Entertainment
Meta to remove under-16 Australians from Facebook, Instagram on December 4
Australians younger than 16 will be removed from Facebook and Instagram on December 4, tech giant Meta said Thursday, as Canberra prepares to enforce sweeping laws banning teens from social media.
From December 10, Australia will force social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, to remove users under the age of 16 or face hefty fines.
Meta said that it would start removing teenagers from its platforms ahead of the ban coming into force.
“From today, Meta will be notifying Australian users it understands to be aged 13-15 that they will lose access to Instagram, Threads and Facebook,” Meta said in a statement.
“Meta will begin blocking new under-16 accounts and revoking existing access from 4 December, expecting to remove all known under-16s by 10 December.”
There are around 350,000 Instagram users aged between 13-15 in Australia and around 150,000 Facebook accounts, according to government figures.
Meta has started warning impacted users that they will soon be locked out.
“Soon, you’ll no longer be able to use Facebook and your profile won’t be visible to you or others,” reads a message sent to impacted users.
“When you turn 16, we’ll let you know that you can start using Facebook again.”
Teenagers will be able to access their accounts “exactly as you left it” once they turn 16, Meta told them.
Hefty fines
Accounts that were flagged by mistake could verify their age using a “video selfie” or by providing government-issued ID.
Social media companies have previously described the laws as “vague”, “problematic” and “rushed”.
Meta again voiced its concerns on Thursday.
“We share the Australian Government’s goal of creating safe, age-appropriate online experiences, but cutting teens off from their friends and communities isn’t the answer.”
There is keen interest in whether Australia’s sweeping restrictions can work as regulators around the globe wrestle with the dangers of social media.
New Zealand’s Prime Minister, Christopher Luxon, will introduce a similar bill to restrict children’s social media use.
And the Dutch government advised parents this year to forbid children under 15 from using social media apps like TikTok and Snapchat.
Social media companies caught flouting the laws will face fines of up to Aus$49.5 million (US$32 million).
On paper, the ban is one of the strictest in the world.
But some experts are concerned that the law will be merely symbolic because of the difficulty in implementing and policing online age verification.
Entertainment
King Charles returns to Norfolk with no plans to see Andrew
King Charles has withdrawn to Sandringham for a strategic pause after a whirlwind week packed with public duties.
Yet despite the Norfolk estate placing him only a short distance from his younger brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, palace insiders say there are no plans for a reunion.
The King arrived at the estate just before on Saturday, reportedly driving himself through the gates in a black Range Rover after flying in by helicopter the day before.
On Thursday, Charles was in West Sussex meeting military families and even inspecting an air defence missile system that raised eyebrows and cameras alike.
The following day, he made an unannounced stop at Northwood, widely regarded as the operational heart of UK defence strategy.
Meanwhile, just a short drive away at Wood Farm, the cottage where the late Prince Philip spent his final years Andrew remains under tight restrictions following his recent arrest.
Sources suggest that his movements are now carefully monitored.
One insider claimed he has been advised against horse riding for now, with concerns that images of him enjoying himself could send the wrong message.
“Riding was one of the few things he genuinely enjoyed. It leaves the question, how exactly will he pass the time?,” A source told The Sun
The monarch appears determined to maintain clear boundaries during a period that continues to test both the institution and the family behind it.
Entertainment
Dua Lipa declared ‘Queen of Pop’ after surprise performance at BRITs
Dua Lipa sent fans into frenzy with a surprise performance at the BRITs on Saturday, February 28, after she skipped the red carpet.
The 30-year-old pop superstar took the stage to perform her hit song, Dance The Night, during producer Mark Ronson’s set after the ceremony had already began and she was nowhere to be seen.
The Levitating hitmaker honoured the iconic producer behind many hit pop songs ranging from Amy Winehouse to Billie Eilish.
During the ceremony, Ronson was honoured with an accolade for Outstanding Contribution to Music, and Lipa was joined by Lily Allen, and RAYE for a medley tribute of his songs Uptown Funk, Back to Black, as well as Electricity.
Fans, who missed the Fever songstress’ live performances, excitedly shared the videos of her performance on social media, declaring that the “queen of pop is back!”
One X user wrote, “SHE JUST RENEWED HER POP GIRL LICENSE OH MY GOD,” and “BRITs saved the best for last,” another declared.
Many echoed that the “BRITs are not possible without dua lipa.”
Entertainment
Kelly Osbourne attends BRITs with mom Sharon as late dad Ozzy is honoured
Kelly Osbourne walked the BRITs red carpet with her mom Sharon Osbourne on Saturday, February 28, where her late father Ozzy Osbourne will be honoured for his lasting legacy.
The 41-year-old singer and actress appeared at the ceremony in matching black outfits at the Co-Op Live in Manchester.
Kelly donned a strapless dress with a fur coat over her shoulders, while Sharon sported a tuxedo-style frock with a bowtie draped untied from her neck.
The British award show will present the Black Sabbath frontman with a Lifetime Achievement Award posthumously, for his legendary contribution to Rock music.
Kelly and Sharon’s red carpet outing comes after the Prince of Darkness’ daughter addressed harsh comments about her recent drastic weight loss.
Kelly took to social media and shared an Instagram Story, which read, “Literally can’t believe how disgusting some human beings truly are. No one deserves this sort of abuse! This too shall pass, but like, holy f—.”
The social media story in February was not the first time she addressed her weight loss comments. Previously in December, she made a video saying, “I’m just here to say, what do you expect from me? What do you expect me to look like right now? The fact that I’m getting out of bed and facing my life and trying to be more than enough, I should be commended for that.”
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