Australia is stepping up its game to protect kids from the dangers of social media, with the government unveiling new legislation aimed at restricting social media use for children under 16. Describing the move as “world-leading,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has criticized the impact of social media use, on young users.

“Social media is doing harm to our kids, and I’m putting an end to it,” Albanese said in a press conference on Thursday.

The proposed law, which will be introduced to Parliament in its final two weeks of session starting November 18th, would see social media platforms like X, TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook given 12 months to adjust and block access for children younger than 16. Albanese said he had spoken to thousands of parents, grandparents, and relatives, who share his concern about keeping the nation’s children safe online.

This major announcement comes as governments worldwide continue to grapple with the issue of regulating kids’ access to social media and smartphones. The new Australian legislation would make social media companies accountable for enforcing the age restriction, with hefty penalties for non-compliance—but it would not penalize parents or underage users themselves. “The responsibility will fall on the platforms to prove they’re taking reasonable steps to keep kids off their sites,” Albanese said. “Parents and kids won’t be held responsible.”

The proposed law would allow for exceptions, such as for educational purposes, but Albanese made it clear that no child under 16 would be allowed to use social media, even with parental consent.

Earlier this year, the Australian government began testing age-restriction technologies, and the eSafety Commissioner will use the results to help guide social media platforms in how to comply with the new rules.

On Wednesday 2^nd October 2024, the Caribbean Cultural Diplomats Experience brought island glamour to the streets of New York. This year, the dinner event was hosted at the Continent Brooklyn by Industry 360, a social impact organization focused on the advancement of Caribbean culture on the global stage, in an historic partnership with CultureCon, helmed by its parent company The Creative Collective NYC (TheCCNYC). 

In celebration of Caribbean excellence, the glamourous affair featured attendees from across the region who are of Caribbean descent, or allies to the Caribbean community. The event also featured a Caribbean-inspired fine-dining experience curated by Chef Scotley Inniss, with cocktail pairings courtesy award-winning Caribbean spirits Ten To One Rum and a live performance from Grenada-born vocalist Jeverson. With representation from across the Caribbean, the networking soirée featured entertainment by DJ Danglez and DJ Kayla G from Guyana, with cocktails courtesy Jim Beam. Specially invited guests included the CEO and Founder of CultureCon, Imani Ellis; popular Bahamian-Nigerian movement lawyer, writer and creator Olayemi Olurin; Billboard Magazine Music Journalist Kyle-Brandon Denis; Apple Music’s Nadeska Alexis; Emmy Award-winning storyteller and on-air travel expert Oneika Raymond and Grenadian-born celebrity publicist, Dr. Yvette Noel-Schure. As part of the programme this year at the Caribbean Cultural Diplomats Experience, Industry 360 also honoured Grenadian womenswear fashion designer Felisha ‘Fe’ Noel with the Cultural Legacy award, for her seismic impact on and invaluable contributions to Caribbean Culture.

Founder of Industry 360, Tenille Clarke, explains that the partnership between Industry 360 and CultureCon is a significant milestone for the Caribbean Cultural Diplomats Experience this year – the first Caribbean-oriented event of its kind to be hosted and recognized during CultureCon Week. “Black spaces deserve to be celebrated in all of its diverse range – and that includes the beauty and dynamism of the Caribbean diaspora,” Clarke said. “For Caribbean culture to be included and celebrated in such a meaningful and intentional way within the CulureCon ecosystem – during year two of our event no less – is a testament to the shared values of this partnership between Industry 360 and CultureCon. It proves the power of Caribbean creativity as we showcase our limitless potential to the world.”

In her welcome greetings to event guests, CultureCon Founder, Imani Ellis noted that working alongside Clarke and relying on the award-winning Trinbagonian publicist’s insight has given Ellis ‘amazing foresight into tapping into the diaspora’. “The Creative Collective is the largest community in the United States for Black creatives (…) and we’re making sure that we’re building strong ties across the diaspora. This is the beginning of an ongoing partnership with Industry 360, and we’ll have more details to share soon,” revealed Ellis.

At the Caribbean Cultural Diplomats Experience, Tenille Clarke also announced an exciting new Creative Arts Residency partnership between Industry 360 and Little Caribbean NYC and I Am Caribbeing, both founded by Shelley Worrell. Little Caribbean NYC is home to the largest and most diverse Caribbean-American-LatinX community outside of the West Indies. The multi-disciplined residency, which will take place in 2025, will work to usher in the next generation of Caribbean creative talent with a 6 to 8-week mentorship opportunity based in New York. Further details on the residency will be available towards the end of 2024.