Latest Stories

An eyebrow pencil, the Online Safety Act, and the case for going further

New UK research finds age checks are easy to fool, and that the things parents most want regulated aren't even in the Act yet.

Australia just changed the rules. The algorithm is now the target.

Five months into the world's first under-16 social media ban, Australia has quietly amended the rules to put the algorithm itself in scope.

Who should verify your child’s age — the app, or the phone?

A fight is unfolding in US courts and Congress over whether apps or app stores should verify your child's age.

The UK now has the power to restrict children’s social media

The Children's Wellbeing and Schools Act is now law. The government can restrict under-16s' access to social media features without a new Act of Parliament.

Meta is now using AI to catch kids who lied about their age

Meta's expanding its AI age-detection tool to Facebook in the US and Instagram across 27 EU countries. Here's what it changes for your child's account.

A judge is deciding whether to force Meta to redesign Instagram for children

A New Mexico trial could force Meta to ban infinite scroll, require age checks, and link every child's account to a parent. The school districts trial follows in June.

YouTube has finally given parents an off switch for Shorts

YouTube has rolled out a zero-minute limit for Shorts. On supervised teen accounts, the limit is enforced. The setting takes thirty seconds.

When Should Kids Get a Phone? The Full Picture for Parents

The research, the readiness questions, the alternatives, and what to put in place if the answer is yes.

Roblox Kids and Select accounts: what changes in June

Roblox is splitting under-16 accounts into two age groups from June 2026. What the new defaults mean and three things to check before it happens.

GLOBAL NEWS

We’ve rebuilt the Wired Parents Scorecard

New social media age recommendations for 20 platforms, from Minecraft to Kick. Plus a new bullying category and four platforms parents have been asking about.

We’ve rebuilt the Wired Parents Scorecard

New social media age recommendations for 20 platforms, from Minecraft to Kick. Plus a new bullying category and four platforms parents have been asking about.

We’ve rebuilt the Wired Parents Scorecard

New social media age recommendations for 20 platforms, from Minecraft to Kick. Plus a new bullying category and four platforms parents have been asking about.