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Guardian
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‘Child poverty has got a lot worse’: outgoing charity boss lambasts Tory failures and social media giants
- NSPCC CEO, Peter Wanless, has criticised the UK government's failure to tackle child poverty and improve results for children, highlighting that resources to support early interventions have fallen by 44% while the number of children taken into care has risen by 28% since 2010. Wanless has also criticised social media firms and their misplaced priorities, calling out Instagram and Snapchat in particular, as well as condemning politicians for not banning smacking in England. Despite support for calls to block social media for children, Wanless argues that blanket restrictions risk setting back education and child development.
- The outgoing CEO iterated that there were a lack of safeguards for children in the digital world, citing a 2017 case in which a 14-year-old girl who had viewed graphic self-harm content on Instagram committed suicide. While Meta has launched over 50 tools to increase child safety, researchers have found that Instagram is still failing to moderate inadequate self-harm content.
- Snapchat, which is listed as the worst platform for child grooming, is also criticised by Wanless. During his tenure at NSPCC he met with social media firms regularly, calling for greater strictures and compliance with existing regulatory standards. Wanless believes that the onus is on tech companies to design with the legal enforcement of duty of care and guardrails.
- Wanless is a strong proponent of improving the strategic outlook to benefit children’s outcomes. In his view banning smacking in England would aid improvements, making it illegal to hit a child in England as it is already in Scotland and Wales. While improvements have been slow in coming Wanless has said that he is “encouraged” by the increased attention being given to the issue.
- Despite criticism of the Tories and social media firms and their parent company, Facebook, alongside calls for greater safeguarding measures online and a determination to see smacking banned; Wanless sees the jury still out on Labour’s hopes to improve outcomes for children if they come to power once again.
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Crypto-News-Flash
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Image Credit: Crypto-News-Flash
David Marcus Reveals How Libra Was Politically Blocked
- David Marcus accuses Janet Yellen of pressuring Jerome Powell, leading to the failure of the Libra project.
- Libra faced insurmountable political resistance, stalling its ambitious blockchain-based global payment system.
- Debates arise regarding the stifling of innovation and government control in the crypto space.
- The opposition to Libra serves as a cautionary tale for future blockchain initiatives.
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Moneyweb
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TikTok, Meta brace for Australian social media ban fallout
- Australia has passed a law that bans under-16s from using social media, which could have implications for the likes of TikTok and Facebook. The move, which introduces some of the strictest rules relating to online content outside of non-democratic regimes such as China, could spur other nations to follow suit. Measures have also been trialled or proposed in France, Florida and Texas, as well as the UK. However, critics have called the new law ineffective and academics have also warned of the unintended and complex effects of the ban.
- The law will take effect in around 12 months, and will require digital platforms including Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok to enforce the age limit on users, with potential fines of A$50m ($32m) for breaches. Despite being placed under pressure to do so, it is so far unclear how the platforms will verify ages, and children who find a way to evade such controls will not be fined. The legislation is aimed at giving Australian children a childhood and has proved popular with voters, who approve of the ban by a margin of 77%, according to a YouGov survey.
- Yet the ban has also attracted criticism. Big tech players such as Facebook owner Meta Platforms and Elon Musk’s X have both expressed misgivings about the legislation. Academics warn that a ban will do nothing to resolve the deeper issues of online bullying and the mental health effects of exposure to harmful content: platforms should instead focus on disabling algorithms that magnify negative content, said Lisa Given, Professor of Information Sciences at RMIT University in Melbourne. Additionally, the ban will potentially harm the business models of TikTok, Facebook and Snapchat, by depriving them of a key user group.
- TikTok said the legislation was “rushed” and “unworkable”, while X, known as Twitter before it was bought by Musk, said it had “serious concerns as to the lawfulness of the bill”, prompting the possibility of a court challenge. Unicef also criticised the ban, saying it would push young people into the unregulated corners of the internet. Other nations, including Norway, the UK and France, have attempted to curb young children’s access to social media.
- The World Health Organization warned in September that children's use of social media could have far-reaching consequences for adolescent development and their long-term health. The Geneva-based organization called for “immediate and sustained action” to be taken on the issue, and the ban in Australia sets a new precedent on age usage of social media by introducing age thresholds for social media use, irrespective of parental permission.
- Social media and other online communications platforms have faced intense scrutiny in recent years. Among the issues that have caused concern are online bullying and grooming, as well as scams perpetrated via the medium. Yet the simplicity of Australia’s ban has also highlighted the complexity of the problem. YouTube has been deemed exempt from the ban, despite the possibility that it might contain equally toxic content under videos as other sites. Discord and WhatsApp have also been exempted.
- France has aimed to keep under-15s off social media, while in the UK, Peter Kyle, the Secretary of State for Science and Technology, has been in contact with the Australian government to learn more about its ban and reasoning. Simon Kemp, founder of Singapore-based digital consulting firm Kepios, suggests such rules are set to become more common around the world. Meanwhile, Anthony Albanese, leader of the Australian opposition, warned of the potential impact to protect freedoms, and said a balance must be struck.
- The world of social media has come under increasing pressure over a range of concerns, with many parents expressing anger and wanting regulation. Social media can offer young people vital information, entertainment and communications, but can also expose them to online bullying and grooming. Solutions to protect vulnerable children is becoming a global priority.
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Medium
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API Pagination with Cursors: A Practical Guide
- Pagination is essential for handling the massive amounts of data associated with social media APIs.
- Different strategies exist, such as simple page-based pagination and cursor-based pagination.
- The optimal pagination method depends on the specific needs of your application.
- Correct implementation and error handling are crucial for efficient pagination.
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Guardian
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Image Credit: Guardian
AI expert Marietje Schaake: ‘The way we think about technology is shaped by the tech companies themselves’
- Marietje Schaake, the international policy director at Stanford University Cyber Policy Center and former Dutch member of the European parliament, shares her thoughts on the problematic relationship between technology, politics, and power.
- The role of tech companies such as Facebook, Google, and Amazon in so many different aspects of people's lives, makes them very different animals to what we've seen in the past.
- Schaake believes that democratic government oversight should be strengthened to ensure that tech companies take their proper roles within a rule of law-based system, and are not overtaking it.
- Politicians have been light touch in the face of the digital technological revolution and have been held back by their technological ignorance.
- The UK's decision to leave the EU has not weakened its position with big tech, as Australia and Canada have also developed their own tech policies.
- Schaake's new book, The Tech Coup: How to Save Democracy from Silicon Valley, aims to reach the average news reader and explain how US tech companies have caused a loss of sovereignty.
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Insider
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Image Credit: Insider
Meta is reportedly building a $10 billion underwater cable that will circle the globe
- Meta plans to build a $10 billion global underwater cable that will circle the globe.
- The project is in the early planning stages, and the exact route has not been announced.
- Meta aims for sole cable ownership to avoid geopolitical tension areas like the Red Sea.
- The cable project would take years to complete given limited resources like cable ships.
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Siliconangle
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Image Credit: Siliconangle
Report: Meta to spend $10B+ on 25,000-mile submarine internet cable
- Meta Platforms Inc. plans to spend more than $10 billion on a submarine internet cable that will circle the globe.
- The cable will span over 24,850 miles from the East Coast to the West Coast with stops in South Africa, India, and Australia.
- Meta will finance the project in phases, and the first segment is estimated to cost $2 billion.
- The specialized cable ships used in such projects are fully booked, so the completion of the cable is expected to take years.
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Silicon
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Image Credit: Silicon
Meta Plans Subsea Cable For Its Own Exclusive Use – Report
- Meta Platforms is reportedly planning to build a 40,000+ kilometre subsea cable exclusively for its platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads, and Instagram.
- The cable project could cost over $10 billion and is expected to take 5-10 years to complete.
- The route may start from the east coast of the United States and connect via India, South Africa, and Australia.
- Meta's cable aims to avoid regions with recent cable cuts and potential geopolitical tensions.
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Shinyshiny
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Image Credit: Shinyshiny
Mobile games break rules on loot boxes, Nintendo Switch 2 design leaked
- The most popular mobile games in the UK are being advertised without disclosing they contain loot boxes.
- Renault has reported a successful turnaround with a 7.9% operating margin in 2023.
- WhatsApp has replaced the 'Typing' sign with three dancing dots at the bottom of the screen.
- A leaked design of the Nintendo Switch 2 shows minimal changes and receives mixed feedback from fans.
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Silicon
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Image Credit: Silicon
Meta Concerned At Australia’s Social Media Ban For Under-16s
- Meta has criticised the Australian government for rushing the social media ban without considering the evidence and voices of young people.
- Both houses of the Australian parliament have approved the world's first social media ban for under-16s, involving fines of up to AUD 50m for companies who fail to prevent minors using their services.
- Enforcement of the social media ban may not be straightforward, since some youths have publicly admitted lying about their age on tech platforms.
- Tech giants including TikTok have said the law could push young users to darker corners of the internet, while human rights groups and mental health advocates have warned the policy may marginalise young Australians.
- Australia may not be the only country exploring legislation to restrict social media for minors - the UK has said a ban is on the table while the French education minister has expressed her desire to adopt the ban.
- Most social media companies have said they will comply with the ban, but expressed concerns about enforcement and its potential impact.
- Meta said the task now turns to ensuring productive consultation on all rules associated with the bill and a technically feasible outcome that does not place a burden on parents and teens.
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TechBullion
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Image Credit: TechBullion
Understanding the Limits of Instagram Story Viewer
- The Instagram Story viewer feature allows users to view, save, and download stories of other users in high quality and complete anonymity.
- This feature bypasses the default Instagram feature where users' names appear on the viewer's list, ensuring no evidence of viewing the story.
- To use the Instagram Story viewer, users need to copy the profile link of the desired account, visit the InSnoop website, paste the link, and wait for the tool to download the story.
- Insta Story viewers provide a discreet way to stay connected with friends, celebrities, and entertainment without directly engaging or leaving digital traces.
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TechCrunch
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Meta plans to build a $10B subsea cable spanning the world, sources say
- Meta, the parent of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, plans to build a new, major, fibre-optic subsea cable extending around the world — a 40,000+ kilometer project that could total more than $10 billion of investment.
- The cable would give Meta a dedicated pipe for data traffic around the world. The planned route of the cable currently sees it spanning from the east coast of the U.S. to India via South Africa, and then to the west coast of the U.S. from India via Australia.
- Meta will be the sole owner and user of this subsea cable — a first for the company and thus representing a milestone for its infrastructure efforts.
- The plan is to start with a budget of $2 billion but as the project builds out that figure is likely to go up to more than $10 billion as the project extends into years of work.
- According to telecom analysts, Meta is part-owner of 16 existing networks, including most recently the 2Africa cable that encircles the continent.
- Fiber-optic subsea cables have been a part of communications infrastructure for the last 40 years. Meta’s plans underscore how investment and ownership of subsea networks has shifted in recent years from consortiums involving telecoms carriers to big tech giants.
- Several times in recent years, subsea cables have been taken down as collateral or direct damage from warfare. The route as envisioned by Meta is intended to help the company “avoid areas of geopolitical tension,” a source close to the company told TechCrunch.
- Tech companies want to have more direct ownership of the pipes needed to deliver content, advertising and more to users around the world. Having priority on dedicated subsea cabling can help ensure quality of service on that traffic.
- Meta has an opportunity to build out data center capacity in India specifically for training and working with AI models, and the subsea cable could play a role in that effort.
- Sources close to the project describe AI as part of the “long tail” of considerations and possibilities, along with whether Meta would open capacity to other users alongside itself.
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Androidauthority
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Image Credit: Androidauthority
Wasting a lot of time watching Shorts and Reels? This app puts you back in control.
- A new app called Sane Scrolling promises to block short-form video content on various apps.
- The app lets you set a timer so Shorts are blocked after a specified period of time.
- Sane Scrolling only blocks short-form videos, so you can still check direct messages, your feed, and more.
- Developer IJagan on Reddit created a new Android app called Sane Scrolling to block short-form video content on apps.
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Insider
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Image Credit: Insider
The social media world is splintering, and it'll pave the way for a new breed of influencer
- A splintered social media world is opening up room for a new, more authentic breed of influencer.
- People are seeking authentic, expertise-driven communities.
- While the money is still there, the influencer industry is becoming more discerning.
- Audiences seek trust and tend to avoid creators that don't align with their values.
- Trust is important since brands opt for the top creators.
- Gen Zers and other groups are moving to other platforms, including VSCO, Bluesky, Mastodon, Substack, and Patreon.
- Advertising infuse platforms like TikTok.
- VSCO has 57% of the user base between 18-24 years old and with a million new sign-ups each month.
- Experts offering unique and fun insights meet the shifting demand.
- Creators must adapt or face difficulties establishing themselves in an oversaturated market.
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TechJuice
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Image Credit: TechJuice
Australia Bans Social Media for Children Under 16 with New Law
- Australia has banned children under 16 from using social media, a move seen as one of the strictest targeting big tech while also being aimed at improving young people's mental health. Tech giants including Meta, owner of Facebook and Instagram, and TikTok face fines running to AUD49.5m ($32m) if they don't block minors from using their services. The ban will be imposed one year from now following testing in January. Australia is one of the first countries to take action against the potential harm that social media can cause to young people.
- Some other countries have introduced or indicated their intention to introduce minimum age laws for social media use, while some US states have rules that require parental permission for minors to access such platforms, but Australia's ban has been described as the strictest of its kind.
- The legislation remains controversial, with some child rights organisations and privacy campaigners opposing it, and scholars and youth advocacy groups also raising concerns that the measure might make already-vulnerable groups of young people more marginalised, but recent polls indicate that around 77% of Australians support the move.
- Meta, which earlier this month stressed it rated Australian law but was concerned about what it called a rushed process and how evidence and young people's voices had not been properly taken into account, is one of the tech companies that will be most affected by the ban. TikTok and YouTube are also set to be impacted by the new rules, while Snap, parent of Snapchat, has expressed concern but committed to complying with Australia's laws.
- Some of those who support young people's rights to privacy warn that the legislation could pave the way for heightened government monitoring, but an amendment to the bill now obliges platforms to offer users options other than uploading personal identification documents.
- Some have claimed that a complete ban will simply drive young people to more dangerous parts of the internet. Commenting on the move, Sarah Hanson-Young, a senator for the left-leaning Greens, claimed that 'boomers' were attempting to dictate how the internet should work, despite the fact that it risked making them feel better rather than helping young people.
- While the move remains controversial, it does represent an early example of what could become increasing regulation of social media and big tech companies, who are commonly accused of doing too little to tackle problems ranging from online hate speech to fake news. With elections looming or taking place in a number of countries over the next two years, it is possible that others will follow Australia's lead.
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