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Euronews
a day ago
- Health
- Euronews
Protecting children online: The time to act is now
In today's digital era, children are growing up in a world where social media are as integral to their daily lives as school or family. While technology offers tremendous opportunities for learning, creativity, and connection, it also exposes young people to significant risks that can no longer be overlooked. The consequences are deeply concerning. According to a 2023 report by the European Commission, one in three young people in the EU spends more than three hours per day on social media. This level of overexposure has been closely associated with a growing mental health issues among minors—including anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. A 2024 study by the World Health Organisation showed that a problematic social media use among adolescents increased from 7% in 2018 to 11% in 2022. It highlights negative impacts on mental health, sleep, well-being and academic performance. Social media platforms – often built around addictive algorithms – are designed to keep young users engaged for extended periods. Constant exposure to idealised, curated content can distort self-perception, fuelling feelings of inadequacy and dissatisfaction. These are not just statistics—they reflect the genuine emotional and psychological struggles faced by an entire generation that is increasingly ill–equipped to navigate the digital world in a healthy and balanced manner. What is it that we are asking for? Europe has made notable progress through initiatives like the Better Internet for Kids (BIK+) strategy and the Digital Services Act (DSA). Yet, the current framework remains insufficient. The online protection of children must be elevated to a political and societal priority, underpinned by concrete and enforceable action. We must therefore move swiftly to implement a set of focused measures, starting with default privacy settings for children's accounts to reduce the risk of unsolicited contact from strangers. We also asking for ecalibrated recommender systems that prioritise explicit user feedback—such as deliberate selection of topics—to minimise the risk of children being drawn into harmful content rabbit holes. We want enhanced safety controls, including the ability for children to block or mute any user and protection from being added to group chats without their explicit consent, thereby reducing exposure to cyberbullying. Above all, mandatory age verification mechanisms must be implemented across all social networks. Such measures are essential to prevent minors from bypassing age restrictions and to substantially reduce their exposure to harmful online environments. The European Commission's recent draft guidelines on the protection of minors under the DSA mark a significant step towards a safer digital space. They offer a unique opportunity to establish age verification a a standard practice across social networks—not as an optional feature, but as a strict requirement. Enforcing age verification will equip platforms with the technical means necessary to uphold their own terms of service. It will also facilitate the enforcement of EU and national laws that set minimum age requirements for access to specific digital products or services. If we are genuinely committed to ensuring that the digital world fosters healthy development, learning, and meaningful connection—rather than becoming a breeding ground for anxiety, addiction and harm—then the decisive action must be taken now. Alexander Pröll, State Secretary for Digitalisation, Combating Antisemitism and Public Service, and the Constitution, Austria; Prof Radovan Fuchs, PhD., Minister of Science, Education and Youth, Croatia; Damir Habijan, Minister of Justice, Public Administration and Digital Transformation, Croatia; Dr Nicodemos Damianou, Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy, Cyprus; Caroline Stage Olsen, Minister for Digital Affairs, Denmark; Clara Chappaz, Minister of Artificial intelligence and Digital Affairs, France; Elisabeth Borne, Minister of National Education, Higher Education and Research, France; Catherine Vautrin, Minister of Labour, Health, Solidarity, and Families, France; Karin Prien, Federal Minister of Education, Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth, Germany; Dimitrios Papastergiou, Minister of Digital Governance, Greece; Sofia Zacharaki, Minister of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports, Greece; Patrick O'Donovan, Minister for culture and communications, Ireland; Prof Giuseppe Valditar, Minister for Education and Merit, Italy; Alessio Butti, Undersecretary of State to the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, responsible for technological innovation and digital transition, Italy; Elisabeth Margue, Minister for Justice and Minister attached to the Prime Minister, responsible for the Media and Connectivity, Luxembourg; Claude Meisch, Minister for Education, Children and Youth Affairs, Luxembourg; Tomáš Drucker, Minister of Education, Research, Development, and Youth, Slovakia; Ksenija Klampfer, Minister of Digital Transformation, Slovenia; Vinko Logaj, Minister of Education and Care, Slovenia; Oscar López Águeda, Minister for Digital and Civil Service Transformation, Spain and María del Pilar Alegría Continente, Minister for Education and Vocational Training, Spain all coauthored this opinion article.
Euronews
2 days ago
- Business
- Euronews
Big Tech isn't doing enough to fight disinformation, EU body says
Google, Meta, Microsoft, and TikTok aren't doing enough under EU laws to fight disinformation, a new report found. The European Digital Media Observatory (EDMO) assessed the period from January to June 2024 on how these tech giants met the eight core commitments of the EU's Code of Practice on Disinformation, a voluntary document signed in 2018 that will be integrated into the Digital Services Act (DSA) on July 1st. The group found there is a 'clear gap' between the platforms' commitments under the code of practice and the verifiable evidence of their implementation. 'The assessment identifies consistent gaps in transparency, independent oversight and measurable outcomes across all commitments,' the report reads, adding that the code 'risks remaining performative' if the companies do not step up. The pledges in the code include avoiding advertisements next to disinformation, efficiently labelling misleading or fake information, and providing researchers with data about their platforms. Efforts to fight disinformation 'remain very limited' The study looked at whether the platforms' transparency reports had 'comprehensive and detailed accounts' of how they mitigated disinformation and then rated them on a scale from very poor to excellent. Overall, the report found that the efforts to fight disinformation 'remain very limited, lacking consistency and meaningful engagement'. The study said that while Meta and Google launched some initiatives to fight off disinformation, they are frequently criticised 'for being superficial or symbolic'. For example, the report found that accessing tools like Google and Meta's political ad and fact-checking labels, along with Microsoft's 'Content Integrity Tools,' is still an issue, compounded by what they call a 'lack of data' about how many users interact with them by country. 'There are no user engagement figures, no reported outcomes, and no indication of the actual scale of these efforts,' the report said. The same issue comes up when evaluating the platform's commitments to media literacy. Projects such as Meta's 'We Think Digital,' a Microsoft partnership with news rating system NewsGuard, and Google's pre-bunking 'More About This Page' are 'high-level' initiatives without measurable data. The researchers said these measures raised doubts about whether they are just 'declarative gestures'. Meta, Google and TikTok also offer fact-checking panels, user prompts, notifications or labels that explain how information could be factually incorrect or misleading but the companies do not include any real-life data on how they perform. Google, in particular, reports 'large-scale reach figures' for their fact-checking panels but does not provide 'meaningful data' such as how user behaviour changed after seeing it. When it came to providing researchers with data to study disinformation on big platforms, only TikTok received a passing grade. Still, researchers surveyed by the EDMO reported difficulties getting data from the platform's Research API database because of its 'opaque application process'. The other platforms provide access to 'certain datasets' through researcher programmes but getting access to them is still 'highly restricted,' the authors note. EDMO used the companies' twice-yearly transparency reports coming from the online platforms, an expert survey and their own internal research to come up with their analysis of compliance.
Middle East Eye
2 days ago
- Politics
- Middle East Eye
New Yorkers see path for broad political shift through Zohran Mamdani's win
When news broke on Tuesday that former New York governor Andrew Cuomo, who was thought to be a favourite in the New York City mayoral primary, had conceded the race, the announcement was met with disbelief. The idea that an underdog pro-Palestinian Democratic Socialist state lawmaker had secured the Democratic nomination seemed too good to be true for Zohran Mamdani's supporters, after being smeared as an antisemite and "communist" by some of the most powerful politicians in the US. On Wednesday, after Mamdani's victory, US President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social about the election, saying that "the Democrats have crossed the line. Zohran Mamdani, a 100% Communist Lunatics, has just won the Dem Primary, is on his way to becoming Mayor. We've had Radical Leftists before, but this is getting a little ridiculous". Naaila*, 33, a Mamdani supporter and physician assistant, had been curbing her hopes to avoid eventual disappointment. She attended a packed Democratic Socialists of America's (DSA) watch party at the Boyfriend Co-op in Bushwick, a neighbourhood in Brooklyn, where she said the news was met with both joy and disbelief. 'There was a rumour that Cuomo conceded. Everyone was frantically checking their phones. When the DSA organisers called it, I still didn't believe it. I was checking my phone to see for myself. Then the reality dissipated through the crowd. People started cheering and screaming,' Naaila told Middle East Eye. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters She said the victory brought her to tears and was particularly meaningful because of the current situation in Palestine and the fact that it was two decades on from 9/11. 'You have to question whether you are allowed to be vocally Muslim, immigrant and socialist in public, and can even be eligible for mayor. Everything about this race felt like a referendum on diversity, on people power against the billionaires and super PAC funding, and Islamophobia'. 'It makes me so proud to be an immigrant, a New Yorker, a Muslim, and to be in the Palestinian movement.' Despite resigning from politics in 2021 over allegations of sexually harassing women, Cuomo had been tipped to win the race. This was largely believed to be because of his name recognition - his father, Mario Cuomo, is also a former New York governor - and because he had the financial backing of the largest super PAC ever created in the NYC mayoral campaign, which raised $25m for him. Mamdani, on the other hand, was the underdog. A former housing counsellor and current state assemblyman, he ran a bold grassroots campaign premised on helping all New Yorkers with three central pledges: affordable housing through rent freezes and increasing rent-stabilised housing; free buses and free childcare. His career to date has focused on helping working-class people. With 95 percent of ballots counted, Mamdani leads former governor Andrew Cuomo 43 percent to 36 percent in the Democratic primary, propelled by a wave of grassroots support and a bold left-wing platform. The final count is expected to come through in the next few days. Hope for a broader trend Most people MEE spoke to on Wednesday were surprised by Mamdani's win and excited about the prospect of political change. 'I was a little surprised, honestly. I didn't think he was going to win. I was hopeful he would. He ran a very strong campaign where he was able to get amongst the people, especially the youth. I'm super excited about where we're going next," Billy Summers, a 27-year-old from Prospect Heights, Brooklyn, told MEE. 'A Muslim, brown man as mayor of New York City is indicative of a broader change in the US political climate.' Nia*, a 22-year-old server from Prospect Heights, who voted for Mamdani, said, 'I am really proud of my city for pulling through. I think it was about time for us to vote for someone who actually cares about representing the city and people." Mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani fends off hate as he inspires New Yorkers Read More » She believes Israel's war on Gaza is one of the reasons that led to his win, and said that Mamdani's responses in the mayoral debate and handling of questions on Israel and his commitment to standing with New Yorkers, including Jewish New Yorkers, made her want to stand with him. 'I think we're finally realising that the government is supposed to represent us, the people, and that we actually do have the power to change things. We just have to utilise the people and come together. I think this mayoral race showed us we can turn things around, and I hope after this, New York will.' Mawahib* is a first-generation Somali who also lives in Prospect Heights and voted for Mamdani. She said she voted for him because of his plans to freeze rent. She said that people who have lived in NYC for decades have been dealing with rent increases, and supporting communities is really important to her. She was with her flatmate on Wednesday night when the election results came through and said she was 'super hyped and elated' by the results. 'I was incredibly hopeful [Mamdani would win] because a lot of my friends who are transplants registered to vote, so I was really, really excited,' she added. The New York City general mayoral election is scheduled for 4 November, with the Democrats favoured to win. Incumbent mayor Eric Adams, who stood on a Democratic ticket, is due to stand as an Independent in the forthcoming election, but his popularity is at an all-time low. It is unclear whether Cuomo will run as an Independent.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Is Charles River Laboratories Stock Underperforming the S&P 500?
Valued at a market cap of $7.3 billion, Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. (CRL) provides drug discovery, non-clinical development, and safety testing services worldwide. Headquartered in Wilmington, Massachusetts, the company operates through three segments: Research Models and Services (RMS), Discovery and Safety Assessment (DSA), and Manufacturing Solutions (Manufacturing). Companies valued between $2 billion and $10 billion are generally classified as 'mid-cap stocks," and Charles River Laboratories fits this criterion perfectly. The company helps pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, government agencies, and leading academic institutions around the globe accelerate their research and drug development efforts by providing essential products and services. Super Micro Computer Just Struck a Deal with Ericsson. Should You Buy SMCI Stock Here? CEO Jensen Huang Just Sold Nvidia Stock. Should You? Broadcom Just Got a New Street-High Price Target. Should You Buy AVGO Stock Here? Markets move fast. Keep up by reading our FREE midday Barchart Brief newsletter for exclusive charts, analysis, and headlines. Charles River Laboratories' stock has dropped 41.6% from its 52-week high of $254.15. Shares of CRL have decreased 11.1% over the past three months, underperforming the S&P 500 Index's ($SPX) 5.6% rise. Longer term, CRL stock has dipped 19.6% on a YTD basis, whereas the SPX has risen 3.6%. Additionally, shares of Charles River Laboratories have declined 29.3% over the past 52 weeks, significantly lagging behind the SPX's 11.8% return over the same time frame. The stock has been trading below its 50-day and 200-day moving averages since August last year. Yet, it has risen above its 50-day moving average since mid-May. CRL stock jumped 18.7% following the release of its better-than-expected Q1 2025 earnings on May 7. Although revenue declined 2.7% year-over-year to $984.2 million due to weakness across all segments, it still surpassed consensus estimates. Its operating margin improved to 19.1% from 18.5%, supported by cost savings from restructuring efforts. Its adjusted EPS grew 3.1% from the year-ago quarter to $2.34, also surpassing the Wall Street expectations. Looking ahead, the company raised its 2025 adjusted EPS guidance to a range of $9.30 to $9.80, reflecting stronger net bookings in the DSA segment. In contrast, Labcorp Holdings Inc. (LH) has surpassed CRL stock. Shares of LH have soared 14.5% on a YTD basis and 26.2% over the past 52 weeks. Despite CRL's underperformance, analysts are moderately optimistic about its prospects. The stock has a consensus rating of 'Moderate Buy' from the 15 analysts covering it, and it is currently trading below the mean price target of $158.64. On the date of publication, Sohini Mondal did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
The Independent
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Does Zohran Mamdani's surprise victory in the New York mayor race prove that progressive ideas can win elections?
America is used to political drama, but a Democratic Party upset in New York has stunned some life into even the most cynical insiders. Zohran Mamdani – a self-described democratic socialist (the 'S-word' is long considered kryptonite in US politics) and a relatively inexperienced member of the New York State Assembly – has defeated former state governor Andrew Cuomo to be the Democrats' chosen candidate for the mayoral election in November. Cuomo was ousted in a sexual harassment scandal four years ago, and had been working towards a comeback. But in securing this win, 33-year-old newcomer Mamdani hasn't just shut out a titan of New York politics – he's given the Democratic Party its first real jolt of energy since it lost the White House last year. Mamdani's victory wasn't an 'ABC' (Anyone But Cuomo) victory. For those outside the US – or even outside New York – Mamdani is a new name. He's the son of Ugandan academic Mahmood Mamdani and filmmaker Mira Nair, and grew up partly in East Africa before settling in the city. Elected to the state Assembly in 2020 – New York's lower elected house, closest to the UK's devolved governments, Mamdani is part of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) and represents a gentrifying slice of western Queens. He speaks the language of renters, immigrants and low-income workers – not in abstract policy terms, but with urgency and clarity. And that's what made this campaign take off. His platform focused on freezing rent, expanding tenants' rights, offering free buses, mostly paid for by a hefty new tax on the wealthy – solutions often dismissed by the establishment as too radical. Mamdani ran a serious and organised campaign that beat its opposition with door-knocking, community trust and conviction. It's a sign that the progressive movement is finally maturing: no longer just shouting from the sidelines, it's now winning tough fights with party machinery. The race also confirms my theory about something deeper in the current political mood. American voters, across ideological lines, are desperate for someone to 'flip the f***in' table'. I came up with that phrase while working on Kamala Harris' presidential campaign last year, and I keep returning to it. People didn't vote for Donald Trump because they admired his criminality, racism or misogyny – they voted for him, despite all that, because he was the only candidate who promised to break the system. Working people don't care who flips the table – Trump or Mamdani – as long as someone does. I'm incredibly proud to have worked on the Harris campaign, but we struggled to articulate a path to improving the lives of voters who feel locked out, left behind and lied to. The system isn't working, and they didn't see change in our campaign. Whether it's the populist right or the democratic left, these people will rally behind whoever makes them feel heard. In 2024, that was Trump. Now, it's Mamdani. Of course, Mamdani is not without controversy. He drew national attention for his past support for the Palestinian cause, including a 2021 protest chant to 'globalise the intifada'. In a city with more Jewish residents than Tel Aviv, this would typically be politically suicidal. But Mamdani has made a sharp distinction between opposing Israeli government policy and antisemitism – a feat that seems to have eluded practically every left-wing politician on the planet (see Jeremy Corbyn). He's spoken forcefully and repeatedly that Palestinian liberation must also mean protection for Jewish New Yorkers. As Brad Lander – the Jewish comptroller of New York City, who ran a collaborative campaign with Mamdani to make the most of ranked-choice voting – told Stephen Colbert: 'No mayor is going to be responsible for what happens in the Middle East, but there is something quite remarkable about a Jewish New Yorker and a Muslim New Yorker coming together to say: 'Here's how we protect all New Yorkers. Jewish New Yorkers and Muslim New Yorkers are not going to be divided from each other.'' So what did Democrats just do? Whether they realise it or not, they might have finally chosen a direction. Mamdani's victory won't sit easily with the party's corporate donors or centrist strategists – but then we tried their way in 2016 and 2024. Instead, it offers something they've lacked for months: a vision. Mamdani's win is proof that progressive ideas can win elections, that authenticity beats mediocrity, and that voters want more than messaging – they want someone who lives their struggles and means it when they say they'll change it. Mamdani has finally done what I've advised, hoped and craved someone would: Flipped the f***ing table. New Yorkers rightly crave a representative who understands what it is like to live in cramped, overpriced apartments and make long commutes on a struggling subway. A Ugandan-born socialist millennial Muslim may just have given the Democrats the shot in their arm that the national party needs.
