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Instagram Adds Teen Safety Alerts

Instagram will begin notifying parents when teenagers repeatedly search for content related to self-harm or suicide within a short timeframe.

The feature will be available through the platform’s optional supervision settings, allowing guardians to receive alerts about concerning search patterns.

The update comes as several governments consider stricter measures to protect young users online, including potential restrictions on access to social media for minors.

The platform said the alerts build on existing safeguards that block harmful searches and redirect users to support resources.

The move reflects growing global pressure on digital platforms to strengthen safety mechanisms for younger audiences.

Zuckerberg Defends Instagram Policies in Court

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg testified in a Los Angeles trial, denying claims that Instagram intentionally targets children under 13.

The case centers on allegations that social media platforms harmed a user’s mental health during childhood. Lawyers presented internal company documents suggesting discussions around engaging younger audiences, while Zuckerberg maintained that Meta does not permit users below the minimum age requirement.

He acknowledged past internal conversations about creating safer versions of services for younger users but stated such plans were never implemented.

The lawsuit forms part of a broader wave of legal challenges facing major technology companies over their impact on young users’ wellbeing.

Meta has argued that its platforms include safety measures and that verifying user age remains a broader industry challenge.

The trial could influence future legal debates around platform responsibility and digital product design.

UK Introduces 48-Hour Rule for Image Removal

The United Kingdom is set to require technology platforms to remove nonconsensual intimate images within 48 hours of being reported or face significant financial penalties.

Under proposed legal changes, companies that fail to act within the deadline could be fined up to 10 percent of their eligible global revenue and may even risk having their services restricted.

The move comes as part of broader efforts to strengthen online protections, particularly in response to growing concerns about digital abuse and the misuse of artificial intelligence to create explicit content.

While sharing such material is already illegal in the UK, victims have often struggled to ensure its permanent removal. The new rules aim to simplify the process by allowing individuals to report content once, after which platforms must prevent its reappearance across their services.

Media regulator Ofcom is also considering new technical requirements, including the use of hash-matching systems to detect and block illegal material before it spreads.

The initiative forms part of a wider debate around online safety, including discussions on potential limits for younger users on social media platforms.