Australia has introduced groundbreaking legislation aimed at banning social media access for children under the age of 16, making it one of the world’s strictest crackdowns on popular platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter). The new rules were approved by the Australian Senate on Thursday with 34 votes in favor and 19 against. The legislation requires social media companies to take “reasonable steps” to prevent young teens from accessing their services. Failure to comply could result in fines up to AU$50 million (US$32.5 million). While the new laws are set to pass, many social media firms have criticized…
Author: Web Desk
TikTok is implementing new measures to address mental health concerns, particularly regarding the impact of beauty filters on young users. The popular social media platform has announced that, in the coming weeks, it will block users under 18 from using filters that artificially alter their appearance, such as enlarging their eyes, plumping their lips, or changing their skin tone. This move comes after growing concerns over the pressure beauty filters place on teenagers, especially young girls, to conform to unrealistic beauty standards. The use of filters that change one’s appearance often leads to negative mental health effects, as users struggle…
A recent report from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) has highlighted a concerning trend among digital content creators: two-thirds of them fail to verify the accuracy of the information they share. The report, titled ‘Behind the Screens’, is the first global study to analyze the motivations, practices, and challenges faced by digital content creators. Released on Tuesday, it was compiled with input from 500 influencers across 45 countries, in collaboration with researchers from Bowling Green State University in Ohio, USA. According to the findings, 62% of surveyed digital content creators admitted to not fact-checking the information they…
Islamabad: Amidst political instability, Pakistan’s government is increasingly resorting to heavy-handed internet censorship, a move that experts and citizens fear could sever the country’s ties to a promising digital future. Social media platforms, such as X (formerly Twitter), have been blocked since February, internet outages are becoming more frequent and severe, and soon, tools used to bypass state censorship, such as Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), will be banned for personal use. Analysts suggest that these measures are being introduced as the government faces opposition from supporters of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan, a leader who has a strong following…
Lahore: Tensions between Pakistan and India continue to escalate over the issue of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) firmly instructing the International Cricket Council (ICC) not to present a hybrid model for the event during a crucial executive board meeting scheduled for today (Friday). The meeting, which will take place online, has one main agenda: finalizing the schedule for the Champions Trophy. This follows India’s refusal to tour Pakistan for the February 19 to March 9, eight-nation tournament. Originally, the ICC had planned to announce the schedule by November 20, but it has been…
Durban: South Africa’s Marco Jansen produced a sensational bowling display to help his team seize control of the first Test against Sri Lanka, with the visitors collapsing to their lowest-ever Test score of just 42. Jansen took a career-best 7-13 as Sri Lanka were bowled out in just 14 overs on a lively pitch at Kingsmead on Thursday. After being put in to bat, South Africa were in a precarious position at 80-4 overnight. However, they were dismissed for 191 by lunch in their first innings, before recovering to 132-3 in their second innings, giving them a commanding 281-run lead…
World number two and French Open champion, Iga Swiatek, has accepted a one-month suspension after testing positive for the banned substance trimetazidine (TMZ), the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) confirmed on Thursday. Swiatek’s positive test was based on an out-of-competition sample collected in August. However, the ITIA concluded that the positive result was due to contamination from her medication, melatonin, which was produced and sold in Poland. Swiatek had been using melatonin to manage jet lag and sleep issues. Acknowledging there was no fault or negligence on her part, the ITIA imposed a one-month suspension, which Swiatek accepted. She had…
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, reassured on Thursday that the board would prioritize Pakistan’s best interests at the upcoming International Cricket Council (ICC) meeting concerning the ongoing deadlock over next year’s Champions Trophy. An ICC spokesman confirmed that the meeting will take place on Friday to decide the fate of the Champions Trophy, which is scheduled to be held in Pakistan from February 19 to March 9, 2025. Earlier this month, the PCB rejected proposals that would have allowed India to play their matches in a neutral third country. The ICC had informed the PCB that the Board…
ISLAMABAD: Following the violent dispersal of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) protesters in Islamabad, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday directed the establishment of a specialized anti-riot force to handle future violent demonstrations. The protests, led by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and Imran Khan’s spouse Bushra Bibi, resulted in casualties during a crackdown by law enforcement. Conflicting reports have emerged about the number of deaths. During a cabinet meeting to address the law-and-order situation, the prime minister stressed the need for a professional anti-riot force equipped with modern tools and advanced training. Referring to international examples, he urged immediate action…
KURRAM: Hostilities in Kurram district persisted on Thursday despite a ceasefire agreement, with the death toll climbing to 90 as fresh clashes claimed 12 more lives and left 18 others injured. Violence has continued intermittently for over a week, with no signs of resolution. The clashes initially erupted last week when a convoy of passenger vehicles was ambushed in Lower Kurram, killing over 40 people. On Thursday, reports indicated renewed firing in Jalmay, Chadrewal, and Talo Kunj villages. Sporadic violence was also reported in Upper Kurram’s Ghozghari, Matasangar, Maqbal, and Kunj Alizai areas. A mortar shell struck the Frontier Constabulary (FC)…
