YouTube will begin restricting access to certain depictions of realistic violence in video games for users under 18 and those not logged into their accounts,

Learn how to watch age restricted YouTube videos in 2026 without signing in or sharing ID. Discover safe, working methods to bypass YouTube age restrictions across all devices.

 Roblox announces new federated central data coordination, but the system also acts as a reminder of the amount of data the company stores about its users and their activity on the platform As the platform boasts more than 132 million daily users, half of which are under the age of 18, Roblox has a large-scale privacy and safety issue.  At the Black Hat security conference, Roblox engineering manager Hao Zhang and principal privacy software engineer Yiwen Luo spoke about the company’s approach to operational privacy and data deletion. One user request to delete data could trigger over 600 subtasks that need to be tackled by different teams and systems. According to Zhang, the entire system is complex and requires close collaboration between hundreds of systems; one of the biggest challenges was figuring out where exactly the data about the user is stored.  Luo added that per the privacy policy, Roblox collects and stores most information about the user for as long as the account is active on the platform. The topics range from chat content, audio and video data, device information, and demography, to email and phone number, government ID and selfie for voice chat and other restricted content, payment information, and username, date of birth, and password. Roblox has experienced a 3.5X growth in year-over-year privacy-related user data requests.  The new federated management system aims to handle such requests in a more efficient system-wide manner across the company’s systems and data platforms, as well as the third-party ones storing user data. Roblox is using artificial intelligence and other technologies to improve moderation, safety, and privacy on its platform. The company’s system, called Sentinel, is designed to detect harmful content and messages using machine learning algorithms.  Roblox also relies on a combination of human moderation and automated tools to review and filter game catalogs, chat content, and other materials. It implements preventive algorithms and age-estimation solutions as a part of its safety measures. However, the growing use of tracking systems, tools, and the controversy around the age-verification laws in over half of the U.S. states have sparked debates regarding data privacy and potential risks to users’ safety and data privacy.  The expansion of Roblox’s operations has also led to increased scrutiny from regulators. After the games containing violent and extremist content were leaked, and the lawsuits regarding the company’s alleged role in facilitating predation and grooming were filed, Roblox’s moderation capabilities and safety tools have come under the magnifying glass. The Roblox Sentinel documentation reveals that roughly 1,200 potential child-endangerment reports had been reviewed. Still, there was no information about how many of those had been confirmed as actual cases. While the new federated security system allows Roblox to have more visibility and control over where the data about its users is stored and how does the company handles data deletion requests, its transparency around the matter is limited by the amount of data the company stores about its users and the extent to which it monitors its platforms.

  Meta has started taking down accounts belonging to Australians under 16 on Instagram, Facebook and Threads, beginning a week before Australia’s new age-restriction law comes into force. The company recently alerted users it believes are between 13 and 15 that their profiles would soon be shut down, and the rollout has now begun. Current estimates suggest that a large number of accounts will be affected, including roughly hundreds of thousands across Meta’s platforms. Since Threads operates through Instagram credentials, any underage Instagram account will also lose access to Threads. Australia’s new policy, which becomes fully active on 10 December, prevents anyone under 16 from holding an account on major social media sites. This law is the first of its kind globally. Platforms that fail to take meaningful action can face penalties reaching up to 49.5 million Australian dollars. The responsibility to monitor and enforce this age limit rests with the companies, not parents or children. A Meta spokesperson explained that following the new rules will require ongoing adjustments, as compliance involves several layers of technology and review. The company has argued that the government should shift age verification to app stores, where users could verify their age once when downloading an app. Meta claims this would reduce the need for children to repeatedly confirm their age across multiple platforms and may better protect privacy. Before their accounts are removed, underage users can download and store their photos, videos and messages. Those who believe Meta has made an incorrect assessment can request a review and prove their age by submitting government identification or a short video-based verification. The new law affects a wide list of services, including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, Threads, YouTube, X, Reddit, Twitch and Kick. However, platforms designed for younger audiences or tools used primarily for education, such as YouTube Kids, Google Classroom and messaging apps like WhatsApp, are not included. Authorities have also been examining whether children are shifting to lesser-known apps, and companies behind emerging platforms like Lemon8 and Yope have already begun evaluating whether they fall under the new rules. Government officials have stated that the goal is to reduce children’s exposure to harmful online material, which includes violent content, misogynistic messages, eating disorder promotion, suicide-related material and grooming attempts. A national study reported that the vast majority of children aged 10 to 15 use social media, with many encountering unsafe or damaging content. Critics, however, warn that age verification tools may misidentify users, create privacy risks or fail to stop determined teenagers from using alternative accounts. Others argue that removing teens from regulated platforms might push them toward unmonitored apps, reducing online safety rather than improving it. Australian authorities expect challenges in the early weeks of implementation but maintain that the long-term goal is to reduce risks for the youngest generation of online users.

 Australia is introducing a world-first ban blocking under-16s from most major social media platforms, and Meta has begun shutting down or freezing teen accounts in advance of the law taking effect.  From 10 December, Australians under 16 will be barred from using platforms including Instagram, Facebook, Threads, TikTok, YouTube, X, Reddit, Snapchat and others, with services facing fines up to A$50m if they do not take “reasonable steps” to keep underage users out. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has called the measure “world-leading”, arguing it will protect children from online pressure, unwanted contact and other risks.  Meta’s account shutdown plan Meta has started messaging users it believes are 13–15 years old, telling them their Instagram, Facebook and Threads accounts will be deactivated from 4 December and that no new under-16 accounts can be created from that date.Affected teens are being urged to update contact details so they can be notified when eligible to rejoin and are given options to download and save their photos, videos and messages before deactivation.  Teens who say they are old enough to stay on the platforms can challenge Meta’s decision by submitting a “video selfie” for facial age estimation or uploading a driving licence or other government ID. These and other age-assurance tools were recently tested for the government by the Australian Childrens’ eSafety provider, which concluded that no single foolproof solution exists and that each method has trade-offs. Enforcement, concerns and workarounds Australia’s e-Safety Commissioner says the goal is to shield teens from harm while online, but platforms warn tech-savvy young people may try to circumvent restrictions and argue instead for laws requiring parental consent for under-16s. In a related move, Roblox has said it will block under-16s from chatting with unknown adults and will introduce mandatory age verification for chat in Australia, New Zealand and the Netherlands from December before expanding globally.  The e-Safety regulator has listed the services subject to the ban: Facebook, Instagram, Kick, Reddit, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, X and YouTube. Exempt services include Discord, GitHub, Google Classroom, Lego Play, Messenger, Roblox, Steam and Steam Chat, WhatsApp and YouTube Kids, which are viewed as either educational, messaging-focused or more controlled environments for younger users.

Australia bans social media accounts for under 16s, but how the law will work remains unclear. Platforms face fines up to A$50M for non-compliance.

Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen shared this plan during the opening of Parliament's autumn session. She spoke plainly, stating that smartphones and social

OPIUO - 18+ in Houston, Texas on Nov 14, 2025 at 9:00 pm. Find tickets and more information here.

KOTA KINABALU, March 4 — The state government may implement new regulations to enhance the safety of Mount Kinabalu climbers. Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk...

YouTube - SAY NO TO FLAWED AGE VERIFICATIONS!