Australia’s plan to ban teenagers from social media has been called “world‑leading”.

The law, which comes into effect December 10, threatens platforms such as TikTok, Instagram and Facebook with fines of up to $50 million if they let under-16s open or keep accounts.

But as implementation draws closer, questions remain about how the ban will be enforced, what it means for online privacy, and whether it will reshape the way everyone uses the internet.

Today, digital‑rights advocate Samantha Floreani on the risks of the ban amid a global regulatory arms race.

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Guest: Digital‑rights advocate, Samantha Floreani.

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As companies across the world pursue generative AI technology, new forms of manipulation become possible.

At the forefront of this are neurotechnologies, which directly connect to your brain and collect your brain data, and persuasive technologies, which can use that data to influence how you feel.

In countries like China where the tech industry is controlled by the government, the use of these technologies for disinformation and social control has already taken hold.

Today - senior analyst at the Mercator Institute for China Studies Daria Impiomabato on the rise of persuasive technologies, and the ways we could be exploited without even knowing.

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Guest: Senior analyst at the Mercator Institute for China Studies Daria Impiomabato

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When Tasmanian premier Jeremy Rockliff struck a deal with the AFL to build a brand new stadium in Hobart's historic center, it was a decision made without cabinet, treasury or parliamentary backing.

It's that stadium that's kicked off a messy fight over who will lead Tasmania.

It’s now been over a week since the election that delivered a hung parliament and neither the Liberal leader or Labor leader have managed to form government.

Today, award-winning author Richard Flanagan, on the political crisis in his home state of Tasmania – and why it's a warning for the rest of the country.

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Guest: Award-winning author Richard Flanagan

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Countries have a legal obligation to tackle climate change, according to a landmark finding from the world’s highest court.

Last week, the International Court of Justice issued an advisory opinion that said climate change is an “urgent and existential threat” to humanity and countries have a “duty to cooperate” on addressing it.

For the Pacific Island students who brought their case to the ICJ, the ruling marks the end of a six year fight. They hope it also marks the start of a new chapter where others can apply the ruling to hold polluting governments to account.

Today, reporter Cheyne Anderson on what we owe smaller nation states, and the implications for Australia.

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Guest: Reporter Cheyne Anderson

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When parliament returned this week, the seating chart said it all. With 123 Labor members in the parliament – the government is taking up much of the room.

But it was the Nationals taking the oxygen with their growing calls to abandon net zero. Their position is at odds with science, economics and many within the joint party room.

Meanwhile Opposition Leader Sussan Ley is trying to keep the Coalition on life support as their popularity sinks to its lowest level in 40 years for the coalition is at the lowest it's been in 40 years.

Today, contributing editor for The New Daily, Amy Remeikis, on the mess and mayhem of the first week back in parliament.

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Guest: contributing editor for The New Daily, Amy Remeikis

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When an Israeli airstrike hit the gate of Syria’s Defence Ministry in central Damascus, the blast echoed far beyond the capital.

It was a warning shot in a growing fight over who controls Syria’s fractured south.

With sectarian tensions reigniting between Druze militias, Bedouin fighters and government troops, the country’s uneasy calm is close to breaking.

Today, Damascus‑based journalist Heidi Pett, on the latest in this conflict – and how it could redraw the map of Syria.

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Guest: Damascus-based journalist, Heidi Pett.

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The Australian Federal Police investigate some of the country's most serious crimes - terrorism, corruption, drugs, and human trafficking.

But a new report from the Commonwealth Ombudsman has found that the one thing the AFP is not good at investigating is itself.

It's found that the agency is dismissing complaints that should be investigated, including allegations of corruption and assault within its own ranks.

Today, journalist Karen Middleton on allegations inside the AFP, and what it tells us about the culture of the agency.

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Guest: Journalist Karen Middleton

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When UNESCO voted to put the Murujuga Cultural Landscape in north-west Australia on the World Heritage List, they recognised the ancient rock art as a “masterpiece of human creative genius”.

It was a reflection of the work of the Murujuga traditional owners who fought for the carvings to be recognised on the world stage.

But what went on behind the scenes shows the limits of a heritage listing when it comes to stopping gas companies, the governments that profit from the burning of fossil fuels, or the effects of climate change heritage listing does to stop gas companies, the government that profits from them, or the effects of climate change.

Today, national correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe on UNESCO, Woodside, and the future of the Murujuga.

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Guest: National correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe

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