WA news LIVE: Man with blow torch threatens to light Bunnings gas cylinders on fire
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9.30am
Man with blow torch threatens to light Bunnings gas cylinders on fire
First up this morning, officers from the Tactical Response Group, WA Police and DFES swarmed a Bunnings in Perth's southern suburbs last night after a man, allegedly armed with a blow torch and threatening to set gas cylinders on fire, was arrested.
An exclusion zone was set up outside the warehouse in Cannington, after police received reports of a man acting suspiciously inside the warehouse around 7.20pm.
Further reports received stated the man had then armed himself with the weapon and was making threats to ignite the gas cylinders outside the store.
Police said officers attempted negotiations with the man when they arrived, and he was then taken into custody soon after.
Footage of the dramatic arrest, posted to Facebook by a bystander, shows multiple officers from the TRG and WA Police swarming in to make the arrest.
The 42-year-old Kelmscott man has been charged with burglary and commit, stealing, being armed in a way that may cause fear and endangering the life, health or safety of a person.
The man's bail was refused and he is due to appear before the Armadale Magistrates Court today.
Across the nation and around the world
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The United States has launched a review into whether the AUKUS submarine deal should be changed or scrapped, with the Pentagon saying the Joe Biden-era arrangement must be examined to ensure it meets President Donald Trump's 'America First' priorities.
Australians have some of the most critical attitudes towards US President Donald Trump and his administration among the world's voters, with an international survey revealing most people find him arrogant, dangerous and a threat to the global economy.
A Manhattan jury found Harvey Weinstein guilty on a sex crimes charge on Wednesday, though the jury has not yet reached a verdict on all counts the former movie mogul faces in deliberations that have been marred by infighting and threats.
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley is preparing to order a radical investigation into the future of the Liberal Party, going beyond a standard post-election review, as she seeks to rebuild it after its historic electoral loss.
Critical worker shortages and inflationary pressure on high-volume materials are among the causes driving the unprecedented cost of building a house in Australia, as experts warn that snowballing expenses could doom ambitious housing reform to failure.
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The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
Israel hits Evin jail, strikes on Tehran 'biggest yet'
Israel targeted Evin prison in Tehran, one of the most potent symbols of Iran's governing system, in what Israel called the most intense bombing yet of the Iranian capital, a day after the United States joined the war by blasting nuclear sites. Iranon Monday repeated earlier threats to retaliate against the United States. But it had yet to do so in a meaningful way more than 24 hours after US bombers dropped 13,600 kg bunker-busters on its underground nuclear sites, while US President Donald Trump openly mused about overthrowing the Iranian government. Oil prices barely budged on the first trading day after the US joined the war, suggesting traders doubted Iran would follow through on threats to disrupt oil supplies from the Gulf. The Mizan news outlet of Iran's judiciary confirmed that the prison had been hit. It said part of the building was damaged but the situation was under control. A video posted by Israeli foreign minister Gideon Saar on X showed an explosion at a building with a sign identifying it as an entrance to Evin prison in northern Tehran and the accompanying words: "Viva la libertad!" - Spanish for 'Long live liberty.' Evin has been the primary prison for housing political detainees and security prisoners, notably since Iran's 1979 revolution, and the site of executions that remain potent symbols for the opposition. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz made clear that Israel was no longer limiting its attacks to its initial stated targets such as Iran's nuclear program and missiles, and would go after the Tehran government's ability to maintain power. "The IDF is currently striking, with unprecedented force, regime targets and governmental repression bodies in the heart of Tehran," he said in a statement. Since Trump joined Israel's campaign by dropping massive bunker-buster bombs on Iranian nuclear sites on Sunday morning, Iran has repeatedly threatened to retaliate. But while it has continued to fire missiles at Israel, it has yet to take action against the United States itself, either by firing at US bases or by targeting the 20 per cent of global oil shipments that pass near its coast at the mouth of the Gulf. "Mr Trump, the gambler, you may start this war, but we will be the ones to end it," Ebrahim Zolfaqari, spokesperson for Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya central military headquarters, said on Monday in English in a recorded video statement. Trump's administration has repeatedly said that its aim is solely to destroy Iran's nuclear program, not to open a wider war. But in a social media post on Sunday, Trump spoke of toppling the hardline clerical rulers who have been Washington's principal foes in the Middle East since Iran's 1979 revolution. "It's not politically correct to use the term, 'Regime Change,' but if the current Iranian Regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn't there be a Regime change??? MIGA!!!" he wrote. Experts surveying commercial satellite imagery said it appeared that the US attack had severely damaged the site of Iran's Fordo nuclear plant, built inside a mountain. Trump called the strike a "Bullseye!!!" Israel's air strikes on Iran have met little resistance from Iranian defences since Israel launched its surprise attack on June 13, killing many of Iran's top commanders. But Iran's ability to retaliate is far more limited than a few months ago, since Israel inflicted defeat on Iran's most feared regional proxy force, Hezbollah in Lebanon. Iran's most powerful client ruler, Syria's Bashar al-Assad, fell soon after. Iran's most effective threat to hurt the West would be to restrict global oil flows from the Gulf, but oil prices have not shot up to crisis levels. Iranian MPs have discussed shutting the Strait of Hormuz that leads into the Gulf, though no decision has been taken. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio played down the threat. "It's economic suicide for them if they do it. And we retain options to deal with that," he said. Israel targeted Evin prison in Tehran, one of the most potent symbols of Iran's governing system, in what Israel called the most intense bombing yet of the Iranian capital, a day after the United States joined the war by blasting nuclear sites. Iranon Monday repeated earlier threats to retaliate against the United States. But it had yet to do so in a meaningful way more than 24 hours after US bombers dropped 13,600 kg bunker-busters on its underground nuclear sites, while US President Donald Trump openly mused about overthrowing the Iranian government. Oil prices barely budged on the first trading day after the US joined the war, suggesting traders doubted Iran would follow through on threats to disrupt oil supplies from the Gulf. The Mizan news outlet of Iran's judiciary confirmed that the prison had been hit. It said part of the building was damaged but the situation was under control. A video posted by Israeli foreign minister Gideon Saar on X showed an explosion at a building with a sign identifying it as an entrance to Evin prison in northern Tehran and the accompanying words: "Viva la libertad!" - Spanish for 'Long live liberty.' Evin has been the primary prison for housing political detainees and security prisoners, notably since Iran's 1979 revolution, and the site of executions that remain potent symbols for the opposition. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz made clear that Israel was no longer limiting its attacks to its initial stated targets such as Iran's nuclear program and missiles, and would go after the Tehran government's ability to maintain power. "The IDF is currently striking, with unprecedented force, regime targets and governmental repression bodies in the heart of Tehran," he said in a statement. Since Trump joined Israel's campaign by dropping massive bunker-buster bombs on Iranian nuclear sites on Sunday morning, Iran has repeatedly threatened to retaliate. But while it has continued to fire missiles at Israel, it has yet to take action against the United States itself, either by firing at US bases or by targeting the 20 per cent of global oil shipments that pass near its coast at the mouth of the Gulf. "Mr Trump, the gambler, you may start this war, but we will be the ones to end it," Ebrahim Zolfaqari, spokesperson for Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya central military headquarters, said on Monday in English in a recorded video statement. Trump's administration has repeatedly said that its aim is solely to destroy Iran's nuclear program, not to open a wider war. But in a social media post on Sunday, Trump spoke of toppling the hardline clerical rulers who have been Washington's principal foes in the Middle East since Iran's 1979 revolution. "It's not politically correct to use the term, 'Regime Change,' but if the current Iranian Regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn't there be a Regime change??? MIGA!!!" he wrote. Experts surveying commercial satellite imagery said it appeared that the US attack had severely damaged the site of Iran's Fordo nuclear plant, built inside a mountain. Trump called the strike a "Bullseye!!!" Israel's air strikes on Iran have met little resistance from Iranian defences since Israel launched its surprise attack on June 13, killing many of Iran's top commanders. But Iran's ability to retaliate is far more limited than a few months ago, since Israel inflicted defeat on Iran's most feared regional proxy force, Hezbollah in Lebanon. Iran's most powerful client ruler, Syria's Bashar al-Assad, fell soon after. Iran's most effective threat to hurt the West would be to restrict global oil flows from the Gulf, but oil prices have not shot up to crisis levels. Iranian MPs have discussed shutting the Strait of Hormuz that leads into the Gulf, though no decision has been taken. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio played down the threat. "It's economic suicide for them if they do it. And we retain options to deal with that," he said. Israel targeted Evin prison in Tehran, one of the most potent symbols of Iran's governing system, in what Israel called the most intense bombing yet of the Iranian capital, a day after the United States joined the war by blasting nuclear sites. Iranon Monday repeated earlier threats to retaliate against the United States. But it had yet to do so in a meaningful way more than 24 hours after US bombers dropped 13,600 kg bunker-busters on its underground nuclear sites, while US President Donald Trump openly mused about overthrowing the Iranian government. Oil prices barely budged on the first trading day after the US joined the war, suggesting traders doubted Iran would follow through on threats to disrupt oil supplies from the Gulf. The Mizan news outlet of Iran's judiciary confirmed that the prison had been hit. It said part of the building was damaged but the situation was under control. A video posted by Israeli foreign minister Gideon Saar on X showed an explosion at a building with a sign identifying it as an entrance to Evin prison in northern Tehran and the accompanying words: "Viva la libertad!" - Spanish for 'Long live liberty.' Evin has been the primary prison for housing political detainees and security prisoners, notably since Iran's 1979 revolution, and the site of executions that remain potent symbols for the opposition. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz made clear that Israel was no longer limiting its attacks to its initial stated targets such as Iran's nuclear program and missiles, and would go after the Tehran government's ability to maintain power. "The IDF is currently striking, with unprecedented force, regime targets and governmental repression bodies in the heart of Tehran," he said in a statement. Since Trump joined Israel's campaign by dropping massive bunker-buster bombs on Iranian nuclear sites on Sunday morning, Iran has repeatedly threatened to retaliate. But while it has continued to fire missiles at Israel, it has yet to take action against the United States itself, either by firing at US bases or by targeting the 20 per cent of global oil shipments that pass near its coast at the mouth of the Gulf. "Mr Trump, the gambler, you may start this war, but we will be the ones to end it," Ebrahim Zolfaqari, spokesperson for Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya central military headquarters, said on Monday in English in a recorded video statement. Trump's administration has repeatedly said that its aim is solely to destroy Iran's nuclear program, not to open a wider war. But in a social media post on Sunday, Trump spoke of toppling the hardline clerical rulers who have been Washington's principal foes in the Middle East since Iran's 1979 revolution. "It's not politically correct to use the term, 'Regime Change,' but if the current Iranian Regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn't there be a Regime change??? MIGA!!!" he wrote. Experts surveying commercial satellite imagery said it appeared that the US attack had severely damaged the site of Iran's Fordo nuclear plant, built inside a mountain. Trump called the strike a "Bullseye!!!" Israel's air strikes on Iran have met little resistance from Iranian defences since Israel launched its surprise attack on June 13, killing many of Iran's top commanders. But Iran's ability to retaliate is far more limited than a few months ago, since Israel inflicted defeat on Iran's most feared regional proxy force, Hezbollah in Lebanon. Iran's most powerful client ruler, Syria's Bashar al-Assad, fell soon after. Iran's most effective threat to hurt the West would be to restrict global oil flows from the Gulf, but oil prices have not shot up to crisis levels. Iranian MPs have discussed shutting the Strait of Hormuz that leads into the Gulf, though no decision has been taken. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio played down the threat. "It's economic suicide for them if they do it. And we retain options to deal with that," he said. Israel targeted Evin prison in Tehran, one of the most potent symbols of Iran's governing system, in what Israel called the most intense bombing yet of the Iranian capital, a day after the United States joined the war by blasting nuclear sites. Iranon Monday repeated earlier threats to retaliate against the United States. But it had yet to do so in a meaningful way more than 24 hours after US bombers dropped 13,600 kg bunker-busters on its underground nuclear sites, while US President Donald Trump openly mused about overthrowing the Iranian government. Oil prices barely budged on the first trading day after the US joined the war, suggesting traders doubted Iran would follow through on threats to disrupt oil supplies from the Gulf. The Mizan news outlet of Iran's judiciary confirmed that the prison had been hit. It said part of the building was damaged but the situation was under control. A video posted by Israeli foreign minister Gideon Saar on X showed an explosion at a building with a sign identifying it as an entrance to Evin prison in northern Tehran and the accompanying words: "Viva la libertad!" - Spanish for 'Long live liberty.' Evin has been the primary prison for housing political detainees and security prisoners, notably since Iran's 1979 revolution, and the site of executions that remain potent symbols for the opposition. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz made clear that Israel was no longer limiting its attacks to its initial stated targets such as Iran's nuclear program and missiles, and would go after the Tehran government's ability to maintain power. "The IDF is currently striking, with unprecedented force, regime targets and governmental repression bodies in the heart of Tehran," he said in a statement. Since Trump joined Israel's campaign by dropping massive bunker-buster bombs on Iranian nuclear sites on Sunday morning, Iran has repeatedly threatened to retaliate. But while it has continued to fire missiles at Israel, it has yet to take action against the United States itself, either by firing at US bases or by targeting the 20 per cent of global oil shipments that pass near its coast at the mouth of the Gulf. "Mr Trump, the gambler, you may start this war, but we will be the ones to end it," Ebrahim Zolfaqari, spokesperson for Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya central military headquarters, said on Monday in English in a recorded video statement. Trump's administration has repeatedly said that its aim is solely to destroy Iran's nuclear program, not to open a wider war. But in a social media post on Sunday, Trump spoke of toppling the hardline clerical rulers who have been Washington's principal foes in the Middle East since Iran's 1979 revolution. "It's not politically correct to use the term, 'Regime Change,' but if the current Iranian Regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn't there be a Regime change??? MIGA!!!" he wrote. Experts surveying commercial satellite imagery said it appeared that the US attack had severely damaged the site of Iran's Fordo nuclear plant, built inside a mountain. Trump called the strike a "Bullseye!!!" Israel's air strikes on Iran have met little resistance from Iranian defences since Israel launched its surprise attack on June 13, killing many of Iran's top commanders. But Iran's ability to retaliate is far more limited than a few months ago, since Israel inflicted defeat on Iran's most feared regional proxy force, Hezbollah in Lebanon. Iran's most powerful client ruler, Syria's Bashar al-Assad, fell soon after. Iran's most effective threat to hurt the West would be to restrict global oil flows from the Gulf, but oil prices have not shot up to crisis levels. Iranian MPs have discussed shutting the Strait of Hormuz that leads into the Gulf, though no decision has been taken. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio played down the threat. "It's economic suicide for them if they do it. And we retain options to deal with that," he said.
Daily Telegraph
2 hours ago
- Daily Telegraph
‘Still interested': Donald Trump's Iran claim as strikes continue
Don't miss out on the headlines from World. Followed categories will be added to My News. Donald Trump has urged Iranians to overthrow their government if it refuses to negotiate on its nuclear program, but the US president is 'still interested' in diplomacy. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt spoke about the US' strikes against Iranian nuclear sites on Monday morning, US time. She also said Mr Trump had 'prevented a nuclear conflict' with his actions and that no other president aside Mr Trump had 'the guts' to carry out Saturday's mission. Following the strikes on the weekend, American officials were at pains to say that tithe US' main target was Iran's nuclear production sites and not the theocratic regime. However, in social media posts, Mr Trump has floated the possibility that Supreme Leader Ali Hosseini Khamenei could be ousted. 'If the current Iranian Regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn't there be a Regime change???' he wrote on Sunday, without explicating saying the US would help in such an endeavour. Talking to reporters on Monday, Ms Leavitt said Mr Trump was 'simply raising a question' about whether Iran's dictatorship should remain. US President Donald Trump speaking from the White House in Washington, DC on June 21, 2025, following the announcement that the US bombed nuclear sites in Iran. (Photo by CARLOS BARRIA / POOL / AFP) 'But as far as far as our military posture, it has not been changed,' she added. Later talking to Fox News, she insisted that Mr Trump wanted a diplomatic solution. 'If the Iranian regime refuses to come to a peaceful diplomatic solution, which the president is still interested and engaging in, by the way, why shouldn't the Iranian people take away the power of this incredibly violent regime that has been suppressing them for decades?' Ms Leavitt heaped praise on her boss and his 'guts'. 'Presidents dating back to Democrat Bill Clinton, have said that Iran could not obtain a nuclear weapon, but none of them had the courage to actually do something about it, 'This is an operation that presidents of the past have dreamt about, but no president had the guts to actually do it, but President Trump did to take away this imminent threat not just to the State of Israel, but to the United States and the rest of the world'. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt walks over to speak with reporters at the White House, Monday, June 23, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Trump prevented 'nuclear conflict' While some have feared that the US' actions could lead to escalators actions and that Iran may still possess the ability to create a nuclear weapon, Ms Leavitt was bullish. '(The US) is a safer place today because of the President's bold action, and he has prevented a nuclear conflict. 'He has prevented a rogue radical regime from obtaining a nuclear bomb and threatening our people. 'Nobody knows what it means to accomplish peace through strength better than President Trump. 'He is the one who came up with that motto and that foreign policy doctrine, and he successfully implemented it in his first term, and this is one of many steps he is taking to successfully implement peace in his second term'. Ms Leavitt said that Mr Trump wanted a 'peaceful and prosperous Middle East'. Originally published as 'Still interested': Trump's Iran claim
The Advertiser
2 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Parents aren't monitoring kids online, despite most knowing tools available
More than half of Australian parents are not using online safety parental controls, new research provided exclusively to ACM has found. The survey of 1007 Australian parents of children aged 17 and younger, commissioned by the photo and video app Snapchat, examined awareness levels, uptake and attitudes towards online safety parental tools. It found that while 82 per cent of Australian parents are aware of online safety parental controls, 57 per cent are not using them on apps and online platforms. The survey found that when Australian parents do use parental tools, the overwhelming majority find them helpful. Of the 66 per cent that have used online safety parental controls, 92 per cent say they help them keep their family safer online, and 93 per cent would recommend their use to other families. Parents of teens were less likely to have used parental tools and controls than those with children 5-12 years old. The research comes amid an under-16s social media ban in Australia, which will come into effect later this year. The laws will capture platforms including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Reddit and X (formerly Twitter). Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said at the time that social media is doing "social harm" to young Australians, and he was calling time on it. "The safety and mental health of our young people has to be a priority, and my government will do all that we can to protect our young Australians, but also to provide support for parents and teachers who are dealing with these issues. Snapchat's global safety head Jacqueline Beauchere rejected the ban in August 2024, saying the decision was one that should be left to families. "Arguably, a young person could potentially be a bit more mature at 16 than they are at 13, but that is for an individual family to decide, and that's based on a number of factors," she told AAP. "These decisions really need to be made as a family unit with, hopefully, parents involved or other caregivers or guardians or other trusted adults, to really know if that young person is ready to be part of social media." Cybersafety consultant Susan MacLean said parents were grappling with a digital world that many didn't experience when they themselves were growing up. Ms MacLean said while awareness of parental controls was growing, too many Australian parents still aren't utilising the options available to them. "When young people become teenagers, often getting a mobile phone for the first time, their use of technology can increase substantially," she said. "So using parental tools is just as important for families with high schoolers at home, to help ensure they are set up for safer experiences online." It was important that parents of teenagers were using safety tools, not just parents of primary school-aged children. She advised parents to speak to their children regularly about how to stay safe online, set up accounts and devices together and establish clear rules about the use of technology as well as parental safety tools. "Parental tools should be a vital part of any family's online safety strategy," she said. More than half of Australian parents are not using online safety parental controls, new research provided exclusively to ACM has found. The survey of 1007 Australian parents of children aged 17 and younger, commissioned by the photo and video app Snapchat, examined awareness levels, uptake and attitudes towards online safety parental tools. It found that while 82 per cent of Australian parents are aware of online safety parental controls, 57 per cent are not using them on apps and online platforms. The survey found that when Australian parents do use parental tools, the overwhelming majority find them helpful. Of the 66 per cent that have used online safety parental controls, 92 per cent say they help them keep their family safer online, and 93 per cent would recommend their use to other families. Parents of teens were less likely to have used parental tools and controls than those with children 5-12 years old. The research comes amid an under-16s social media ban in Australia, which will come into effect later this year. The laws will capture platforms including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Reddit and X (formerly Twitter). Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said at the time that social media is doing "social harm" to young Australians, and he was calling time on it. "The safety and mental health of our young people has to be a priority, and my government will do all that we can to protect our young Australians, but also to provide support for parents and teachers who are dealing with these issues. Snapchat's global safety head Jacqueline Beauchere rejected the ban in August 2024, saying the decision was one that should be left to families. "Arguably, a young person could potentially be a bit more mature at 16 than they are at 13, but that is for an individual family to decide, and that's based on a number of factors," she told AAP. "These decisions really need to be made as a family unit with, hopefully, parents involved or other caregivers or guardians or other trusted adults, to really know if that young person is ready to be part of social media." Cybersafety consultant Susan MacLean said parents were grappling with a digital world that many didn't experience when they themselves were growing up. Ms MacLean said while awareness of parental controls was growing, too many Australian parents still aren't utilising the options available to them. "When young people become teenagers, often getting a mobile phone for the first time, their use of technology can increase substantially," she said. "So using parental tools is just as important for families with high schoolers at home, to help ensure they are set up for safer experiences online." It was important that parents of teenagers were using safety tools, not just parents of primary school-aged children. She advised parents to speak to their children regularly about how to stay safe online, set up accounts and devices together and establish clear rules about the use of technology as well as parental safety tools. "Parental tools should be a vital part of any family's online safety strategy," she said. More than half of Australian parents are not using online safety parental controls, new research provided exclusively to ACM has found. The survey of 1007 Australian parents of children aged 17 and younger, commissioned by the photo and video app Snapchat, examined awareness levels, uptake and attitudes towards online safety parental tools. It found that while 82 per cent of Australian parents are aware of online safety parental controls, 57 per cent are not using them on apps and online platforms. The survey found that when Australian parents do use parental tools, the overwhelming majority find them helpful. Of the 66 per cent that have used online safety parental controls, 92 per cent say they help them keep their family safer online, and 93 per cent would recommend their use to other families. Parents of teens were less likely to have used parental tools and controls than those with children 5-12 years old. The research comes amid an under-16s social media ban in Australia, which will come into effect later this year. The laws will capture platforms including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Reddit and X (formerly Twitter). Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said at the time that social media is doing "social harm" to young Australians, and he was calling time on it. "The safety and mental health of our young people has to be a priority, and my government will do all that we can to protect our young Australians, but also to provide support for parents and teachers who are dealing with these issues. Snapchat's global safety head Jacqueline Beauchere rejected the ban in August 2024, saying the decision was one that should be left to families. "Arguably, a young person could potentially be a bit more mature at 16 than they are at 13, but that is for an individual family to decide, and that's based on a number of factors," she told AAP. "These decisions really need to be made as a family unit with, hopefully, parents involved or other caregivers or guardians or other trusted adults, to really know if that young person is ready to be part of social media." Cybersafety consultant Susan MacLean said parents were grappling with a digital world that many didn't experience when they themselves were growing up. Ms MacLean said while awareness of parental controls was growing, too many Australian parents still aren't utilising the options available to them. "When young people become teenagers, often getting a mobile phone for the first time, their use of technology can increase substantially," she said. "So using parental tools is just as important for families with high schoolers at home, to help ensure they are set up for safer experiences online." It was important that parents of teenagers were using safety tools, not just parents of primary school-aged children. She advised parents to speak to their children regularly about how to stay safe online, set up accounts and devices together and establish clear rules about the use of technology as well as parental safety tools. "Parental tools should be a vital part of any family's online safety strategy," she said. More than half of Australian parents are not using online safety parental controls, new research provided exclusively to ACM has found. The survey of 1007 Australian parents of children aged 17 and younger, commissioned by the photo and video app Snapchat, examined awareness levels, uptake and attitudes towards online safety parental tools. It found that while 82 per cent of Australian parents are aware of online safety parental controls, 57 per cent are not using them on apps and online platforms. The survey found that when Australian parents do use parental tools, the overwhelming majority find them helpful. Of the 66 per cent that have used online safety parental controls, 92 per cent say they help them keep their family safer online, and 93 per cent would recommend their use to other families. Parents of teens were less likely to have used parental tools and controls than those with children 5-12 years old. The research comes amid an under-16s social media ban in Australia, which will come into effect later this year. The laws will capture platforms including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Reddit and X (formerly Twitter). Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said at the time that social media is doing "social harm" to young Australians, and he was calling time on it. "The safety and mental health of our young people has to be a priority, and my government will do all that we can to protect our young Australians, but also to provide support for parents and teachers who are dealing with these issues. Snapchat's global safety head Jacqueline Beauchere rejected the ban in August 2024, saying the decision was one that should be left to families. "Arguably, a young person could potentially be a bit more mature at 16 than they are at 13, but that is for an individual family to decide, and that's based on a number of factors," she told AAP. "These decisions really need to be made as a family unit with, hopefully, parents involved or other caregivers or guardians or other trusted adults, to really know if that young person is ready to be part of social media." Cybersafety consultant Susan MacLean said parents were grappling with a digital world that many didn't experience when they themselves were growing up. Ms MacLean said while awareness of parental controls was growing, too many Australian parents still aren't utilising the options available to them. "When young people become teenagers, often getting a mobile phone for the first time, their use of technology can increase substantially," she said. "So using parental tools is just as important for families with high schoolers at home, to help ensure they are set up for safer experiences online." It was important that parents of teenagers were using safety tools, not just parents of primary school-aged children. She advised parents to speak to their children regularly about how to stay safe online, set up accounts and devices together and establish clear rules about the use of technology as well as parental safety tools. "Parental tools should be a vital part of any family's online safety strategy," she said.
