Social Media

Core Summary TikTok is facing a new investigation by the UK communications regulator Ofcom over its child age verification measures. This follows a review in May that criticized the platform for not being “safe enough” for children. The investigation could result in significant fines and stricter operational requirements. Event Details According to BBC reporting, Ofcom has launched a formal investigation into TikTok’s compliance with child safety regulations. The probe focuses on the platform’s age verification mechanisms and whether adequate protections are in place to prevent underage users from accessing inappropriate content. ...

Meta’s WhatsApp has officially launched username functionality, allowing users to chat without exchanging phone numbers. The feature will affect over 2 billion users worldwide.

The UK is introducing a social media ban for under-16s, but significant uncertainty remains about its impact on platforms like Roblox, YouTube, and WhatsApp.

Core Summary UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer formally announced on June 15 that the United Kingdom will implement a comprehensive social media ban for users under 16. Affected platforms include TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube, and Instagram. The measures are expected to take effect in early 2027, requiring tech companies to legally prevent minors from registering and using these services. The UK becomes the second major English-speaking nation, after Australia, to implement such age restrictions. ...

Top Doctors Warn: Social Media as Harmful to Youth as Smoking Leading medical experts have warned that social media is as harmful to young people’s health as tobacco smoking, sparking global discussion about protecting youth in the digital age. Medical Community’s Position Medical experts point to clear links between excessive social media use and youth mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, and body image problems. They are calling for stricter regulatory measures from governments, similar to past tobacco industry controls. ...

Meta released Instants on May 13, an iPhone app integrated with Instagram that supports ephemeral content sharing, competing with Snapchat.

Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey backs the relaunch of Vine as Divine, a short-form video app requiring all content to be human-made, in response to the flood of AI-generated content.

Divine, a Vine reboot project backed by Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey, officially opens to the public, featuring AI-assisted creation and decentralized architecture.

The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill passes the Commons by 272 to 64 votes. The government commits to imposing age or functionality restrictions for under-16s, with specific measures to be determined after a consultation ending May 26.

The Federal Trade Commission releases new data showing Americans lost a record $2.1 billion to social media-related scams in 2025.