
Australia Expands Under-16 Social Media Ban to Include YouTube Vantage with Palki Sharma
Australia is set to implement a world-first ban on social media use for children under 16, expanding the restrictions to include YouTube alongside TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, X, and Snapchat. The ban, slated to begin in December, aims to curb exposure to harmful online content and "predatory algorithms." While the Albanese government has received public support, experts argue the move is largely performative and that stronger regulation would be more effective.
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Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
Stephen A. Smith claps back at Michelle Obama's ‘offensive' ESPN remarks, gives her sharp lesson on reality TV, voting
Stephen A. Smith has responded to Michelle Obama's harsh criticism of ESPN this week, slamming the former First Lady for making 'offensive' remarks about voting for Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential elections. Stephen A. Smith told Michelle Obama that 'you will never hear me utter a negative word about you.' (REUTERS) Smith's statement comes as Obama chastised ESPN and its on-screen personalities, including First Take star Smith, on the most recent episode of her 'IMO' podcast. The former First Lady compared the network to reality TV show 'The Real Housewives of Atlanta'. 'It's the same drama, and they're yelling at each other, and they don't get along, you know? I mean, Stephen A. Smith, he's just like every other talk show host,' she stated, as per Daily Mail. Stephen A. Smith says he is 'still a bit salty' at Michelle Obama Later, Smith hit back at Obama on the new episode of his YouTube show. After encouraging Obama to invite guests with 'dissenting' viewpoints to the IMO podcast, he chastised Obama's remarks about Trump and the Republican party before the presidential election. 'Michelle Obama, I wanna take this opportunity to remind you that while you are revered by me personally, and I truly, truly mean that with the greatest sincerity, I'm still a bit salty at you,' Smith stated. He reminded her that she stated that voting for Trump means vote against her and fellow women during her campaign. 'I want to say for the record - I took major offense to that.' Also Read: Trump blasts Charlamagne tha God as 'low IQ individual' over Epstein files remarks: 'He has no idea what words…' Targetting Obama, he said that it was the only thing that he did not like or appreciate, adding that there are so many factors that influence where your vote will go. 'For some people, it's all about the economy. For others, it's all about national security. For some people, it is immigration. For some people, it's safety in the streets of America. Long before they think about pro-choice or pro-life,' he continued. After hearing the analogy to the Real Housewives, Smith went on to call Obama 'sensational'. 'So this doesn't have anything to do with what you were talking about, how sports and reality TV mirror one another, even though we would beg to differ,' the ESPN anchor said. 'You are so wrong': Smith to Michelle Obama He mentioned reality TV frequently uses fictitious settings and scenarios in order to elicit reactions and other things. 'We're at sports, that's live entertainment, and you're actually competing against one another is big time. No, reality TV is not like that. You're so wrong about that, about that assertion, but that's neither here nor there.' In his concluding remarks, he gave a message to Obama, saying that 'you will never hear me utter a negative word about you.' He, however, added that he still remains 'pretty salty about what you said about us.'


Hindustan Times
5 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Journalist Sneha Barve receives death threats days after assault while reporting illegal construction
Journalist Sneha Barve has received fresh death threats just days after she was allegedly assaulted while reporting on illegal land construction in Manchar near Pune. The attack and repeated threats have triggered concern among press freedom advocates and women's rights bodies, prompting calls for urgent intervention by the Maharashtra government. Sneha Barve was allegedly brutally assaulted with a wooden stick while reporting on illegal construction near Pune.(X/@sunshine_rahul) She was attacked on July 4 while covering illegal land construction in Manchar, near Pune. Just three weeks later, on July 24, she received another death threat. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and the National Commission for Women (NCW) have both demanded immediate protection for Barve and arrest of the prime accused, who remains at large despite being named in the police investigation. 'It is outrageous that journalist Sneha Barve, who was nearly killed for exposing wrongdoing, has been threatened once again, while the main suspect in her assault walks free,' said Kunal Majumder, CPJ's India representative. 'Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis must urgently guarantee Sneha Barve's safety to send a clear message that attacks on the press will not be tolerated and ensure those responsible are swiftly prosecuted.' Journalist describes the attack Barve told CPJ that on July 24, Prashant Pandurang Morde - who was arrested for his role in the earlier attack on the journalist - accosted her outside her office in the town of Manchar and threatened her, saying, 'This time, we should finish the matter for good.' On July 4, Barve, founder of the Samarth Bharat Pariwar YouTube-based news channel, was attacked by a group of men while reporting on alleged illegal construction on disputed land in Manchar, Pune district. A video of the attack shows a man striking Barwe with a wooden rod before she loses consciousness. Five suspects were arrested but released on bail three days later. The man accused of wielding the rod, Pandurang Sakharam Morde, a businessman with alleged political connections, was named in the First Information Report opening the investigation, but has not been arrested. On July 18, Prashant Morde, son of Pandurang Sakharam Morde, went to Barve's father's office and threatened to harm the entire family, the journalist told CPJ. In a complaint to police, Barve said the three suspects had been collecting information about her family and requested police protection. Women's panel concerned after attack The National Commission for Women (NCW) has also taken suo motu cognisance of the attack. According to reports received by the Commission, Barve was left unconscious after the assault. Despite the gravity of the incident, the prime accused has not yet been arrested, raising serious concerns about the handling of the case, the NCW said. NCW Chairperson Vijay Rahatkar strongly condemned the attack and has directed the concerned police officials to conduct a fair and time-bound investigation. She has also instructed authorities to ensure that the main accused is arrested immediately and that the survivor is provided with appropriate medical and psychological assistance.


Time of India
7 hours ago
- Time of India
Instagram live streaming rules change: Who can still go live and who's restricted; check if you are on the list and other key details
Instagram has introduced a major policy update limiting access to its popular Live streaming feature. Previously, any user could go Live, regardless of their follower count or account privacy settings. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Now, only users with at least 1,000 followers and a public account can initiate Live broadcasts. This change aligns Instagram with platforms like TikTok, which have a similar follower minimum to use live streaming. While Instagram hasn't officially explained the rationale, the move appears aimed at enhancing the quality and relevance of live content on the platform, reducing infrastructure costs, and steering creators towards more professional, monetized use cases. However, this decision has sparked concerns about its impact on smaller creators and everyday users who relied on Live for casual social interaction. Instagram's new update on live streaming policy The new rule requires users to have a minimum of 1,000 followers and maintain a public account to access Instagram's Live feature. Users who don't meet these criteria will see a notification that reads: 'Your account is no longer eligible for Live. We changed the requirements to use this feature. Only public accounts with 1,000 followers or more will be able to create live videos.' This essentially limits Live streaming to more established users, restricting smaller accounts and private profiles from broadcasting live content. The update marks a shift in Instagram's approach, transforming Live from an inclusive social tool to a feature that favors creators with larger audiences. Why did Instagram make this change? Potential reasons behind the update Although Instagram has not publicly detailed the reasons, experts and user feedback suggest several motivations: Improved streaming quality and user experience: Live video demands substantial real-time bandwidth and server resources. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Limiting the feature to larger accounts could reduce network strain and improve streaming stability for viewers and broadcasters. Focus on monetisation and professional content: By favoring accounts with bigger followings, Instagram is likely prioritizing creators who use Live for business, influencer marketing, and branded content, aligning with Meta's monetization goals. Industry alignment: TikTok and other social platforms already require a follower threshold to go live, so Instagram is possibly standardizing its policies to compete and maintain advertiser interest. This approach reflects a broader industry trend where live streaming is becoming more about professional content and less about casual social sharing. New Instagram live rules frustrate small creators The update has met with mixed reactions from Instagram's community, especially among small creators and casual users. Many feel this change limits opportunities for organic growth and reduces the platform's inclusivity. Common concerns include: Stifling creativity and community : Smaller creators and everyday users often used Live for personal connections, casual chats, or niche hobbies. Restricting access may discourage authentic, grassroots engagement. Encouragement of artificial growth: Some fear the policy will drive people to buy fake followers or use bots just to unlock Live, undermining genuine community building. Prioritising profit over users: Several users criticize Instagram for prioritizing monetized content and brand deals, sidelining users who don't generate revenue. Social media commentators have called the move 'a push towards commercialization' that risks alienating loyal, smaller creators who helped build Instagram's community. How does this impact Instagram users moving forward For creators and users, the implications are significant: Established creators benefit: Influencers and larger accounts gain more exclusive control over live content, potentially increasing their visibility and monetization options. Small accounts must adapt: Users with fewer than 1,000 followers will need to explore other engagement strategies or focus on growing their audience before accessing Live streaming. Shift towards professionalism: Instagram is clearly steering Live towards use cases involving brand promotion, influencer marketing, and advertiser-friendly content rather than casual personal sharing. This shift may reshape how communities interact on Instagram and influence where smaller creators choose to invest their time and energy.