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mental health

Social media bans for minors spread as early data shows widespread workarounds

Illustration accompanying article: Social media bans for minors spread as early data shows widespread workarounds
  • More than 20 countries have enacted or proposed bans restricting minors from social media platforms, with Australia first to enforce its December 2025 law on children under 16 and the United Kingdom following shortly after.
  • YouTube and Meta have paid out or settled more than $17 billion this year in lawsuits alleging the platforms deliberately targeted children and misled the public about safety, including an August 2026 Meta settlement with a group of states for $17 billion.
  • Australia's safety commissioner reported 7 in 10 children with restricted-platform accounts retained them, and more than 80% of Australian teens ages 10 to 15 still use social media frequently; early evidence from the ban shows roughly 61% of children ages 12 to 15 continue accessing the platforms via false IDs, altered appearances or virtual private networks.
  • Some researchers argue social media bans resemble age restrictions on alcohol or cigarettes, but Lightman and others note the platforms provide global connectivity, community-building, self-expression and civic engagement, especially for teens disconnected from local communities.
  • Carnegie Mellon professor Ari Lightman said "there isn't clear evidence that spending time on these platforms is the main cause of their mental health problems," recommending safety-by-default standards over outright bans.
 2026-10-16 · 6 MIN READ

Inquest hears Chapman diagnosed with schizophrenia before Yorkshire Wildlife Park tiger death

Illustration accompanying article: Inquest hears Chapman diagnosed with schizophrenia before Yorkshire Wildlife Park tiger…
  • An inquest opening in Doncaster heard that William Chapman, 24, was killed by a Siberian tiger at Yorkshire Wildlife Park on 10 October after climbing over two fences into the animal's enclosure.
  • The hearing was told Chapman had been diagnosed with schizophrenia but was "highly functioning and independent with no care requirements," and his family had expressed concerns about his contact with local mental health services.
  • The Rotherham, Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust has launched an investigation into Chapman's contact with its services, the court heard.
  • Senior coroner Nicola Mundy said her office was awaiting a more substantial report on the extent of Chapman's injuries, with a full inquest scheduled for 18 March next year.
  • Chapman's family said footage of the attack shared by US President Donald Trump on Truth Social was "deeply offensive" and was causing them "severe distress."
 2026-10-15 · 3 MIN READ
Illustration accompanying article: Clinical trials probe whether heat can treat depression and anxiety