Society & Culture

• 

  Australia to enact world’s toughest social media ban for children under 16

  By CDI Staff Oceania 14 days ago

  Australia has passed legislation to ban children under 16 from using social media, a move that will enforce the world’s strictest regulations on platform usage by minors. The ban, which will not come into effect for at least 12 months, allows for penalties of up to A$50 million ($32.5 million; £25.7 million) for tech companies that fail to comply. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has described the new law as essential for protecting young people from the "harms" of social media, a concern echoed

• 

  Thanksgiving in Latin America: an evolving tradition

  By Javier Bolaños Latin America

  15 days ago

  Thanksgiving, traditionally celebrated in the United States and Canada, is gaining ground in some Latin American countries due to cultural influence and geographic proximity. In Mexico, for example, although it is not part of local traditions, the date has become popular among communities near the border and U.S. expatriates, who celebrate family gatherings with traditional dinners such as turkey and the classic side dishes of this holiday.

• 

  What we can learn from how the anguish of suicide was handled in history

  By Brian Harris Oceania

  16 days ago

  Life can be difficult for some people to bear. The Church should not make it even more difficult for them or those caring for them. Suicide is an extreme response to those difficulties. We need to appreciate better how complex that issue is and respond with greater pastoral sensitivity.

• 

  Australian government withdraws controversial misinformation bill, 'no pathway to legislate this proposal'

  By Chris Eyte Oceania

  16 days ago

  A proposed law to give Australia’s media authority more powers and posing a danger of silencing critics of abortion and trans ideology, of great concern to rights group Australian Christian Lobby, has been withdrawn in a dramatic turnaround.  Australian lawmakers initially approved the “Communications Legislation Amendment (Combatting Misinformation and Disinformation) Bill 2024” in the House of Representatives by 78 votes to 57 on November 7, as reported by Christian Daily International.