UK to ban social media access for children under 16
via Punch Nigeria3 min read
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced a forthcoming ban on social media for children under 16, citing concerns that these platforms make children unhappy, expose them to dangerous content, and are designed to be addictive. The ban will include platforms like Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and X, but not messaging services such as WhatsApp. The government aims to pass the regulation by late December, with the ban taking effect in spring next year. Starmer also indicated plans for "world-leading action on gaming services and live streaming platforms," and the government is considering overnight curfews and breaks in infinite scrolling for under 18s. This move follows Australia's similar ban in December and a UK government consultation where 91% of responding parents backed a minimum age of 16. A YouTube spokesperson warned that a blanket ban could push children towards "less safe services." The UK government also recently mandated that tech giants like Apple and Google introduce safety features within three months to prevent children from sending and receiving nude images, threatening legislation if they fail to comply. This initiative aims to protect children from coercion, abuse, and sextortion, with the government citing an Internet Watch Foundation analysis that 91% of online child sexual abuse reports in 2024 involved self-generated content.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick in Argentina's 3-0 win against Algeria in their 2026 FIFA World Cup Group J opener, but his emotional reaction after the first goal drew significant attention. The Inter Miami captain was seen crying immediately after scoring. Messi, 38, later clarified that his tears were "completely unrelated to football," stating he had experienced "difficult days" and was grateful for the support from his teammates and the delegation. Messi's goals came in the 17th, 60th, and 76th minutes, marking his first World Cup hat-trick and bringing his total World Cup goals to 16, matching Miroslav Klose. This match was also his 200th appearance for Argentina and his sixth World Cup tournament. At nearly 39, Messi became the oldest player to score a World Cup hat-trick and a brace in the competition's history. The win provides Argentina with a strong start in Group J.
The Ondo State Government has formed a steering committee for its safe schools program, aiming to protect students from kidnapping and other criminal activities. This initiative aligns with the Federal Government's Safe Schools Initiative, which seeks to safeguard students, teachers, and educational infrastructure from violence. The committee, inaugurated in Akure, includes representatives from the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Amotekun Corps, religious and traditional leaders, and the Parents-Teachers Association. Igbekele Ajibefun, the state Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology and chairman of the committee, stated that its purpose is to provide strategic direction and enhance coordination among stakeholders to prevent security threats in educational institutions. Akindele Ige, Permanent Secretary of the ministry and committee secretary, noted that the committee's formation is a direct response to increasing security threats against schools, emphasizing that effective learning cannot occur in an environment of insecurity.
Argentina captain Lionel Messi has become the joint all-time leading goalscorer in the World Cup after scoring a hat-trick in Argentina's 3-0 victory over Algeria. Messi's three goals, his first hat-trick in a World Cup, bring his total to 16, matching Germany's Miroslav Klose. Brazilian great Ronaldo is next on the list with 15 goals, followed by Gerd Muller and France's Kylian Mbappe. Messi described the achievement as a "beautiful moment" to share with his family and teammates, but downplayed its significance, stating, "ultimately, it is just a statistic, nothing more." Argentina's coach Lionel Scaloni praised Messi, saying he no longer had "the words to describe Messi" and that he inspires everyone. Midfielder Alexis Mac Allister emphasized Messi's continued importance to the team, while Rodrigo De Paul called him "a beast."