.
The opposition alliance has reached out to the government for negotiations, with a meeting taking place at Parliament House between opposition leader Mahmood Achakzai and Rana Sanaullah. The Taliban regime’s spokesperson has confirmed airstrikes in Kabul, Paktia, and Kandahar.
The social media platform has faced criticism over its journalistic standards and accountability, with serious questions being raised on social media.
