Countries Across Europe Take Action to Ban Social Media for Minors
Social Media

Countries Across Europe Take Action to Ban Social Media for Minors

At least 15 governments in Africa are considering social media bans, drawing inspiration from Australia's recent actions. This trend highlights growing concerns over online content regulation and its implications for freedom of expression across the continent.


What is the age threshold for social media bans in Europe, and why did countries choose these specific ages?
France has passed a bill banning social media for children under 15 years old, while Spain's president announced a similar measure. These age thresholds reflect growing concerns about the developmental impact of social media on younger children's brains and cognitive development. The specific ages chosen typically align with research on child development and the ages at which children are considered more vulnerable to the psychological and behavioral effects of social media use.
Sources: [1]
How do European social media bans differ from restrictions being considered in other regions like Africa?
European countries such as France and Spain are implementing direct bans on social media access for minors below specific age thresholds as a regulatory approach. In contrast, African governments are reportedly considering social media bans while drawing inspiration from Australia's recent actions, suggesting a different policy framework focused on broader content regulation and online governance rather than age-based access restrictions. These different approaches reflect varying regulatory philosophies and concerns about online content and freedom of expression across regions.
Sources: [1]

08 February 2026

Gizmodo
NASA Finds Earth’s Oxygen Follows a Hidden Magnetic Rhythm
Earth

NASA Finds Earth’s Oxygen Follows a Hidden Magnetic Rhythm

NASA scientists reveal a fascinating link between Earth's magnetic field and atmospheric oxygen, showing they have synchronized for over 500 million years. This discovery highlights the deep connection between the planet's interior and its life-supporting conditions.


What generates Earth's magnetic field and why does it fluctuate?
Earth's magnetic field is generated by the flow of molten material in the planet's core, acting like a giant electromagnet, and it fluctuates because this flow is not perfectly stable.[1][2][3]
Sources: [1]
Does this discovery prove that the magnetic field directly controls atmospheric oxygen levels?
No, the study shows a strong correlation between magnetic field strength and oxygen levels over 540 million years, but suggests both may respond to a common underlying process, such as continental movement, rather than direct causation.[1][3][5]
Sources: [1]

08 February 2026

SciTechDaily
AI

Crypto.com places $70M bet on AI.com domain ahead of Super Bowl

A recent purchase has set new records in domain sales, highlighting the crypto industry's penchant for extravagant spending. This development underscores the ongoing financial dynamism within the cryptocurrency sector, capturing attention and sparking discussions among enthusiasts and investors alike.


Why would Crypto.com spend $70 million on a domain name instead of investing in technology development?
Kris Marszalek, Crypto.com's CEO, views the AI.com domain as a strategic branding asset rather than a pure technology investment. He explained that owning a prominent domain helps avoid commoditization in a crowded market and serves as a recognizable "touchpoint" for consumers. Marszalek positioned this as a long-term investment in what he expects to be one of the most significant technological waves over the next 10 to 20 years. The domain will host an autonomous AI agent platform designed to handle consumer tasks like sending messages and organizing work across connected services. Additionally, Marszalek stated he had already turned down "an absolutely insane amount of money" in resale offers, indicating his confidence in the domain's long-term value as a brand asset.
Sources: [1], [2], [3]
What makes this domain purchase record-breaking, and how does it compare to previous domain sales?
The $70 million purchase of AI.com sets a new record for the largest publicly disclosed domain name sale to date. This eclipses the previous record of $30 million for Voice.com, which was sold in 2019. The transaction was completed entirely in cryptocurrency, brokered by domain expert Larry Fischer of GetYourDomain.com, with the seller's identity remaining undisclosed. The record-breaking nature of this deal highlights both the growing value of premium domain names in the digital economy and the increasing use of cryptocurrency for high-value transactions.
Sources: [1], [2]

08 February 2026

TechCrunch
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