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London — Australia’s parliament has passed a landmark law aiming to ban children under 16 from using social media platforms, sparking widespread debate. The legislation, driven by concerns over the mental health impacts of social media on young Australians, was passed by the Senate on Thursday with a 34-19 vote.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese cited a “clear, causal link” between social media and youth mental health challenges. The Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Bill will fine companies up to AU$50 million (US$32 million) if they fail to enforce the ban. However, the law lacks specifics on implementation, leaving enforcement details to be finalized through trials of age-assurance technology by mid-2025.

Platforms such as Snapchat, TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook are likely targets of the ban, while YouTube is exempt due to its educational value. Critics argue the rushed bill could backfire, driving teens to unsafe online spaces or increasing isolation. Concerns about personal data collection have also been raised. Elon Musk criticized the law as a “backdoor way to control access to the internet.”

Public sentiment appears divided. A recent YouGov survey showed 77% of Australians support the ban, an increase from 61% in August. However, opposition remains strong among experts and advocacy groups. Amnesty International warned the bill could isolate young people, while 140 experts signed an open letter calling the measure a “blunt instrument” that could exacerbate risks for children.

Critics like Christopher Stone of Suicide Prevention Australia have urged the government to consult further before implementing the law. Independent MP Andrew Wilkie, initially supportive, has reversed his stance, emphasizing the absence of young voices in the debate.

The legislation, set to take effect in 12 months, highlights the global challenge of balancing online safety with youth rights and access.

The South Asian-Gulf migration corridor remains one of the most significant in global migration, traditionally dominated by low-skilled laborers moving to Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. However, migration patterns have diversified in recent decades, with increasing flows of skilled workers and students toward Europe, North America, and Oceania. This shift highlights evolving motivations and challenges for South Asian migrants. A research report published in ISPI highlighted.

Migration from South Asia is driven by unemployment, low income, debt, and climate change, with notable intra-regional movements such as Bangladesh-India and Afghanistan-Pakistan. The Gulf region continues to attract South Asians due to labor demand and economic factors, though stricter immigration policies and nationalization efforts have affected recruitment. Migrants in the GCC are predominantly employed in low-wage sectors like construction and domestic services, contributing significantly to Gulf economies. However, exploitation in recruitment processes remains a pressing issue, including illegal agencies and visa trading.

Female migration to the Gulf is also rising, with South Asian women increasingly working in domestic roles. Sri Lanka leads in “feminized” migration, with most female migrants coming from low-income households.

While the Gulf remains a key destination, there is a notable increase in South Asians migrating to Europe, North America, and Oceania, driven by opportunities for permanent residency and citizenship. From 1990 to 2020, South Asian migration to these regions surged, with India ranking second globally for student migration.

Remittances play a vital role in South Asia’s economy, mitigating poverty and boosting GDP. In 2020, remittances to South Asia grew by 5.2% despite the pandemic. However, return migration, particularly during COVID-19, disrupted remittance flows and highlighted reintegration challenges. Many returnees faced unemployment, wage theft, and a lack of awareness about reintegration programs like India’s SWADES initiative.

Experts emphasise the need for holistic migration policies to address vulnerabilities, support reintegration, and harness migration’s potential for sustainable development.

BAKU, Azerbaijan – After weeks of tense negotiations at COP29, nearly 200 nations reached a new climate agreement early Sunday, committing wealthy countries to provide $300 billion annually by 2035 to help poorer nations combat the escalating impacts of climate change. However, the figure was widely criticized as inadequate.

The agreement came after chaotic negotiations marked by boycotts, political disputes, and a strong presence of fossil fuel interests. Talks nearly collapsed when representatives from vulnerable small island states and least-developed countries walked out on Saturday. Eventually, the deal was finalized more than 30 hours past the deadline.

“This new finance goal is an insurance policy for humanity,” said Simon Stiell, head of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. But the pledged amount falls far short of the $1.3 trillion that experts estimate is necessary. India’s representative Chandni Raina called the $300 billion a “paltry sum,” while Marshall Islands envoy Tina Stege criticized the talks for “political opportunism” and fossil fuel influence.

The deal focuses heavily on climate finance, requiring wealthy nations to provide funding through public and private channels. However, it only “encourages” contributions from richer emerging economies like China and Saudi Arabia, leaving developing nations concerned about debt traps from loan-based assistance.

COP29 unfolded against the backdrop of a record-hot year and increasingly extreme weather events, but it was overshadowed by political divisions and fossil fuel lobbying. More than 1,700 fossil fuel representatives attended, outnumbering most country delegations.

Climate activists slammed the summit for falling short. “This was meant to be the finance COP, but the Global North betrayed the Global South,” said Tasneem Essop of Climate Action Network. Despite the outcome, calls for greater accountability and increased funding persist.

New Delhi – UNICEF has called for urgent measures to include children and young people in national climate policies as its latest analysis highlights the growing impact of climate crises on South Asia. Released during COP 29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, the report projects alarming trends: by 2050, four times as many children will face extreme heatwaves, with significant increases in exposure to floods and wildfires compared to the 2000s.

The region’s 659 million children already face climate-related hazards such as heatwaves, floods, and air pollution, severely disrupting their lives, health, and education. Yet, UNICEF’s mapping reveals that most South Asian countries lack child-sensitive climate policies. Nepal leads the region by explicitly recognizing children’s rights in its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), while others, including India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, have made limited progress.

Young voices from the region, like Zunaira Qayyum from Pakistan and Fathimath Raaia Shareef from Maldives, stress the urgency of integrating children into decision-making processes. “We are not just advocating for climate action; we are fighting for survival,” Shareef stated, urging leaders to prioritize their future.

UNICEF is pushing for governments to adopt child-sensitive NDCs by 2025, increase climate financing for children, and ensure disaster management systems are tailored to their needs. “The future of South Asia’s children is at risk unless leaders act now,” said Sanjay Wijesekera, UNICEF’s Regional Director for South Asia.

UNICEF emphasizes that children are not just victims but powerful agents of change, deserving a meaningful role in shaping climate policy. With time running out, the need for decisive action is more critical than ever.