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Instagram is “reimagining” how people under 18 will experience the platform from now on. Called “Teen Accounts”, the new settings will have a bundle of safety, privacy and parental supervision features switched on by default.
The changes are a step in the right direction towards keeping teens safe online, writes Tama Leaver. But it’s taken Instagram 14 years and it’s hot on the heels of the government’s pledge to bar young people from social media altogether.
Meta’s also banning user-made filters from Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram. Typically used to beautify users’ appearances, they’ve been linked to mental health and body image problems. But as Lauren A. Miller points out, unrealistic beauty standards have been entrenched on these platforms for years.
For parents of younger kids, there’s finally some clarity from the Productivity Commission on the proposed revamp of Australia’s childcare system.
Under the commission’s recommendations, from next year parents would no longer have to work or study to get childcare subsidies. But the push for all kids under five to have access to three days a week of high-quality care has a 2036 deadline, meaning it won’t be up and running for kids born this decade.
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Signe Dean
Science + Technology Editor
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Tama Leaver, Curtin University
Meta has revised how teenagers will experience Instagram. It’s a win – especially if it prompts parents to talk to their kids about online safety.
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Lauren A. Miller, Swinburne University of Technology
Meta has announced third-party augmented reality filters will no longer be available on its apps as of January 2025. The removal comes far too late.
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Melissa Tham, Victoria University
A new report also recommends free early education and care for families earning under $80,000 from 2026.
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Amin Saikal, Australian National University
Both sides have been ratcheting up their attacks for months without crossing the line into a full-scale war. This attack, however, will likely lead to a major escalation.
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Justine Bell-James, The University of Queensland
Australia’s main environment laws have long been regarded as not fit for purpose. But efforts to strengthen environmental protection have met huge pushback.
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Michelle Grattan, University of Canberra
Greens leader Adam Bandt joins us to talk about the immediate impasse as well as his party's broad agenda including its demands if Labor fell into minority at the election.
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Freya Higgins-Desbiolles, University of South Australia
A report on the future impact of climate change has found more than 150 Australian tourism sites are at risk, but it probably underestimates the potential damage.
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Evangeline Gardiner, The University of Queensland; Amy Kirkegaard, The University of Queensland; Breanna Lepre, The University of Queensland; Lauren Ball, The University of Queensland; Mark Robinson, The University of Queensland
Policymakers and health researchers are increasingly recognising the harms of stigmatising language and attitudes towards larger-bodied people.
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Claire Dale, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau
There is not enough money for New Zealand’s aged care sector – and the demand is only going to rise. The government needs to look at Australia for ways to ensure access for all.
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Ned Curthoys, The University of Western Australia
Arendt maintained that our ‘common sense’ depends on our good will and curiosity, our adventurous enjoyment of testing opinions and perspectives against those of others.
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Bruce Yabsley, University of Sydney
The ATLAS experiment has found quantum entanglement in yet another system: quarks at high energies.
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Politics + Society
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Michelle Grattan, University of Canberra
Big increases in government spending on child care have been recommended by the Productivity Commission, that would see families earning up to $80,000 fully subsidised under the Child Care Subsidy.
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Michelle Grattan, University of Canberra
The former Labor minister says the Albanese government has been too defensive on key issues.
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Gareth Evans, Australian National University
While there are many reasons to despair at the state of the world right now, there are also plenty of reasons for optimism - and power in embracing it.
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Health + Medicine
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Andrew Goodman, CSIRO; Georgina Chelberg, University of Canberra; Ray Mahoney, CSIRO
Researching what digital health interventions work for Indigenous people is effective when it’s Indigenous-led, based on trust, and engages local values and protocols.
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Bruce Watt, Bond University; Katarina Fritzon, Bond University
Even Hannibal Lecter from The Silence of the Lambs had confusing labels. Was he a psychopath, a sociopath or something else entirely?
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Science + Technology
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Christopher Blake, Monash University; Michael J. McDonald, Monash University
It’s not easy to tell when a dynamic system, filled with life, might reach a point of no return.
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Steve D'Alessandro, Edith Cowan University
Almost all online ads are now automated. And they’re becoming more and more annoying.
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Corey J. A. Bradshaw, Flinders University; Christian Reepmeyer, Deutsches Archäologisches Institut - German Archaeological Institute; Theodora Moutsiou, University of Cyprus
Pig-sized hippos and elephants the size of horses once roamed the lush forests of Cyprus – until humans arrived.
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Environment + Energy
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Monica Fahey, Macquarie University; Emilie Ens, Macquarie University; Maurizio Rossetto, The University of Queensland; Oliver Costello, Indigenous Knowledge; Patrick Cooke, Macquarie University
Pairing First Nations lore with genetic analysis lets us retrace how important food trees were deliberately moved thousands of years ago
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Education
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Judith Ireland, The Conversation; Matt Garrow, The Conversation
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said ‘parents are worried sick’ about kids and social media as he announced he would introduce a ban this year.
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Arts + Culture
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John McAloon, University of Technology Sydney
Directed by John Sheedy and adapted from the book of the same name by Craig Silvey, Runt is will appeal to older children and young adolescents.
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Books + Ideas
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Alexander Howard, University of Sydney
Creation Lake is currently longlisted for the Booker Prize. Our reviewer believes it’s one of the most important novels to have been published in recent memory.
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Business + Economy
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Doug Drury, CQUniversity Australia
Australia’s airline duopoly is already under heavy scrutiny, with domestic airfares up by more than 10% since the demise of Rex. In finals season, they can reach dizzying heights.
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