Safety

Six months into Australia’s social media ban, most under-16s are still logging in

Six months into Australia's under-16 ban, more than 85% of children are still logging in, and the age checks meant to stop them are failing.

Latest in Safety

Roblox has split under-16s into two tiers, and an age check now decides the rest

Roblox has split under-16s into Kids (5-8) and Select (9-15) accounts worldwide. What each tier allows, why the age check matters, and the settings to check.

What Toy Story 5 gets right about screens and play

Toy Story 5 makes a child's tablet the antagonist, then refuses to call it evil. What the film gets right about screen time, play and the balance between them.

How to switch on the nudity blur built into your child’s phone

Both iPhone and Android can blur explicit images before a child sees them, on the device, for free. How to check it's on and switch it on if it isn't.

How a child’s ordinary photo becomes a fake nude, and how to respond

AI nudify apps can turn a child's ordinary photo into a fake nude. How the harm spreads in schools, what the law now says, and the steps that protect and support a child.

The UK has told Apple and Google to block nude images on children’s phones

The UK has given Apple and Google until September to block children taking or viewing nude images on their phones.

The UK is following Australia’s under-16 social media ban — and going further

The UK has announced an Australia-style ban on under-16s using TikTok, Instagram and more from 2027, enforced through age checks.

The screen-time rules worth keeping when school stops

When school stops, most screen-time rules can loosen. Two shouldn't. What to hold for the phone kids, the gamers, and what you can let go.

The UN has set out ten steps for protecting children online

The UN human rights office has published ten steps it wants governments to adopt to keep children safer online. Here is what the guidance actually says.

Instagram can now read your teen’s private messages

Meta removed end-to-end encryption from Instagram direct messages on 8 May 2026.

After Molly Russell, Pinterest did the work most platforms still won’t

Pinterest scores 2.5 on the Wired Parents Scorecard, not as bad as its reputation.

How to read an official warning about your child’s screen time, without taking it on trust

A US health advisory on children's screens made global headlines this week. Here is what is actually inside it, and the one habit that helps parents read the next one.

What changed on Snap, Meta and Roblox this week — and what TikTok and YouTube refused to change

Snap, Meta and Roblox agreed to specific child safety changes. TikTok and YouTube refused. The settings parents should check on each platform.

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.

Roblox just raised the age for its most popular games to 16

From 19 May, Roblox restricts Social Hangouts, free-form roleplay games and sensitive content to ID-verified 16+ users.

AI & Safety

Six months into Australia’s social media ban, most under-16s are still logging in

Six months into Australia's under-16 ban, more than 85% of children are still logging in, and the age checks meant to stop them are failing.

Roblox has split under-16s into two tiers, and an age check now decides the rest

Roblox has split under-16s into Kids (5-8) and Select (9-15) accounts worldwide. What each tier allows, why the age check matters, and the settings to check.

What Toy Story 5 gets right about screens and play

Toy Story 5 makes a child's tablet the antagonist, then refuses to call it evil. What the film gets right about screen time, play and the balance between them.

How to switch on the nudity blur built into your child’s phone

Both iPhone and Android can blur explicit images before a child sees them, on the device, for free. How to check it's on and switch it on if it isn't.

How a child’s ordinary photo becomes a fake nude, and how to respond

AI nudify apps can turn a child's ordinary photo into a fake nude. How the harm spreads in schools, what the law now says, and the steps that protect and support a child.

The UK has told Apple and Google to block nude images on children’s phones

The UK has given Apple and Google until September to block children taking or viewing nude images on their phones.

The UK is following Australia’s under-16 social media ban — and going further

The UK has announced an Australia-style ban on under-16s using TikTok, Instagram and more from 2027, enforced through age checks.

Apple just gave parents the controls they’ve been asking for

Apple is adding per-category time limits, website approval and a redesigned Screen Time this autumn.