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We've curated views, research, resources and expert opinion from all over the world including:
  • AI generated child sex abuse material, phone bans, and bad bots are all on the rise
  • Health warnings are recommended for social media by the US Surgeon General
  • X and Elon Musk push back on regulators whilst the Founder of Telegram is arrested
  • Major regulatory moves in the US hit political and judicial roadblocks
  • Plus, more new tools, expert opinions and research from around the globe

Learning from our cybersecurity counterparts

As emerging technologies continue to reshape the online threat landscape and create new avenues for misinformation, exploitation, and harm, it's clear the overlap between online safety and cybersecurity is more important than ever before.
Both communities are united in the mission to create safer and more trustworthy spaces online – but there are five lessons from the cyber security industry that online safety practitioners can apply to build a safer internet. In this article we look at key strengths of the cybersecurity response, how to replicate them in online safety, and the practical way we're trying to do that at the Online Safety Exchange.

Emerging

AI and CSAM
Concerns are rising that a flood of AI generated child abuse content will overwhelm reporting and law enforcement resources as images are so lifelike.

Rise of the phone ban
Schoolwide phone bans are on the rise justified by safety concerns whilst others recommend wider age based bans despite mixed evidence on effectiveness.

Bad Bots
A report by Imperva revealed that bots make up 47% of all internet traffic, with “bad bots” comprising 30%. Finds bad bots are successfully exploiting business logic.

Health Warnings on Social Media?
The U.S. Surgeon General called for social media platforms to include health warnings for younger users. In his view social media has emerged as an important contributor to the mental health crisis and suggested labels stating "... that social media is associated with significant mental health harms for adolescents".

Research

Online Experiences & Youth Body Image

Research from the NZ Classification Office and Netsafe into the online experiences influencing the mental and emotional wellbeing of young people in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Adolescent Brains & Internet Addiction
Adolescents with an internet addiction undergo changes in the brain that could lead to additional addictive behaviour and tendencies, finds a study by UCL researchers.

Online Safety Fears Dominate for Parents

A poll of 800 UK parents of children aged eight to 16 by Tesco mobile, found 65% claim keeping their youngster safe online is their top worry - ahead of bullying.

Telegram Founder Pavel Durov Arrested
Pavel Durov, Founder of the Telegram messaging service, was arrested in France, facing charges including drug trafficking, child exploitation, and money laundering. Russia and Elon Musk condemned the arrest, whilst others noted it may be setting a dangerous precedent. Telegram has defended Durov, stating that the platform abides by legal standards, and critics argue this could lead to increased censorship across tech platforms.

Regulation Roundup
An OECD report notes that the number of online safety regulators in OECD countries has risen from two (Australia and Korea) in 2022 to twenty-one in 2024 - and that without adequate international coordination there are risks of fragmentation and associated costs.
Australia: ESafety gives the industry six months to draft new online safety codes for children whilst a voluntary code for dating apps comes into effect. X Corp continues its legal challenges.
Ireland: Big tech firms insist new Online Safety Code for children from the Coimisiun na Mean is 'overreaching'. The High Court dismisses challenges from Reddit and Tumbler to being included in the video-sharing platforms online safety code.

Malaysia: The Government is set to introduce online safety legislation in October that includes provision for an internet "kill switch".
Sri Lanka: A bill is introduced to reduce the powers of the Online Safety Commission. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights recommends repealing the Online Safety Act.

United Kingdom: There were multiple calls for the Online Safety Act to be revisited in light of disinformation fueled riots. Meanwhile, Ofcom expands its team to over 400 to enforce the existing provisions.
United States: The much anticipated Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) passed in the Senate but then stalled in the House of Congress. Courts block key aspects of the California Age-Appropriate Design Code Act and the Texas Securing Children Online Through Parental Empowerment Act to protect free speech. New York moves to ban "addictive" social media algorithms for kids.

Challenging Regulations Around the Globe
X has taken legal action against US state laws, it has an ongoing dispute with eSafety Australia and a scrap with the EU about consents was deescalated after X agreed to limit data use. The UK called out Elon Musk for his personal posts during riots there, but didn't have tools to stop him. Now Brazil has banned X for failing to appoint a local legal representative.

Industry

Tools for Educators
New resources are designed to help educators understand how students use Snapchat, the key protections available, and explains their resources to assist schools.

Kids Safety Content

Leader Entertainment and YouTube Kids launches the educational campaign “Bartolito’s Awesome Internet Adventures" extending the Be Internet Awesome resources

Extra Analysis and Opinions

Join and Contribute

The Online Safety Exchange (OSX) is focused on the development of best practice online safety operations and operators - with a focus on working together to foster safer internet experiences. If you'd like to contribute something to a future newsletter, please email news@onlinesafetyexchange.org. We have also created a member-only platform to connect the growing network of online safety experts working in public, private, or civil society - join the OSX Network now.
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