United News of Bangladesh

The families of four teenagers who died by suicide have filed a lawsuit against Meta, TikTok, Snapchat and YouTube, claiming the social media platforms caused years of harm that contributed to the deaths of their children. The lawsuit, filed Thursday in Delaware Superior Court, is the latest in a growing number of legal cases accusing major social media companies of designing addictive platforms that put young users at risk. The case was brought by the Social Media Victims Law Center on behalf of four families from Texas, North Carolina, Minnesota and Tennessee. The teenagers died over a 14-month period between July 2024 and September 2025. According to the complaint, the four teens experienced social media addiction, severe sleep loss, depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts after years of using the platforms. The victims were Livi Castro, 13, Riv Kelleher, 14, Nathaniel Chambers, 17, and Dawson Holden, 18. The lawsuit alleges that the companies were aware of the harmful effects of their platforms on young users but failed to take adequate action. Matthew Bergman, founder of the Social Media Victims Law Center, said the deaths occurred even after similar lawsuits had already been filed against the companies. "These platforms continue to put children's lives at risk despite repeated warnings," Bergman said. Google, the parent company of YouTube, expressed sympathy for the families and said it is reviewing the lawsuit. A company spokesperson said Google has worked with mental health and parenting experts to develop age-appropriate experiences for young users and provide parents with stronger safety controls. Meta, TikTok and Snap, the parent company of Snapchat, did not immediately comment on the lawsuit. Sacha Haworth, executive director of the Tech Oversight Project, said parents, campaigners and whistleblowers have warned lawmakers for years about the dangers of social media, while progress on new safety laws has been slow. The US Senate passed the Kids Online Safety Act two years before this lawsuit was filed, but the legislation has yet to become law because Congress has not reached agreement on its final version. The four companies are already facing several lawsuits from states and individuals over claims that their platforms harm children's mental health. Meta is currently defending a lawsuit in Tennessee, where state officials accuse the company of making Instagram intentionally addictive for young users without properly warning them about the risks. The company is also due to face trial in federal court in California later this month over claims brought by several states that it contributed to the youth mental health crisis and illegally collected data from children under 13 without parental consent. While some lawsuits against social media companies have been dismissed or settled outside court, legal challenges continue to grow. Earlier this week, Meta said it spent $2.4 billion on legal expenses during the second quarter, contributing to a 14 percent decline in its quarterly profit.

The UK government on Wednesday announced plans to introduce a voluntary six-hour overnight social media curfew for 16- and 17-year-olds, aiming to reduce the harmful effects of excessive screen time among teenagers. Under the proposal, social media platforms would automatically activate a curfew from midnight, although teenagers would be able to turn the setting off if they choose. The Labour government also said features designed to keep users online for longer, such as autoplay videos, would be disabled by default for users aged 16 and 17. The latest proposal follows last month's announcement of a social media ban for children under 16, expected to take effect next spring. The planned ban would apply to platforms including Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and X, but would not cover messaging services such as WhatsApp and Signal. The new measures, announced during the final weeks of Prime Minister Keir Starmer's government, will require parliamentary approval. His expected successor, Andy Burnham, is widely expected to continue with the plans. Online Safety Minister Kanishka Narayan rejected suggestions that teenagers would simply disable the optional curfew. He said evidence from a recent pilot programme involving more than 300 teenagers and their parents across the UK showed a significant drop in overnight social media use, along with improvements in sleep and concentration. Narayan also said that when some platforms introduced similar default settings last October, more than 90 percent of teenagers chose to keep them enabled. "The evidence is clear, and I don't think it's fair to assume teenagers will all switch the settings off," he told Sky News. The opposition Conservative Party criticised the proposal. Laura Trott, the party's education spokesperson, questioned the effectiveness of a voluntary curfew, saying it "makes no sense." "Either the government believes 16- and 17-year-olds should use social media or it doesn't. A curfew they can simply turn off is unlikely to make any real difference," she said. The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC), the UK's leading children's charity, welcomed the move but said it would not be enough on its own. NSPCC Chief Executive Chris Sherwood said the measures could improve young people's online experience but warned that stronger action would still be needed to address addictive platform designs that encourage excessive screen time and affect children's wellbeing. Rachel de Souza, England's Children's Commissioner, described the proposal as a positive step, saying many young people want to reduce their social media use but struggle to do so. She added that she would closely monitor how the curfew is implemented to ensure it is effective.

Australia is preparing to tighten its laws banning children under the age of 16 from using social media, as the government admits many young users continue to access major platforms despite the restrictions. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the government is reviewing whether the existing law, which took effect on Dec. 10 last year, needs to be strengthened and whether regulators have sufficient authority to enforce it effectively. "We're working on that as a priority because this is something that other generations didn't have to deal with, which is why it's complex," Albanese told Parliament on Thursday. Speaking to the Australian Broadcasting Corp. on Friday, he said the government was examining whether the legislation was "as strong as possible" and whether eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant had all the powers needed to enforce the rules. Australia became the first country to introduce a nationwide ban preventing children under 16 from holding accounts on social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Since then, several other countries have introduced or proposed similar restrictions. Britain last week announced plans to stop children under 16 from accessing several social media platforms to reduce exposure to harmful content and excessive screen time. Canada, Brazil and Indonesia have also introduced age-based rules or proposed legislation for children's social media access, while France, Spain, Denmark, Thailand and South Korea are considering similar measures. In April, eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said she was considering legal action against Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok and YouTube, claiming the companies had not done enough to prevent underage Australians from using their platforms. Those platforms, along with X, Kick, Reddit, Threads and Twitch, face fines of up to 49.5 million Australian dollars (US$34 million) if they fail to take reasonable steps to remove accounts belonging to children under 16. Experts say recent data suggests the current restrictions are not working as intended. Lisa Given, an information sciences expert at Melbourne's RMIT University, said the government's latest move appeared to be driven by growing evidence that many children continue to use restricted platforms. Data released by the eSafety Commissioner in March showed that seven out of 10 underage children still had accounts on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok after the ban came into effect. She also cited a study published this week in the *British Medical Journal*, which found that 85% of surveyed Australian children aged 12 to 17 were still using restricted social media platforms. "I do think it's failing," Given said, adding that many young people themselves had described the policy as ineffective. According to ‘The Sydney Morning Herald’, Inman Grant said earlier this month that her office lacked sufficient authority to enforce the law effectively. "What I would say is a regulator is only as good as the tools and the resources that they're given," she was quoted as saying. The Associated Press sought comment from her office on Friday, but did not immediately receive a response. Given said stronger enforcement powers or alternative regulatory measures may be needed, adding that courts would likely have to determine what qualifies as the "reasonable steps" platforms are legally required to take. Albanese also said the government plans to move ahead with digital duty of care legislation, which would make online platforms more accountable for harm caused by their content and algorithms.

Britain will ban under-16s from using a range of social media platforms, Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on Monday, calling it a “big moment” for the country as the government moves to strengthen online protections for children. Starmer said he would push back against technology companies if they resist the new rules, which aim to shield children from harmful content and reduce excessive screen time. He said he was “not prepared to compromise on the safety and happiness of our children.” The decision places the United Kingdom among a growing number of countries tightening rules on children’s access to social media. Australia, Canada, Brazil and Indonesia have already introduced or proposed age-based restrictions, while countries including France, Spain, Denmark, Thailand and South Korea are exploring similar measures. The UK plan is expected to go further than Australia’s approach, which prevents under-16s from holding social media accounts and allows penalties for tech companies that fail to comply. Under the British rules, the ban will apply to platforms such as Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and X. However, messaging apps like WhatsApp and Signal will not be included. The government also plans to restrict strangers from contacting children on gaming and livestreaming platforms. The measures are expected to come into force early next year. Starmer, who has been in office for nearly two years and faces political pressure at home, said the policy could form part of his long-term legacy. He is seeking to introduce major reforms amid speculation of possible leadership challenges within his party. The prime minister, who has two teenage children, said success would mean a sharp fall in children using social media and a wider cultural shift in how young people grow up. He said the government is confident the ban will work, despite concerns raised by some children’s rights advocates. The move follows a public consultation that received 116,000 responses from parents, children and the tech industry. More than 90% supported restricting social media use for under-16s, according to the government. Esther Ghey, mother of 16-year-old Brianna Ghey, who was killed in 2023 by two teenagers exposed to harmful online content, said the ban could help save lives but must be backed by wider support measures, including after-school programmes. The policy could also create friction with the United States, which has warned against broad regulations that may affect free speech and place heavy burdens on American tech firms, according to the US Embassy in London. Starmer said he expected to discuss the issue with world leaders, including US President Donald Trump, at the G7 summit in France starting Monday. He said leaders generally agree on the need to protect children online, though differences remain over how far regulations should go. However, some experts have raised concerns. University of Cambridge professor Jon Crowcroft said such bans may be well-intentioned but could push children toward less safe online spaces and are difficult to enforce effectively.

Foreign bloggers and international visitors are increasingly sharing their experiences of feeling safe while living in or traveling across China, describing a level of security that allows them to move around freely day and night. Among them is Tatiana Kucherova, a 31-year-old Russian who has been living in Guiyang, the capital of southwest China's Guizhou Province, since 2016. Joking about life in the city, she said the biggest risk she faces at night is eating too many snacks at local night markets. Tatiana first came to China to study Chinese at Guizhou University, later completed a master's degree, found a job and eventually decided to settle there. She described Guiyang as a comfortable city with a lively nightlife, where she and her husband often enjoy late-night barbecues and evenings out with friends. What stands out most to her, however, is the sense of security. "In bars, I can leave my belongings on the table without worrying someone will take them," she said, adding that the feeling gives her peace of mind. Tatiana frequently posts photos and videos of Guizhou on social media, and says many of her friends abroad have become interested in visiting the province after seeing her content. Similar experiences are being shared by many foreign visitors as China sees a rise in international arrivals, supported by expanded visa-free entry policies, improved travel services and upgraded public facilities. Many travelers have posted videos showing everyday scenes that surprised them, including unattended luggage in public places, shopkeepers taking naps while leaving stores open and people walking alone at night without fear. A Spanish student in Beijing, Ana, recently accompanied three friends on their first trip to China. While visiting busy commercial districts in Shanghai, she said they felt comfortable carrying cameras and personal belongings without constantly worrying about theft. "I feel completely relaxed here. Even walking alone late at night doesn't make me nervous," she said. For many visitors, such experiences contrast with the safety concerns they often consider before traveling abroad. Some said they arrived expecting to take extra precautions, such as closely guarding their belongings or avoiding going out at night, only to find those measures unnecessary. French blogger Leo recently shared a video showing how he accidentally left his backpack on a bench along Shanghai's Bund waterfront. When he returned about 30 minutes later, the bag was still there. The video attracted millions of views online. An Italian content creator known as Carlo Wu said he continues to be impressed by seeing parcels left outside apartment doors and laptops unattended in public spaces even after living in Shanghai for four years. He also recalled a neighbor personally delivering a food order that had mistakenly been sent to the wrong apartment, saying such acts of kindness left a strong impression on him. According to China's Ministry of Public Security, criminal cases nationwide fell by 12.8 percent in 2025, reaching the lowest level this century. China also ranked as the world's third-safest place and fourth in the law-and-order index in Gallup's 2025 Global Safety Report. Experts attribute the country's security environment to a combination of legal enforcement, community-level governance, technological support and rapid emergency response systems. Kong Fanbin, dean of Nanjing University's Huazhi Institute for Global Governance, said public safety in China is supported not only by police but also by communities and grassroots organizations. Meanwhile, He Yanling said public security has long been treated as a key public service by Chinese authorities, with local-level governance playing an important role in maintaining social stability. Observers say China's long-term social stability, continued investment in public services and focus on peaceful development have also contributed to the strong sense of safety experienced by both residents and visitors.

A prize-winning writer from Trinidad and Tobago is at the center of a growing debate over artificial intelligence after questions emerged about whether AI was used in his award-winning short story. The controversy involves Jamir Nazir, one of five regional winners of the Commonwealth Short Story Prize announced on May 14. The final winner is expected to be named in June. Nazir’s story, ‘The Serpent in the Grove’, set in rural Trinidad, was praised by judges for its vivid language and imagery. One judge described the writing as “sublime” and “richly evocative.” However, questions soon surfaced online about whether the story may have been generated or assisted by artificial intelligence. The issue escalated after publisher Granta said it used an AI chatbot, Claude, to assess the text. According to Granta, the system concluded that the story was “almost certainly not produced unaided by a human.” Sigrid Rausing, publisher of Granta, said it remains unclear whether the award may have gone to work involving AI assistance, adding that the story could remain published until a final review is completed by the Commonwealth Foundation. She also noted the irony that AI tools are now being used to help detect possible AI-generated writing. Granta said its editors were not involved in selecting the winners beyond routine copy editing, and expressed concern over growing speculation around the case. Nazir could not be reached for comment, and no contact details were provided by the publishers. The case comes amid wider concern in the publishing world over the use of AI in creative writing, including recent incidents where book deals were withdrawn over similar allegations. The Commonwealth Foundation said it is taking the allegations seriously and has launched a review of the judging process. Its director-general Razmi Farook said the organisation aims to ensure its award system can address the growing challenges posed by AI in creative work. He added that while the issue is complex, the tone of public debate around it has become increasingly concerning. Online discussions have intensified, with users highlighting unusual phrases from the story and questioning its originality. Some have also pointed to inconsistencies in Nazir’s online presence and profile images. Nazir, who also has a poetry book listed on Amazon titled ‘Night Moon Love: Poems For All Those Who Have Loved Or Dreamed Of Love’, maintains a low online profile despite the recent attention. The author’s biography on the Commonwealth Foundation website states that he hopes readers reflect on moral questions raised by his work and the consequences of everyday choices.

Prosecutors in New Mexico have called for sweeping changes to social media platforms owned by Meta as a landmark trial enters its second phase, focusing on child safety concerns linked to apps like Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp. Opening statements began Monday in a three-week bench trial to determine whether Meta’s platforms constitute a public nuisance. In the first phase, a jury imposed $375 million in civil penalties, finding the company knowingly harmed children’s mental health and failed to address child sexual exploitation risks. State prosecutors are now urging the court to mandate fundamental reforms, including curbing addictive features, strengthening age verification systems and enhancing privacy settings to better protect minors. New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez said the earlier verdict challenged long-standing legal protections for tech firms under Section 230 of the US Communications Decency Act. The state has proposed a $3.7 billion plan aimed at addressing the impact of social media on children’s mental health. Measures include redesigning content recommendation algorithms to reduce engagement-driven exposure, limiting features such as infinite scrolling and push notifications, and introducing safeguards against exploitation. Prosecutors are also seeking requirements for parental oversight of child accounts and the appointment of a court-monitored safety supervisor to track compliance. Meta has opposed the proposals, arguing they are impractical and infringe on free speech and parental rights. The company has warned it could withdraw services from New Mexico if compelled to implement what it describes as excessive regulations. During the hearing, District Court Judge Bryan Biedscheid expressed caution about overstepping judicial authority, while legal experts noted that applying public nuisance laws to internet platforms remains largely untested. Meta’s legal team also questioned the feasibility of implementing state-specific changes to its apps, calling such demands technologically unworkable. The case is the first to go to trial among dozens filed by US states accusing Meta of contributing to a youth mental health crisis. Its outcome could have far-reaching implications for how social media platforms operate and are regulated across the country.

Iran has mocked US President Donald Trump with an AI-generated video after he extended a fragile ceasefire with Tehran, sparking a fresh wave of online trolling from Iranian accounts. The video, shared by the Iranian consulate in Hyderabad on X, satirises Trump’s decision to extend the ceasefire at what he described as Pakistan’s request. The post captioned the clip saying, “How was the ceasefire extended? The video is getting viral in Iran.” In the 45-second AI clip, a digital version of Trump, along with Vice President JD Vance and others, is shown waiting at a negotiation table while Iran’s delegation never arrives. The AI Trump is seen posting on a social media platform, saying, “We are having very great negotiations with Iran.” The video then shifts to a meme-style sequence inspired by SpongeBob SquarePants, showing a “2,000 years later” time jump as the characters continue waiting. Later, the AI Trump appears frustrated and tells the empty seats that if Iran does not come to talks, the United States would bomb them. He then asks, “So where are the Iranians?” An aide then hands him a note that reads, “Shut up, Trump.” The clip ends with the AI Trump saying he will extend the ceasefire at Pakistan’s request before leaving the room, drawing laughter in the video. In reality, Trump has said he extended the ceasefire indefinitely following a request from Pakistan, arguing it would give Iran more time to prepare a unified proposal to end the conflict. Iran, however, has said it is still undecided about returning to talks expected later this week in Pakistan’s capital. Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei, quoted by state media, said Tehran entered negotiations in good faith but accused the United States of lacking seriousness. Iran has also said it has not yet decided whether it will attend the next round of talks with Washington. With inputs from NDTV

A US YouTuber who caused widespread anger in South Korea with a series of offensive online stunts has been sentenced to six months in prison. The Seoul Western District Court on Wednesday found Ramsey Khalid Ismael, known online as Johnny Somali, guilty of several charges, including disrupting businesses and sharing fake sexually explicit content. Prosecutors had asked for a three-year jail term. Ismael was also accused of harassing people at an amusement park, creating disturbances at a convenience store by playing loud music and throwing noodles on a table, and causing similar disruptions on public transport. He was also charged with distributing deepfake videos without consent. The court said the 25-year-old showed serious disregard for South Korean laws and hurt many people through his livestreamed actions aimed at earning money on YouTube. He was taken into custody immediately after the verdict, as the court considered him a flight risk. In October 2024, Ismael triggered public outrage after posting a video of himself kissing and performing a lap dance on a statue honoring victims of Japan’s wartime sexual slavery. He later apologized, saying he did not understand the importance of the monument. Ismael, who had been banned from leaving South Korea during the trial, earlier told reporters he regretted his actions and wanted to apologize to the public.

Viral AI-generated videos styled like Lego animations are being used to spread pro-Iran narratives during the ongoing conflict, with experts warning they represent a powerful new form of propaganda. At first glance, the fast-paced and vividly coloured clips resemble scenes from animated films. However, the content often includes images of war, injured children, fighter jets and US President Donald Trump, presenting Iran as resisting what it portrays as a dominant global power, the United States. In a recent BBC podcast, a representative of Explosive Media, one of the main creators of such videos, acknowledged that the Iranian government is a “customer” of the outlet, despite earlier claims of being fully independent. The individual, who identified himself as Mr Explosive, said his small team uses the Lego-style format because it is easily understood across cultures. The videos are widely shared by Iranian and Russian state-linked social media accounts, reaching millions of viewers. Experts say the content is highly effective. Propaganda specialist Dr Emma Briant described the videos as “highly sophisticated,” noting that AI tools trained on Western data help create culturally familiar messages for global audiences. She said the clips have collectively drawn hundreds of millions of views. The videos often mix political messaging with controversial or unverified claims. Some include references to conspiracy theories, such as alleged links between US figures and the Epstein files, for which there is no credible evidence. In one widely circulated clip, a downed US pilot is shown being captured by Iranian forces. However, US officials said the pilot was rescued by special forces on April 4 and is receiving treatment in Kuwait. The producer rejected that account, offering an alternative version without evidence. Analysts say such content can shape perceptions by rapidly spreading misleading narratives. Some social media influencers have echoed the claims made in the videos, further amplifying their reach among English-speaking audiences. The clips have become more detailed in recent months, depicting specific locations in the Gulf region being destroyed by Iranian strikes. In reality, reports suggest damage in many cases has been limited. The videos are often released shortly after major developments in the conflict, sometimes even before official announcements, indicating a coordinated and fast-moving content strategy. Explosive Media’s representative defended working with the Iranian government, calling it an “honourable” role, and dismissed criticism over misinformation and alleged bias. Researchers say this type of AI-driven messaging signals a shift in how countries communicate during conflicts, bypassing traditional media channels and directly targeting global audiences. While social media platforms have removed some accounts sharing the videos, similar content continues to reappear, highlighting the challenges of controlling such rapidly evolving digital campaigns. Source: BBC