Social Media
Meta's Upgrades, Telegram's Legal Trouble & Australia's Teen Social Media Ban
Updated on Fri, Jun 20, 2025
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The social media landscape is changing fast—influencing how we share content and with whom, and how safe our data really is online.
Most social media businesses are taking steps to enhance the user experience, with social networking leader Meta making waves with new features. However, some platforms, like the cloud-based encrypted messaging tool Telegram, are facing legal challenges.
To add to this complex and dynamic arena is Australia’s social media ban for children under the age of 16, with new policies being tested and potentially rolled out. So, let’s explore what’s changed in the social media world recently.
Dive in!
Facebook, the social media giant with billions of users worldwide, is set to redefine how users share video content on its platform.
With an aim to simplify the creative process and enhance user experience, the platform announced that all videos will soon be shared as "reels,” without any length or format restrictions.
This shift is rolling out globally to profiles and pages over the coming months. Previously, creators faced a choice between uploading a longer video to their feed or crafting a concise reel, with each providing different creative tools and publishing flows.
"Now, we’re bringing these experiences together with a simplified publishing flow that gives you access to even more creative tools," Facebook stated.
A key factor of this update is the unification of privacy settings, with the default audience setting now consistent for both feed posts and video reels.
Users who have different settings for their feed posts and reels will be prompted to confirm or select a new audience setting when they begin posting reels after the change.
However, the control remains firmly in the user's hands, with options to share privately with friends or publicly to maximize reach.
In a related development, Facebook is also renaming its "Video tab" to the "Reels tab." Despite the renaming, the company says video recommendations will still match each user’s interests and offer a variety of topics and lengths from its growing creator community.
For those concerned about their existing video content, Facebook confirmed that previously shared videos will remain on profiles and pages. However, moving forward, every new video created and posted will turn into a reel.
Along with these changes to its videos, Facebook is also making moves to improve account security for its users.
Another major development from Facebook is the addition of passkeys for mobile users to make logging in easier and more secure. This new method replaces traditional passwords to better protect user accounts. It’s rolling out first on iOS and Android, with Messenger support coming soon.
Passkeys, developed by the FIDO Alliance (which includes Meta), are secure digital credentials that allow users to log in using biometrics like a fingerprint or face scan, or a device PIN.
Essentially, the biometric data or PIN used to create the passkey remains securely stored on the user's device and is never shared with or stored by Facebook.
This new technology comes with a powerful defense against common online threats like phishing and password spraying attacks. Unlike traditional passwords or even one-time SMS codes, passkeys are resistant to being intercepted or phished, which significantly increases protection against malicious actors.
"Passkeys can give you peace of mind about your account’s security – they can’t be guessed or easily stolen," stated a company representative. "And once created, they make it faster and easier than ever to log in to Facebook, no memorized password needed. All you’ll need is a compatible mobile device and a Facebook account."
Users will also be able to use expanded utility to secure autofill payment information with Meta Pay, even protecting encrypted message backups on Messenger.
Setting up a passkey is designed to be straightforward, accessible through the Accounts Center in Facebook's Settings menu, or even prompted during login.
Passkeys will be the main login method on mobile, but users can still use passwords on devices that don't support passkeys yet.
While Facebook tightens its user security, its sibling platform Threads is opening new doors for broader online conversations.
Threads, the social media platform from Meta, is making it simpler to connect with a wider world of online content.
The company just announced new features that bring more of the fediverse directly to your feed. For those not fully immersed in digital idioms, the “fediverse” is a vast, open network of interconnected yet independent social media servers.
Threads has been part of this network for a year, allowing users to share their posts with it. Now, it's making it easier to pull content from it.
Starting today, users who opt into fediverse sharing on Threads will discover a brand-new feed. This dedicated space will highlight posts from the followed federated users, even if the original content was published on other platforms like Mastodon, Bookwyrm, or WriteFreely.
This means if a prominent page or account posts on Mastodon and shares it to the fediverse, Threads’ users will see it right there in their feed, helping to broaden social media perspectives without having to jump between apps.
This new feed prioritizes the freshest content and displays posts in reverse chronological order. Beyond just viewing, Threads is also helping users to find and connect with these external voices.
You can now search for fediverse profiles directly within the Threads app. Simply type in a name—for example, "@flipboard@flipboard.social"—and if there's a match, their fediverse profile will pop up, easily identifiable by a distinct fediverse icon.
These new features represent a significant stride in Threads' ambition to be a more open and connected platform. The company reflected on its progress over the past year, which included expanding fediverse sharing globally and enabling users to see likes and followers from other fediverse servers.
Threads reports that it has interacted with over 75% of all fediverse servers since it first began sharing to the network a year ago. Now, its goal is to "grow the fediverse responsibly, prioritizing the success of a safe community from multiple platforms and with multiple points of view."
However, seeing social networks evolve globally, some governments are stepping in to regulate the space—and Australia was one of the first ones to do so.
Australia is pushing ahead with a groundbreaking plan to block children under 16 from accessing social media, a world-first initiative aimed at protecting young minds. However, with the deadline nearing, teens themselves may be the biggest challenge.
A recent trial of age-checking software, conducted by tech contractor KJR, revealed that while the technology shows promise, the digital savvy of young Australians could render the ban less effective than hoped.
Thirteen-year-old Jasmine Elkin, one of several students who participated in trials of photo-based age estimation products, voiced a common sentiment among her peers. "People are always going to find a way to get past it," Elkin stated.
"They can get their brother or sister to take a photo. There's nothing really that you can do about it." This shows a major concern for child protection advocates and even the trial organizers: the technology might work, but user ingenuity could undermine its effectiveness.
Starting December, platforms like Meta, Snapchat, and TikTok could be fined up to A$49.5 million if they don’t try hard enough to block users under 16, with Britain, France, and Singapore watching closely and expected to follow suit.
Andrew Hammond from KJR said teens quickly adapted to the software, leading to changes in testing. Early results show selfie-based methods were the most accurate, with a full report expected next month.
A spokesperson for Communications Minister Anika Wells acknowledged, "We know that social media age restrictions will not be the end-all be-all solution for harms experienced by young people online, but it's a step in the right direction to keep our kids safer."
However, the real challenge is creating a strong system that can outsmart the creativity of teens. Unless that’s in place the social media ban may look good only on paper.
Now, Australia isn’t alone in tightening its grip on social media. Malaysia is also cracking down on platforms it believes are crossing the line.
Malaysia's top communications regulator, MCMC, announced on Thursday that it has secured a temporary court order against messaging app Telegram.
This is the first action of its kind against an encrypted platform, following claims that two channels on Telegram shared content that breaks Malaysian law. The MCMC stated that it pursued the court order due to Telegram's "serious failure to address content that has been repeatedly reported to it."
The content on the two channels, identified as "Edisi Siasat" and "Edisi Khas," is believed to possess "the potential to undermine public trust in national institutions and disrupt societal harmony."
The commission didn’t specify the exact content, but Malaysia typically flags online gambling, scams, child porn, cyberbullying, and sensitive topics like race, religion, and royalty as harmful.
A Malaysian court has issued an interim order to stop the spread and reposting of such content. Telegram hasn’t responded publicly yet.
This comes after Malaysia introduced a new social media law in January, requiring platforms with over eight million users in the country to get a license or face legal action.
The law is a direct response to a notable increase in cybercrime and harmful online content across the country. The MCMC affirmed that "Telegram will be given a fair opportunity to present its defense in line with the principles of justice and fundamental rights."
As social media grows more connected and open, it can become a platform for unity, accessibility, inclusion, and diversity. However, governments will need to step up their vigilance to ensure that social media businesses and platforms are not misused.
Do you think the Fediverse is the next stop in social media’s evolution? Should more countries adopt Australia’s under-16 social media ban?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below!
Most social media businesses are taking steps to enhance the user experience, with social networking leader Meta making waves with new features. However, some platforms, like the cloud-based encrypted messaging tool Telegram, are facing legal challenges.
To add to this complex and dynamic arena is Australia’s social media ban for children under the age of 16, with new policies being tested and potentially rolled out. So, let’s explore what’s changed in the social media world recently.
Dive in!
Facebook Streamlines Video Sharing By Making All Videos “Reels”
Facebook, the social media giant with billions of users worldwide, is set to redefine how users share video content on its platform.
With an aim to simplify the creative process and enhance user experience, the platform announced that all videos will soon be shared as "reels,” without any length or format restrictions.
This shift is rolling out globally to profiles and pages over the coming months. Previously, creators faced a choice between uploading a longer video to their feed or crafting a concise reel, with each providing different creative tools and publishing flows.
"Now, we’re bringing these experiences together with a simplified publishing flow that gives you access to even more creative tools," Facebook stated.
A key factor of this update is the unification of privacy settings, with the default audience setting now consistent for both feed posts and video reels.
Users who have different settings for their feed posts and reels will be prompted to confirm or select a new audience setting when they begin posting reels after the change.
However, the control remains firmly in the user's hands, with options to share privately with friends or publicly to maximize reach.
In a related development, Facebook is also renaming its "Video tab" to the "Reels tab." Despite the renaming, the company says video recommendations will still match each user’s interests and offer a variety of topics and lengths from its growing creator community.
For those concerned about their existing video content, Facebook confirmed that previously shared videos will remain on profiles and pages. However, moving forward, every new video created and posted will turn into a reel.
Along with these changes to its videos, Facebook is also making moves to improve account security for its users.
Facebook Rolls Out Passkeys For Enhanced Security And Simpler Logins
Another major development from Facebook is the addition of passkeys for mobile users to make logging in easier and more secure. This new method replaces traditional passwords to better protect user accounts. It’s rolling out first on iOS and Android, with Messenger support coming soon.
Passkeys, developed by the FIDO Alliance (which includes Meta), are secure digital credentials that allow users to log in using biometrics like a fingerprint or face scan, or a device PIN.
Essentially, the biometric data or PIN used to create the passkey remains securely stored on the user's device and is never shared with or stored by Facebook.
This new technology comes with a powerful defense against common online threats like phishing and password spraying attacks. Unlike traditional passwords or even one-time SMS codes, passkeys are resistant to being intercepted or phished, which significantly increases protection against malicious actors.
"Passkeys can give you peace of mind about your account’s security – they can’t be guessed or easily stolen," stated a company representative. "And once created, they make it faster and easier than ever to log in to Facebook, no memorized password needed. All you’ll need is a compatible mobile device and a Facebook account."
Users will also be able to use expanded utility to secure autofill payment information with Meta Pay, even protecting encrypted message backups on Messenger.
Setting up a passkey is designed to be straightforward, accessible through the Accounts Center in Facebook's Settings menu, or even prompted during login.
Passkeys will be the main login method on mobile, but users can still use passwords on devices that don't support passkeys yet.
While Facebook tightens its user security, its sibling platform Threads is opening new doors for broader online conversations.
Threads Unlocks Broader Conversations With Enhanced Fediverse Integration
Threads, the social media platform from Meta, is making it simpler to connect with a wider world of online content.
The company just announced new features that bring more of the fediverse directly to your feed. For those not fully immersed in digital idioms, the “fediverse” is a vast, open network of interconnected yet independent social media servers.
Threads has been part of this network for a year, allowing users to share their posts with it. Now, it's making it easier to pull content from it.
Starting today, users who opt into fediverse sharing on Threads will discover a brand-new feed. This dedicated space will highlight posts from the followed federated users, even if the original content was published on other platforms like Mastodon, Bookwyrm, or WriteFreely.
This means if a prominent page or account posts on Mastodon and shares it to the fediverse, Threads’ users will see it right there in their feed, helping to broaden social media perspectives without having to jump between apps.
This new feed prioritizes the freshest content and displays posts in reverse chronological order. Beyond just viewing, Threads is also helping users to find and connect with these external voices.
You can now search for fediverse profiles directly within the Threads app. Simply type in a name—for example, "@flipboard@flipboard.social"—and if there's a match, their fediverse profile will pop up, easily identifiable by a distinct fediverse icon.
These new features represent a significant stride in Threads' ambition to be a more open and connected platform. The company reflected on its progress over the past year, which included expanding fediverse sharing globally and enabling users to see likes and followers from other fediverse servers.
Threads reports that it has interacted with over 75% of all fediverse servers since it first began sharing to the network a year ago. Now, its goal is to "grow the fediverse responsibly, prioritizing the success of a safe community from multiple platforms and with multiple points of view."
However, seeing social networks evolve globally, some governments are stepping in to regulate the space—and Australia was one of the first ones to do so.
Australia's Social Media Ban For Under-16s Faces Teen Ingenuity Test
Australia is pushing ahead with a groundbreaking plan to block children under 16 from accessing social media, a world-first initiative aimed at protecting young minds. However, with the deadline nearing, teens themselves may be the biggest challenge.
A recent trial of age-checking software, conducted by tech contractor KJR, revealed that while the technology shows promise, the digital savvy of young Australians could render the ban less effective than hoped.
Thirteen-year-old Jasmine Elkin, one of several students who participated in trials of photo-based age estimation products, voiced a common sentiment among her peers. "People are always going to find a way to get past it," Elkin stated.
"They can get their brother or sister to take a photo. There's nothing really that you can do about it." This shows a major concern for child protection advocates and even the trial organizers: the technology might work, but user ingenuity could undermine its effectiveness.
Starting December, platforms like Meta, Snapchat, and TikTok could be fined up to A$49.5 million if they don’t try hard enough to block users under 16, with Britain, France, and Singapore watching closely and expected to follow suit.
Andrew Hammond from KJR said teens quickly adapted to the software, leading to changes in testing. Early results show selfie-based methods were the most accurate, with a full report expected next month.
A spokesperson for Communications Minister Anika Wells acknowledged, "We know that social media age restrictions will not be the end-all be-all solution for harms experienced by young people online, but it's a step in the right direction to keep our kids safer."
However, the real challenge is creating a strong system that can outsmart the creativity of teens. Unless that’s in place the social media ban may look good only on paper.
Now, Australia isn’t alone in tightening its grip on social media. Malaysia is also cracking down on platforms it believes are crossing the line.
Malaysia Takes Legal Action Against Telegram Over Harmful Content
Malaysia's top communications regulator, MCMC, announced on Thursday that it has secured a temporary court order against messaging app Telegram.
This is the first action of its kind against an encrypted platform, following claims that two channels on Telegram shared content that breaks Malaysian law. The MCMC stated that it pursued the court order due to Telegram's "serious failure to address content that has been repeatedly reported to it."
The content on the two channels, identified as "Edisi Siasat" and "Edisi Khas," is believed to possess "the potential to undermine public trust in national institutions and disrupt societal harmony."
The commission didn’t specify the exact content, but Malaysia typically flags online gambling, scams, child porn, cyberbullying, and sensitive topics like race, religion, and royalty as harmful.
A Malaysian court has issued an interim order to stop the spread and reposting of such content. Telegram hasn’t responded publicly yet.
This comes after Malaysia introduced a new social media law in January, requiring platforms with over eight million users in the country to get a license or face legal action.
The law is a direct response to a notable increase in cybercrime and harmful online content across the country. The MCMC affirmed that "Telegram will be given a fair opportunity to present its defense in line with the principles of justice and fundamental rights."
As social media grows more connected and open, it can become a platform for unity, accessibility, inclusion, and diversity. However, governments will need to step up their vigilance to ensure that social media businesses and platforms are not misused.
Do you think the Fediverse is the next stop in social media’s evolution? Should more countries adopt Australia’s under-16 social media ban?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below!
First published on Fri, Jun 20, 2025
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