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Sarah Curnow: “Every photo, message and memory from the past 16 years was gone.”

Instagram falsely accused me of vile behaviour. Now I’m locked out of my life

Meta banned me over mistaken “child sexual exploitation, abuse and nudity” alerts. This is the same tech giant that’s just been fined more than $500 million for enabling child sexual exploitation.

  • Sarah Curnow

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Ezra Burke, pictured with their cat, Patrice, bought a ChatGPT subscription when their NDIS support for psychotherapy was cut, and feels conflicted about using it.

Amid screentime panic, we must help teens where they are looking for answers

Phones and technology are undeniably a problem for teen mental health. But we should not discount how they could be a solution.

  • The Herald's View
Mark Zuckerberg arrives at Los Angeles Superior Court ion Wednesday to give evidence in a landmark trial over social media addiction.

If we’re serious about social cohesion, these big tech hate machines must be reined in

The social media feeds that once connected us are now driving us apart. We must regain control from big tech’s greedy and reckless algorithms.

  • Chanel Contos
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‘Conscious decision’: How Peta created a screen-free space for her family

To nix binge-watching and endless scrolling, and encourage real-world connection, there is demand for screen-free spaces in homes.

  • Alice Uribe
How to stop overthinking.

The simple shower hack that could finally stop your brain from spiralling

Stuck in a loop of persistent, unhelpful thoughts? Forget doomscrolling, drinking or binge-watching – there are better ways to stop overthinking.

  • Amanda Hooton
Fifth-year law student and paralegal Lucy Long uses a Barbie flip phone.

Why law student Lucy replaced her iPhone with a Barbie flip phone

The popularity of so-called “dumb phones” is climbing, particularly among younger Australians looking for a social media break.

  • Siena Fagan
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Seeking talking points? Why not start with a fellow human.

A billion chatbot users can’t be wrong … or can they? Let’s ask a human

It’s a job description for the 21st century: human-AI relationship coach. But this job is all about the humans.

  • Parmy Olson
Jack Okill has been creating social media content since he was 10.

I’m 15 and I’ve been podcasting for five years. Do you expect me to stop now?

I’ve been interviewing people about politics since I was 10. This social media ban stifles democracy.

  • Jack Okill
Illustration by Simon Letch

I wrote the book on anxious kids. It doesn’t matter if this ban isn’t perfect

The American author of The Anxious Generation writes that parents around the world are cheering on Australia as its pioneering social media law comes into effect today.

  • Jonathan Haidt
The social media ban for under 16s begins in Australia on Wednesday, December 10.

Why Australia’s social media ban for under 16s is set to go global

The new law will not solve every problem with “surveillance capitalism” and predatory online behaviour, but it shows governments can address public worries and not just shrug them off.

  • Terry Flew