Weekly Tech Round-Up
This week: a landmark social media lawsuit in the US, concerns over child safety on Roblox, new Apple age verification checks in the UK, a creative app pick, and a reminder about resetting devices.
⚖️ Social Media Giants Lose Landmark Addiction Lawsuit
Parents and campaign groups seeking tighter restrictions on social media have welcomed a landmark ruling in Los Angeles, where a jury handed a major victory to a young woman who sued Meta and YouTube over her childhood addiction to social media.
Jurors found that Meta — which owns Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp — and Google, owner of YouTube, intentionally built addictive platforms that harmed the woman’s mental health.
The 20-year-old, known as Kaley, was awarded £4.5m in damages. The case is expected to have implications for hundreds of similar lawsuits currently progressing through US courts.
Source: BBC News
🎮 Concerns Raised Over Roblox Child Safety Measures
An independent game developer for Roblox has said the platform’s child safety measures, including age verification checks, do not go far enough.
Roblox is currently the most popular gaming platform in the UK among children aged eight to 12.
In an interview, the developer suggested parents should monitor their children’s activity “24/7”, adding that if this is not possible, they should reconsider allowing access to the platform.
A Roblox spokesperson responded by saying safety is a top priority and that the platform uses advanced safeguards and filters to prevent harmful content and communication.
Source: BBC News
📱 Apple Introduces Age Checks for iPhone and iPad Users
Apple is rolling out age verification checks for iPhone and iPad users in the UK, requiring them to confirm if they are adults to access certain services such as 18+ apps.
After installing the latest iOS 26.4 update, users may be asked to verify their age by providing a credit card or scanning an ID document.
The move follows new rules introduced under the Online Safety Act in 2025, which require tech companies to strengthen child protection measures — although device-level checks are not currently mandated.
Source: BBC News
🎨 App of the Week: Canva
This week’s app of the week is Canva.
Canva is an all-in-one creative platform for graphic design, photo editing and video creation. It’s widely used for everything from social media posts to presentations and marketing materials.
The app is free to download on iOS and Android devices:
🔄 Reset Your Devices Before Use or Resale
If you are selling, donating, or trading in your smartphone or other device, it is essential to erase all personal data so it does not fall into the wrong hands.
Likewise, when receiving a second-hand device, it is good practice to erase any existing data or perform a factory reset before using it.
This process removes previous data such as messages, contacts, photos, browsing history, Wi-Fi passwords, and installed apps — ensuring your device is secure and ready to use.
Quick tip: always back up your data before resetting, and double-check that all accounts are signed out before handing a device over.
