Five stories on AI, tech and online safety, from Canberra to Westminster, with the practical bit for your family.
This week’s news had a theme: the rules are catching up, but the best protection is still at home. Here’s the calm version.
01. The Digital Duty of Care bill reaches Parliament
On Thursday, Communications Minister Anika Wells introduced the revised Digital Duty of Care bill. It would require online services to identify and reduce serious harms, with penalties of up to $109.2 million. Social media platforms would also have to let users over 16 opt in to the algorithm (“My Feed, My Way”).
After criticism of the September draft, the minister’s power to add new categories of harm has been removed. Only Parliament could add them.
What it means for you: Nothing changes yet. If it passes, expect more control over feeds and safer defaults for under-18s.
What’s next: A Senate inquiry is due to report before the end of the year. Wells has said she’s open to letting people sue platforms. The Coalition opposes the bill.
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02. AERO: use AI sparingly in schools
The Australian Education Research Organisation (AERO) has urged schools to use AI sparingly. Its CEO, Dr Jenny Donovan, says AI should be avoided completely in the first three years of primary school.
After that, it should be used carefully and alongside explicit teaching. The concern is “cognitive outsourcing”: the tool does the thinking, so students never build the knowledge themselves.
What it means for you: Try to limit AI use at home - or make sure it’s intentional, rather than passive. School-built tools that make students do the thinking are a better model than outsourcing all brain power to ChatGPT.
What’s next: Education Minister Jason Clare is calling for less screen time in schools, “a bit of a digital detox”.
Read more: Education research body urges schools to use AI sparingly (ABC News)
03. “Stranger danger” tops parents’ gaming worries (UK)
UK regulator Ofcom’s new Growing Up Gaming summary found that 55% of children who game online play with people they have never met offline. Of parents, 64% worry about their child talking to strangers through games.
That’s ahead of bullying, inappropriate content and in-game purchases. But only 43% set rules about who their child can play with. More set rules about time limits (56%) and content (50%).
What it means for you: Ofcom’s “Check, Chat, Change” is a good start. Check the contact settings. Chat about who they play with. Change settings where needed.
What’s next: Ofcom says platforms carry the legal duty to keep children safe, and says it will hold them to it. Australia’s Digital Duty of Care (story 01) aims at the same thing.
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04. Eight US states sue OpenAI (US)
Attorneys general in Arizona, Arkansas, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska and West Virginia have filed separate lawsuits against OpenAI.
They allege that ChatGPT misled the public about its safety for children and coached some users, including teens, towards harm.
OpenAI says it has built age-specific protections that many other AI products lack.
What it means for you: These are allegations, not court findings. For now, your safest move is to know which AI apps your teen uses and check their safety settings.
If you or your child needs support: Kids Helpline is on 1800 55 1800 and Lifeline is on 13 11 14.
What’s next: The states want court orders changing how ChatGPT works, plus penalties. Florida filed the first state suit in June.
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05. Property listings are getting AI makeovers
ABC found AI-generated room and backyard photos on real estate websites, and AI-made songs about floor plans.
Experts say “virtual staging” is fine if it is disclosed, but hiding a property’s flaws can mislead buyers.
Queensland’s Office of Fair Trading has received six complaints about digitally altered images in property ads since January 2025.
What it means for you: Inspect in person before you commit. If you feel misled by AI images, contact your state consumer agency.
What’s next: The Real Estate Institute of Australia calls the rules “blurry”. Queensland already urges agents to “enhance responsibly” and disclose AI use.
Expect further changes on this in the near future.
Read more: Real estate AI use grows with furniture and families altered in advertisements (ABC News)
