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Can Israel and Hamas be held to account for alleged crimes against civilians?

<p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/amy-maguire-129609">Amy Maguire</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-newcastle-1060">University of Newcastle</a></em></p> <p><a href="https://www.redcross.org.au/ihl/">International humanitarian law</a> – the law of armed conflict – aims to constrain how wars are fought. It is designed to protect noncombatants and limit the means of warfare.</p> <p>As each hour brings news of further horror in the Israel-Hamas conflict, what role should international law be playing? And does it actually have any capacity to constrain the behaviour of the combatants?</p> <h2>A humanitarian nightmare is unfolding</h2> <p>On <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2023/10/16/middleeast/israel-hamas-gaza-war-explained-week-2-mime-intl/index.html">October 7</a>, the Hamas militant group launched thousands of rockets against Israel in advance of a ground attack. Militants <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/International/live-updates/israel-gaza-hamas/?id=103804516#:%7E:text=ABC%20News%20Chief%20Global%20Affairs,war%20in%20Israel%20and%20Gaza.&amp;text=At%20least%201%2C400%20people%20have,7%2C%20Israeli%20authorities%20said.">killed</a> more than 1,400 people and wounded 3,400 others in towns and kibbutzim across southern Israel. It was the <a href="https://theconversation.com/deadliest-day-for-jews-since-the-holocaust-spurs-a-crisis-of-confidence-in-the-idea-of-israel-and-its-possible-renewal-215507">deadliest day</a> for Jewish people since the Holocaust.</p> <p>Most of those killed were civilians, including many <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/International/horror-israeli-authorities-show-footage-hamas-atrocities-reporters-notebook/story?id=104015431#:%7E:text=It%20was%20part%20of%20the,injured%20in%20Israel%2C%20authorities%20said.">children</a> who were shot, blown up or burned to death. Hundreds of young people were also <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/10/08/israel-festival-attack-gaza-militants/">massacred</a> at a music festival, and Hamas took around 200 <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/former-hamas-chief-meshaal-says-israeli-captives-include-high-ranking-officers-2023-10-16/">hostages</a> back to Gaza.</p> <p>Israel is responding to this attack with <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/International/live-updates/israel-gaza-hamas/?id=103804516#:%7E:text=ABC%20News%20Chief%20Global%20Affairs,war%20in%20Israel%20and%20Gaza.&amp;text=At%20least%201%2C400%20people%20have,7%2C%20Israeli%20authorities%20said.">airstrikes</a>, which have to date <a href="https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/israel-hamas-war-gaza-palestinians/card/latest-death-tolls-in-gaza-and-israel-xJRhBt04VQMocRuYUtsA">killed</a> at least 4,000 people in Gaza and injured thousands more. The vast majority of these casualties are Palestinian civilians.</p> <p>Israel has also rapidly mobilised around <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/10/10/israel-military-draft-reservists/">360,000 reservists</a> in preparation for an anticipated ground offensive on Gaza.</p> <p>In recent days, a blast at a <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/17/world/middleeast/gaza-hospital-explosion-israel.html">Gaza hospital</a> killed hundreds, including patients and displaced people seeking sanctuary. Hamas and several Arab states have <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/oct/18/israel-faces-blame-from-regional-allies-over-gaza-hospital-deaths">blamed</a> Israel for the explosion, while Israel has <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/17/world/middleeast/islamic-jihad-gaza-hospital-israel.html">blamed</a> Palestinian Islamic Jihad.</p> <p>The situation in Gaza is dire for people with urgent needs, including <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-10-18/israel-gaza-war-live-updates-october-18/102989182?utm_campaign=abc_news_web&amp;utm_content=link&amp;utm_medium=content_shared&amp;utm_source=abc_news_web#live-blog-post-55243">5,000 women</a> due to give birth this month and <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/16/world/middleeast/gaza-evacuation-twin-babies-hospital.html#:%7E:text=The%20babies%2C%20Nuha%20and%20Fatin,of%20an%20Israeli%20ground%20invasion.">newborn babies</a> whose families cannot find drinking water to prepare formula.</p> <p>Meanwhile, Israel has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/oct/12/no-power-water-or-fuel-to-gaza-until-hostages-freed-says-israeli-minister">cut off</a> water, electricity and fuel supplies to Gaza and ordered a <a href="https://theconversation.com/gaza-is-being-strangled-why-israels-evacuation-order-violates-international-law-215787">total siege</a> of the territory. Israel has also ordered residents of northern Gaza to <a href="https://www.hrw.org/news/2023/10/16/why-israels-gaza-evacuation-order-so-alarming">evacuate</a> to the south. Aid agencies have been unable to provide desperately needed <a href="https://time.com/6324539/israel-gaza-humanitarian-aid-egypt-border/">humanitarian assistance</a> to civilians through the border crossing with Egypt.</p> <p>Prior to this latest horrific escalation, Gaza was already entrenched in a <a href="https://theconversation.com/gaza-has-been-blockaded-for-16-years-heres-what-a-complete-siege-and-invasion-could-mean-for-vital-supplies-215359">humanitarian crisis</a>. The situation now is beyond comprehension.</p> <p><a href="https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/radionational-breakfast/gaza-610/102983118">Léo Cans</a>, the head of mission for Doctors Without Borders in Palestine, said hospitals are being overwhelmed and hundreds will die without electricity being restored: "This is something that is known and could be prevented just by letting fuel and supplies inside Gaza. What is ahead of us is beyond words […] at the end of the road it’s a big wall, and this big wall is full of dead people."</p> <h2>Principles governing the conduct of war</h2> <p>International humanitarian law is a pragmatic body of law. Its existence acknowledges the inevitability of armed conflict and it aims to mitigate war’s impact on people.</p> <p>International humanitarian law is not, in itself, concerned with the justifications for why combatants engage in war. It applies even in situations where a state is entitled to act in self-defence under broader international law.</p> <p>We are witnessing gross violations of fundamental humanitarian law principles in the conflict. Here are some examples:</p> <p><strong>Distinction between civilians and combatants</strong></p> <p>Attacks are considered <a href="https://ihl-databases.icrc.org/en/ihl-treaties/api-1977/article-51">unlawful</a> if they are:</p> <ul> <li> <p>directed specifically against civilians</p> </li> <li> <p>launched indiscriminately without distinction between civilians and combatants</p> </li> <li> <p>or directed at military targets but anticipated to cause harm to civilians disproportionate to the military advantage being sought.</p> </li> </ul> <p><strong>Methods of warfare</strong></p> <p>It is <a href="https://casebook.icrc.org/law/conduct-hostilities#iii_1">unlawful</a> to conduct war in a manner that causes unnecessary suffering. Attacks targeting civilians are fundamentally unnecessary and, therefore, illegal.</p> <p><strong>Collective punishment</strong></p> <p>The fourth Geneva Convention prohibits <a href="https://ihl-databases.icrc.org/en/ihl-treaties/gciv-1949/article-33">collective punishment</a>: "No protected person may be punished for an offence he or she has not personally committed. Collective penalties and likewise all measures of intimidation or of terrorism are prohibited."</p> <p>This prohibition reflects the idea of <a href="https://guide-humanitarian-law.org/content/article/3/collective-punishment/">individual criminal responsibility</a> under international criminal law. Prosecutions for breaches of humanitarian law are directed towards individuals who can be proven responsible, rather than against states or populations.</p> <p><strong>Humanitarian protection</strong></p> <p>Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions requires <a href="https://www.icrc.org/en/doc/war-and-law/treaties-customary-law/geneva-conventions/overview-geneva-conventions.htm">humane protection</a> for all people in enemy hands. It prohibits murder and hostage-taking. It also requires the provision of humanitarian assistance to all people without distinction.</p> <p><strong>Obligations of occupying powers</strong></p> <p>It is arguable Israel is a de facto occupying power of the Gaza Strip because it has such a <a href="https://theconversation.com/gaza-is-being-strangled-why-israels-evacuation-order-violates-international-law-215787">high level of control</a> over people’s lives. For example, it has the ability to shut off supplies of essential life services. The argument Israel is occupying Gaza will be strengthened should Israel launch a ground invasion.</p> <p>As such, the rules of international humanitarian law on occupiers are also relevant. These include an obligation to <a href="https://ihl-databases.icrc.org/en/ihl-treaties/hague-conv-iv-1907/regulations-art-43#:%7E:text=Regulations%3A%20Art.-,43,in%20force%20in%20the%20country.">protect</a> civilians from attacks and <a href="https://humanrights.gov.au/our-work/commission-general/international-covenant-civil-and-political-rights-human-rights-your#:%7E:text=opinions%20without%20interference.-,2.,other%20media%20of%20his%20choice.">respect their human rights</a>.</p> <h2>Hamas and humanitarian law</h2> <p>International humanitarian law applies to all combatants, whether they are state or non-state actors. UN independent experts say Hamas has clearly committed <a href="https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2023/10/israeloccupied-palestinian-territory-un-experts-deplore-attacks-civilians">war crimes</a>, including the murders and hostage-taking of Israeli civilians.</p> <p>Hamas also put Palestinian civilians in harm’s way by <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/hamas-tells-gaza-residents-stay-home-israel-ground-offensive-looms-2023-10-13/#:%7E:text=Eyad%20Al%2DBozom%2C%20spokesman%20for,your%20homes%2C%20and%20your%20places.">telling them</a> not to evacuate to southern Gaza, as ordered by Israel. The group has a history of using civilians as <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-the-laws-of-war-apply-to-the-conflict-between-israel-and-hamas-215493">human shields</a> as a <a href="https://stratcomcoe.org/cuploads/pfiles/hamas_human_shields.pdf">strategic tool</a> in conflicts with Israel.</p> <p>However, holding Hamas accountable for violating international humanitarian law is very challenging. As a non-state actor, Hamas is not a member of forums like the United Nations, where pressure may be brought to bear on member states.</p> <p>If individual Hamas militants are apprehended, they could be charged with <a href="https://www.thenewhumanitarian.org/interview/2023/10/17/how-have-israel-and-hamas-broken-laws-war">war crimes</a> and tried in Israeli courts or the International Criminal Court. Even though Hamas is a non-state actor, <a href="https://www.icc-cpi.int/victims/state-palestine">Palestine</a> has accepted the court’s jurisdiction.</p> <p>In fact, the International Criminal Court opened an <a href="https://www.lawfaremedia.org/article/where-does-the-icc-palestine-investigation-stand">investigation</a> into alleged war crimes in Palestine in 2021. The current Gaza conflict would fall within the court’s mandate and could lead it to direct greater energy to that ongoing investigation.</p> <p>The court’s chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, said on October 13: "We have jurisdiction for any Rome Statute crimes […] committed by Palestinians in Israel and also we have clear jurisdiction for any crimes committed by the forces of Israel in Palestine."</p> <h2>Israel and humanitarian law</h2> <p>Israel and its allies also have a complex relationship with international humanitarian law.</p> <p>One key issue is Israel’s right to self-defence in response to the October 7 attack by Hamas. International law confirms a state may use force to <a href="https://casebook.icrc.org/a_to_z/glossary/self-defence#:%7E:text=Self%2Ddefense%20in%20international%20law,Charter%20and%20customary%20international%20law.">defend</a> itself in response to an armed attack. Israel, the United States and other allies <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/speeches-remarks/2023/10/10/remarks-by-president-biden-on-the-terrorist-attacks-in-israel-2/">contend</a> the Hamas attack triggered Israel’s <a href="https://www.foreignminister.gov.au/minister/penny-wong/speech/speech-senate-hamas-attacks-israel-senate-motion-parliament-house">right to self-defence</a>.</p> <p>But there is a distinction to be drawn between a state’s right to self-defence and what that right permits, in the sense of how war is conducted.</p> <p>For example, UN independent experts have <a href="https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2023/10/israeloccupied-palestinian-territory-un-experts-deplore-attacks-civilians">condemned</a> Israel’s “indiscriminate military attacks” against Palestinian civilians: "This amounts to collective punishment. There is no justification for violence that indiscriminately targets innocent civilians, whether by Hamas or Israeli forces. This is absolutely prohibited under international law and amounts to a war crime."</p> <p>Neither <a href="https://arabcenterdc.org/resource/the-international-criminal-courts-failure-to-hold-israel-accountable/">Israel</a> nor the <a href="https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/09/02/qa-international-criminal-court-and-united-states">United States</a> is a party to the International Criminal Court. Neither state would accept the court’s jurisdiction over its nationals. Indeed, the United States has <a href="https://www.state.gov/the-united-states-opposes-the-icc-investigation-into-the-palestinian-situation/">condemned</a> the court’s decision to open its investigation into alleged war crimes in Palestine.</p> <p>In time, the court may seek to hold Israeli nationals accountable for war crimes, but its capacity to do so seems very limited.</p> <h2>What about the United Nations?</h2> <p>UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has <a href="https://www.voanews.com/a/un-s-guterres-denounces-collective-punishment-of-palestinians/7315616.html">called</a> for an immediate ceasefire.</p> <p>He said the grievances of the Palestinian people after more than 50 years of occupation do not “justify the acts of terror committed by Hamas”. And he said the Hamas attack on October 7 does not “justify the collective punishment of the Palestinian people”.</p> <p>UN human rights chief Volker Türk has also <a href="https://www.ctvnews.ca/world/un-human-rights-lead-warns-of-consequences-for-breaching-humanitarian-law-amid-israel-hamas-war-1.6605453">warned</a> all parties that violations of humanitarian law will have consequences, and those who commit war crimes will be held accountable.</p> <p>But the <a href="https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/#:%7E:text=The%20Security%20Council%20has%20primary,to%20comply%20with%20Council%20decisions.">UN Security Council</a>, which is charged with maintaining international peace and security, has yet to agree on a <a href="https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/10/1142467">statement</a> on the conflict.</p> <p>The <a href="https://reliefweb.int/report/occupied-palestinian-territory/4-members-favour-5-against-security-council-rejects-russian-federations-resolution-calling-immediate-humanitarian-ceasefire-israel-palestine-crisis">debate</a> in the council since the latest escalation in this perpetual conflict demonstrates the deep diplomatic fault lines between the key global players and the warring parties.</p> <p>At this point, a sad reality is that international law and global institutions can do little to constrain the actions of the combatants on both sides or provide assistance to the millions at grave risk of harm.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/215705/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /></p> <p><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/amy-maguire-129609"><em>Amy Maguire</em></a><em>, Associate Professor in Human Rights and International Law, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-newcastle-1060">University of Newcastle</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/can-israel-and-hamas-be-held-to-account-for-alleged-crimes-against-civilians-215705">original article</a>.</em></p>

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Is 13 too young to have a TikTok or Instagram account?

<p>The surgeon general is the “<a href="https://www.hhs.gov/surgeongeneral/index.html">nation’s doctor</a>” in the United States. They are tasked with giving Americans the “best scientific information” about their health.</p> <p>Late last month, the current US surgeon general, Vivek Murthy, <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2023/01/29/health/surgeon-general-social-media/index.html">warned</a> 13 is too young to join social media. He said it poses a risk to young people’s “self-worth and their relationships”, adding, "I, personally, based on the data I’ve seen, believe that 13 is too early […] the skewed and often distorted environment of social media often does a disservice to many of those children."</p> <p>Is 13 too young? What should parents think about when it comes to their kids and social media accounts?</p> <h2>Why are we talking about 13?</h2> <p>Major social media platforms, including <a href="https://help.twitter.com/en/managing-your-account/account-restoration">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://about.instagram.com/blog/announcements/new-ways-to-verify-age-on-instagram">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/help/157793540954833">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/safety/en/guardians-guide/">TikTok</a>, require users to be at least 13. This includes those in Australia and New Zealand.<br />This minimum age requirement stems from <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/rules/childrens-online-privacy-protection-rule-coppa">1998 US legislation</a> which banned the collection of children’s personal data without parental consent.</p> <p>For many parents, schools and cybersafety experts, this minimum age has become something of a benchmark. Many assume it comes with the implicit assurance social media platforms are appropriate and safe for children once they turn 13. Conversely, they also assume they are unsafe for children under 13.</p> <p>But this is not necessarily the case.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">When I speak with kids &amp; parents about <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/YouthMentalHealth?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#YouthMentalHealth</a>, the number one question I get is if social media is harming our kids. Based on the data I’ve seen and the conversations I’ve had, I believe 13 is too young for our kids to start using social media. <a href="https://t.co/vpBEcWySFc">https://t.co/vpBEcWySFc</a></p> <p>— Dr. Vivek Murthy, U.S. Surgeon General (@Surgeon_General) <a href="https://twitter.com/Surgeon_General/status/1621644953347563526?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 3, 2023</a></p></blockquote> <h2>What does the evidence say?</h2> <p>Social media platforms do present some risks for young people. These include <a href="https://theconversation.com/cyberbullying-among-teens-our-research-shows-online-abuse-and-school-bullying-are-often-linked-119442">online bullying</a> and harassment, exposure to misinformation and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2022/dec/15/tiktok-self-harm-study-results-every-parents-nightmare">inappropriate content</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/children-can-be-exposed-to-sexual-predators-online-so-how-can-parents-teach-them-to-be-safe-120661">grooming</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/dozens-of-us-schools-universities-move-to-ban-tiktok-197393">privacy breaches</a> and excessive use.</p> <p>Stories documenting the potentially harmful effects of social media are rarely out of the news. Studies claim links between social media and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2022/mar/28/social-media-may-affect-girls-mental-health-earlier-than-boys-study-finds">poor mental health</a> and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2023/jan/01/social-media-triggers-children-to-dislike-their-own-bodies-says-study">low self-esteem</a>.</p> <p>These findings are concerning, and there is no doubt social media may negatively affect some young people’s wellbeing. However, it is not a straightforward question.</p> <p>While these studies might find a correlation or link between excessive social media use and poor self-esteem, for example, they rarely point to direct causation. Young people already experiencing low self-esteem and depression may use social media significantly more than others.</p> <h2>So why don’t we just increase the age?</h2> <p>Murthy acknowledges it is difficult to keep kids off their devices and social media. But he suggests parents band together, "and say you know, as a group, we’re not going to allow our kids to use social media until 16 or 17 or 18."</p> <p>But any increase in the age - whether formal or informal – will not necessarily keep children safer online. Children can easily falsify their ages (<a href="https://academic.oup.com/jcmc/article/18/3/303/4067510">many already do</a>). And young people are good at finding creative and secretive ways of doing what they want regardless.</p> <h2>Why can’t parents just say no?</h2> <p>It is often suggested – by cyber safety experts – that parents <a href="https://www.cybersafetysolutions.com.au/top-tips/">just say no</a>. This message has been reinforced by celebrity commentators such as British actress Kate Winslet, who recently told the BBC, "My children don’t have social media and haven’t had social media."</p> <p>While these approaches may work with younger kids, older children are unlikely to simply comply. Blanket bans and restrictions not only lead to <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/1461444816655099?casa_token=q7SXs7TW4vMAAAAA:F8rirALQj6c2dGZb3pH8OHPbfy7zqwG-pkktOkU6H7Ig6MKg1jmbVNBHFt17bCOh8IfGOsVpsw5aPg">family conflict</a>, but are also more likely to lead to children using social media without parental consent or <a href="https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/parenting4digitalfuture/2017/02/07/digital-skills-matter-in-the-quest-for-the-holy-grail/">knowledge</a>.</p> <p>This is a problem because parents play an important role in helping children navigate online spaces, including the sometimes fraught nature of peer relationships on social media.</p> <p>If a child has a social media account without parental permission, they are much less likely to seek out their parents for help if they have a problem online, for fear of getting into trouble or having their device taken away.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cl3aWdyPqGw/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cl3aWdyPqGw/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by BBC Woman's Hour (@bbcwomanshour)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <h2>Children also have a right to be online</h2> <p>Discussion about risks also tends to ignore the <a href="https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2022/11/16/connection-creativity-and-drama-teen-life-on-social-media-in-2022/">potential benefits</a> of being online.</p> <p>Social media is incredibly important for many young people. It keeps them connected with friends and extended family, provides a platform for creativity and self-expression, and enables civic participation and activism.</p> <p>Social media also provides access to like-minded individuals and communities who may provide solidarity and support, especially for marginalised teens.</p> <p>Children, particularly teenagers, also have a right to participate in online spaces, including use of social media.</p> <p>The United Nations’ Committee on the Rights of the Child <a href="https://docstore.ohchr.org/SelfServices/FilesHandler.ashx?enc=6QkG1d%2FPPRiCAqhKb7yhsqIkirKQZLK2M58RF%2F5F0vEG%2BcAAx34gC78FwvnmZXGFUl9nJBDpKR1dfKekJxW2w9nNryRsgArkTJgKelqeZwK9WXzMkZRZd37nLN1bFc2t">notes</a> children have the right to “meaningful access to digital technologies” as a way of realising the full range of their civil, political, cultural, economic and social rights.</p> <h2>So, when should my child get a TikTok account?</h2> <p>There is no one-size-fits-all approach here. Children vary tremendously in terms of their maturity, skills, life experience and judgement.</p> <p>On top of this, online risk is not equally distributed, as children who are <a href="https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/parenting4digitalfuture/2019/02/20/vulnerable-offline-and-at-risk-online/">more vulnerable offline are more vulnerable online</a>. For example, children with mental health problems, learning difficulties, a disability or who have problems at home are more likely to experience high-risk situations online.</p> <p>In deciding whether your child is ready for a social media account, parents might consider:</p> <ul> <li> <p>Is my child especially vulnerable to online harms?</p> </li> <li> <p>Does my child have the required maturity and resilience to manage potentially negative online social interactions?</p> </li> <li> <p>Does my child listen to advice and follow rules?</p> </li> <li> <p>Is my child aware of the risks, and do they have strategies for managing them?</p> </li> <li> <p>Will my child come to me with any problems they encounter online?</p> </li> </ul> <p>Parents might also consider their children’s offline lives, as these often carry over into online spaces. This includes what their friendships are like, their propensity for taking risks, and their ability to consider the consequences of their actions.</p> <h2>Start talking early</h2> <p>The best thing that parents can do is initiate conversations about social media and the internet early and often.</p> <p>Many issues that play out on social media are extensions of young people’s existing peer relationships. Parents can talk to their children about their friends and peers, show an interest in their child’s online activities, and openly discuss their child’s rights and responsibilities online.</p> <p>Some parents may wish to set reasonable expectations and rules about appropriate use of social media. Documenting these expectations through a “family technology agreement” that is negotiated <a href="https://eprints.lse.ac.uk/106403/1/parenting4digitalfuture_2020_08_19_parenting_for_a_digital_future.pdf">democratically</a> as a family, rather than through top-down rules, is more likely to succeed.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p> <p><em>This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/is-13-too-young-to-have-a-tiktok-or-instagram-account-199097" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>. </em></p>

Technology

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Savings accounts or term deposits: where should you put your cash?

<p>Whether you’re saving money for the short or the long term, choosing between a <a href="http://mozo.com.au/savings-accounts-" target="_blank" rel="noopener">savings account</a> or a <a href="http://mozo.com.au/term-deposits" target="_blank" rel="noopener">term deposit</a> should be a considered decision.</p> <p>The key differences between the two need to be balanced against your financial goals to help you decide which way to go.</p> <p><strong>Access to your money</strong> –Term deposits lock your money away for a period of time starting at a minimum of one month and up to as long as several years. So make sure you won’t need to get your hands on your cash for a while.</p> <p>Savings accounts give you more direct access to your money but generally offer a lower interest rate than their term deposit counterparts. They let you take your money out when you need or want it.</p> <p><strong>Interest rates</strong> –Savings accounts have variable interest rates, so they can change. Some rates are introductory so they’re only held for a certain amount of time, then they drop to a lower variable rate. Read the fine print to see if and when the rate changes, and to what amount. Some savings accounts give you bonus interest if you don’t make a withdrawal or you make a minimum monthly deposit. Be aware too that some accounts might reduce your interest if you withdraw too much or too often.</p> <p>Term deposits offer fixed interest for the length of your term. So once you’ve opened a term deposit, if rates go down, your money isn’t affected because the rates are locked in. Usually the longer the term you choose, the higher the interest rate on offer (although it’s not always the case).  It’s worth keeping an eye out for special interest rate offers, too.</p> <p><strong>Starting amounts</strong> –Term deposits generally have a minimum amount that you need to start with – often it’s at least $1,000. You can start a savings account from zero.</p> <p><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p> <p><strong>Flexibility</strong> –Savings accounts let you add more money whenever you like. Term deposits generally don’t.</p> <p><strong>Which suits</strong> –You need to ask yourself what your savings objectives are. Accessible cash for immediate requirements through a savings account is attractive but for longer-term objectives such as that trip or new car you’ve been eyeing off, the term deposit attracting higher interest and forcing you to refrain from dipping into your account will have you winning in the long run.</p> <p>If you open a term deposit, it’s good to maintain a savings account as well. That way you can keep adding to your savings and when you reach a certain amount, you’ve got the option of possibly starting another term deposit.</p> <p>If you’ve got enough for a term deposit now, shop around for the best deal. There are savings account and term deposit comparison websites which can help make this easier, but it’s also worth checking out different banks and other providers too.</p>

Money & Banking

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Paris Hilton calls on Biden to take account for troubled teen industry

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Paris Hilton has shared her own shocking experiences while calling on US President Joe Biden and Congress to do something about the “troubled teen industry”.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The former reality TV star previously revealed she had faced mental and physical abuse as a teenager in youth facilities.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Appearing outside Capitol Hill, </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://celebrity.nine.com.au/latest/paris-hilton-strangled-slapped-watched-in-the-shower-troubled-teen-industry-reform/c0ee9436-162e-48e1-988b-503af5584097" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Hilton said</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">: “For 20 years I couldn’t sleep at night as memories of physical violence, the feeling of loneliness, the loss of peers rushed through my mind when I shut my eyes.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“This was not just insomnia. It was trauma.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Hilton appeared on October 20 alongside other teen survivors to announce the Accountability for Congregate Care Act. They were joined by lawmakers representative Ro Khanna and Senator Jeff Merkley, who are co-sponsors of the legislation.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The 40-year-old star called on Biden to support the legislation, which would establish a bill of rights for children in youth facilities and act as oversight for the “troubled teens industry”.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Ensuring children are safe from institutional abuse isn’t a Republican or Democratic issue,” she said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“It’s a basic human rights issue that requires immediate attention.”</span></p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CVQrDczvaPA/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CVQrDczvaPA/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Paris Hilton (@parishilton)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In her speech, Hilton also shared her experiences and the trauma she endured as a teenager.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“One night when I was 16 years old,  I woke up to two large men in my bedroom asking if I wanted to go the easy way or the hard way,” she said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Thinking I was being kidnapped, I screamed for my parents. As I was being physically dragged out of my house, I saw them crying in the hallway. They didn’t come to my rescue that night.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“This was my introduction to the troubled teen industry.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“My parents were promised that tough love would fix me and that sending me across the country was the only way.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Hilton went on to share details about her treatment at the facility she was taken to.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I was strangled, slapped across the face, watched in the shower by male staff, called vulgar names, forced to take medication without a diagnosis, not given a proper education, thrown into solitary confinement in a room covered in scratch marks and smeared in blood,” she said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I was forced to stay indoors for 11 months straight - no sunlight, no fresh air.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7845046/paris-hilton2.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/b08c4c74198f46a29f4b7cbdf2203326" /></span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: Getty Images</span></em></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I wish I could tell you what I experienced or witnessed was unique or even rare, but sadly,it’s not,” she continued.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Every day in America, children in congregate care settings are being physically, emotionally and sexually abused.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In the past, Hilton has also called on Biden to support another bill which would require youth residential treatment centres to be under additional government oversight and document when they use restraints.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Testifying at a February state Senate committee hearing in favour of the bill, Hilton told the committee that talking about such a personal subject “was and is still terrifying”.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“But I cannot go to sleep at night knowing that there are children that are experiencing the same abuse that I and so many others went through, and neither should you.”</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: Getty Images</span></em></p>

Relationships

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IT WASN’T DOLLY! Fake TikTok account breaks 680,000 hearts

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">An account on the video-sharing platform TikTok appearing to belong to country music star Dolly Parton has sent the internet into a tailspin after it was banned hours after it first appeared.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">An account called @ItsDollyParton went live on Sunday, with a clip of the songstress sharing a positive message and a song with her fans.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">When the account <a rel="noopener" href="https://oversixty.co.nz/entertainment/music/dolly-parton-drops-first-tiktok-video-immediately-banned" target="_blank">vanished</a> hours later, fans took to Twitter to share their outrage with the platform.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A representative of TikTok told </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">OverSixty</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> that the account in question was banned for violating Community Guidelines involving impersonation.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The account has since <a rel="noopener" href="https://celebrity.nine.com.au/latest/dolly-parton-banned-from-tiktok-hours-after-posting-first-video/2571e924-187e-42ff-9bd2-07f9e6c0f2c2" target="_blank">been identified</a> as a fake.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The video posted on the account was re-posted from Parton’s charity @imagination library, which she had filmed in May of 2020.</span></p> <p><img style="width: 0px; height: 0px;" src="/nothing.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/a161e1c019cc4ac088ed802f046c09cf" /><img style="width: 378.66666666666663px; height: 500px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7844484/image-4.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/a161e1c019cc4ac088ed802f046c09cf" /></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">The fake account re-posted an older clip of Parton from her charity’s account. Image: @itsdollyparton / TikTok</span></em></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Why hello, I guess I’m on TikTok!” Parton says in the clip.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I just dropped in to say that it will be okay.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">She then sings a short song to her fans with the lyrics, “If I can do it so can you… I believe in you.”</span></p> <p><img style="width: 359.34664246823957px; height: 500px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7844483/https___prodstatic9net-25.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/1559248ab12b449ea709a0f20542bd45" /></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">The account was banned due to “multiple Community Guidelines violations”. Image: TikTok</span></em></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Before the impersonator’s account was terminated, it had gained more than 680,000 followers and received three million likes on the video.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The video is still available on the Imagination Library’s TikTok account, where it has received over 385,000 likes and been shared more than 13,000 times.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">With the outpouring of adoration from fans on the impersonator’s account, some may be hoping that the real Dolly Parton will make her debut on TikTok soon.</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: @dollyparton / Instagram</span></em></p>

Music

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Harry and Meghan unsurprised by royal family’s “lack of accountability”

<p>The authors of the unofficial biography of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have released a new epilogue detailing the royal couple’s swift exit from The Firm.</p> <p>The book, <em>Finding Freedom</em>, raised eyebrows when it was initially released a year ago, in August of 2020.</p> <p>However, the co-authors, Omid Scoobie and Carolyn Durand have once again sparked a flurry of speculation after <em>PEOPLE</em> published a new chapter which claims the couple criticised the Queen’s response to accusations of racism against Buckingham Palace.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CShgZuFsuii/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CShgZuFsuii/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Queen Elizabeth II UK 🇬🇧 (@queenelizabethiiuk)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>It has further fuelled the rift rumours, with the writers alleging Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were unimpressed by the Queen’s response to racism from Buckingham Palace, following the pair’s interview with Oprah Winfrey.</p> <p>The Palace issued a rare statement following the interview, noting "some 'recollections may vary" — a sentence which reportedly did not go "unnoticed" by the couple.</p> <p>A royal insider close to the Sussexes told the publication they were "not surprised" about the royal family's lack of accountability.</p> <p>"Months later and little accountability has been taken... how can you move forward with that?" the source said.</p> <p>During the in-depth interview with Winfrey, Harry and Meghan suggested the child's race was a place of concern for the family.</p> <p>Ahead of their son’s birth in 2019, the pair claimed there were “concerns and conversations” within the family regarding the colour of Archie’s skin tone.</p> <p>Meghan told Oprah there were "concerns and conversations about how dark his skin might be when he was born.”</p> <p>"That was relayed to me from Harry. Those were conversations that family had with him," she added.</p> <p>The duke confirmed the discussion, saying: “that conversation, I am never going to share. At the time, it was awkward, I was a bit shocked.”</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CQ_f5xUlfEb/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CQ_f5xUlfEb/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Kate + Meghan (@hrhkateandmeghan)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Buckingham Palace released a statement on behalf of the Queen, at the time of the interview.</p> <p>"The whole family is saddened to learn the full extent of how challenging the last few years have been for Harry and Meghan. The issues raised, particularly that of race, are concerning," the statement read.</p> <p>"Whilst some recollections may vary, they are taken very seriously and will be addressed by the family privately."</p> <p>Following the interview, Prince William insisted the royals are "very much not a racist family".</p>

Family & Pets

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"Oh my God": Woman discovers $1 billion in her bank account

<p>American woman Julia Yonkowski got the surprise of her life when she went to withdraw $20 from her bank account and saw $1 billion instead.</p> <p>According to the bank receipt she received from Chase Bank, she had $999,985,855.94 in her account.</p> <p>“Oh my God, I was horrified. I know most people would think they won the lottery but I was horrified,” she explained.</p> <p>“When I put in for the $20, the machine came back and said we’ll give you the $20 but that’ll cause an overdraft and you will be charged and I said, ‘Oh just forget it,’”.</p> <p>She hasn't touched her account since Saturday night.</p> <p>“I know I’ve read stories about people that took the money or took out money, and then they had to repay it and I wouldn’t do that anyway because it’s not my money,” she said.</p> <p>“It kind of scares me because you know with cyber threats. You know I don’t know what to think.”</p> <p>She's tried reaching out to Chase Bank several times but gets "tied up" with their automated system.</p> <p>“I just can’t get through. I get tied up with their automated system and I can’t get a person,” she said.</p> <p>However, a representative for Chase Bank confirmed that the high amount of money was a fraud prevention method.</p> <p>It also explains why Yonkowski wasn't able to get the original $20 she tried to withdraw from her account.</p> <p>According to the bank, Yonkowski's late husband was also named on the joint account and the bank requires proper documentation to release the account to a sole individual.</p>

Money & Banking

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New royal book reveals Prince Harry’s private social media accounts

<p><span>More details have come to light regarding the beginning of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s whirlwind romance along with the royal’s private Instagram handle,</span><br /><br /><span>From the latest extract of Finding Freedom - a new book about the couple's exit from the royal family, a Daily Mail insider told the tabloid that the biography is sure to have "torpedoed" any chance at re-entry into the royal family after the one-year review period of "Megxit" is over.</span><br /><br /><span>The latest Finding Freedom extract published in The Times on Monday reveals how the couple had their first date in a private room at Dean St Townhouse in Soho, London.</span><br /><br /><span>The pair had one trusted waiter to attend to them and reportedly used a secret entrance to enter and exit the building in order to keep their relationship private.</span><br /><br /><span>The source went on to mention that not too long after the couple’s date, she "began to follow a mysterious-looking Instagram account by the name of @SpikeyMau5.”</span><br /><br /><span>"With no face visible in the profile photo, just a mouse-shaped helmet, it would have meant nothing to most people. But it was in fact Harry's private account,” the authors of the book wrote.</span><br /><br /><span>"A big house music fan, he crafted the pseudonym by using part of the name of one of his favourite DJs, Deadmau5.</span><br /><br /><span>"Spikey came from a Facebook alias that Harry used for an account he had under the name of Spike Wells.</span><br /><br /><span>"’Spike’ was a nickname sometimes used for the prince, particularly by Scotland Yard officers. Harry's Facebook account (before he shut it down) had a profile photo of three guys in Panama hats taken from the back in an MGM Grand Las Vegas hotel suite.</span><br /><br /><span>"The account said he was from Maun, Botswana. Prior to that photo, Harry used the image of King Julien, the eccentric lemur from the Dreamworks movie Madagascar."</span><br /><br /><span>The book extract also claims that the couple moved on to a serious relationship very quickly and the Prince would regularly visit her in Canada.</span><br /><br /><span>He reportedly would be seen flying commercially with just one security guard.</span><br /><br /><span>"It didn't take long for Harry's visits to become an open secret among the residents. As one of Meghan's neighbours said, ‘When a black SUV was parked with guys inside wearing headsets and eating burritos, we'd say, 'Hey, Harry's in town!,” the extract read.</span><br /><br /><span>"But the news never went further than the community Facebook page, typically devoted to discussions about shovelling snow and dog poop."</span><br /><br /><span>Book authors, journalists Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand reportedly had access to more than 100 people for the book.</span><br /><br /><span>The couple issued a statement saying they have not collaborated or given an interview for the book.</span></p>

Relationships

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“We’ll hold those responsible accountable”: US claims virus came from Wuhan lab

<p>The US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has claimed there was “enormous evidence” the new coronavirus originated in a Chinese laboratory, but did not provide any of the alleged evidence.</p> <p>Pompeo, a former director of the Central Intelligence Agency, said on Sunday there was “enormous” and “significant” evidence that the coronavirus outbreak began in a laboratory in Wuhan, China.</p> <p>“I think the whole world can see now, remember, China has a history of infecting the world and running substandard laboratories,” Pompeo told ABC’s <em>This Week</em>.</p> <p>“President Trump is very clear: we’ll hold those responsible accountable.”</p> <p>At first, Pompeo said he believed “the best experts so far seem to think it was man-made”.</p> <p>But he later said he agreed with the “wide scientific consensus” from the US intelligence community that “the COVID-19 virus was not man-made or genetically modified”.</p> <p>Pompeo’s statement indicated an escalation in rhetoric amid the country’s tensions with China.</p> <p>US President Donald Trump made a similar unsupported claim on Thursday, saying that <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/apr/30/donald-trump-coronavirus-chinese-lab-claim">he had proof the pandemic started in a Chinese laboratory</a>.</p> <p>On the same day, Pompeo said in an interview: “We don’t know if it came from the Wuhan Institute of Virology. We don’t know if it emanated from the wet market or yet some other place. We don’t know those answers.”</p> <p>Most epidemiologists believe the virus was likely introduced from bats to humans through an intermediary animal.</p> <p>The US had confirmed more than 1.15 million coronavirus cases and 67,000 deaths as of Monday, according to Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Centre.</p> <p>Trump has faced widespread criticism for having overseen a “<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/14/us/politics/coronavirus-trump-who-funding.html">slow and ineffective</a>“ response to the pandemic as states and cities continue to appeal for more federal help in <a href="https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2020/5/3/21245815/larry-kudlow-cnn-jake-tapper-state-of-the-union-coronavirus-stimulus">increasing testing capacity and propping up the economy</a>.</p>

News

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Royal sign off: Harry and Meghan's last message EVER to social media accounts

<p>Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have posted their last message to royal fans on their social media accounts before they officially leave The Firm to pursue new heights in the career without their HRH titles.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B9b43tdnzgC/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B9b43tdnzgC/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Meghan Markle 🔵 (@meghanmarkle_official)</a> on Mar 7, 2020 at 6:27am PST</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>The couple shocked the world, including their grandmother The Queen and the royal family, when they hastily announced their intention to depart from their role as senior royals and instead seek an “independent” income.</p> <p>A deal was then brokered by Her 93-year-old Majesty and Prince Harry where they both decided the pair would go their own way beginning from April.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B9C0fs0HsZI/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B9C0fs0HsZI/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Meghan Markle 🔵 (@meghanmarkle_official)</a> on Feb 26, 2020 at 12:48pm PST</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>“While you may not see us here, the work continues,” the couple wrote in their last ever message to their Sussex Royal Instagram page.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B-XTsETJsU0/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B-XTsETJsU0/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by The Duke and Duchess of Sussex (@sussexroyal)</a> on Mar 30, 2020 at 9:17am PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>“Thank you to this community, for the support, the inspiration and the shared commitment to the good in the world. We look forward to reconnecting with you soon. You've been great.</p> <p>“Until then, please take good care of yourselves, and of one another.”</p>

Retirement Life

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“Someone needs to be held accountable”: Ovation of the Seas cruise passengers slam company for White Island disaster handling

<p>Passengers from the cruise ship at the centre of the White Island volcano eruption have disembarked at Sydney Harbour, with some criticising the way the company handled the incident.</p> <p>The Royal Caribbean International cruise ship Ovation of the Seas arrived in Sydney on Monday morning, a week after the disaster at the New Zealand island.</p> <p>Most of the people killed or injured in the eruption were part of organised day trips from the ship.</p> <p>Passenger Max Sum told the <em><a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-12-16/new-zealand-white-island-volcano-ovation-of-seas-docks-sydney/11802014">ABC</a> </em>said “the whole boat” stopped when the news of the eruption was announced.</p> <p>Sum’s 11-year-old Russell said upon hearing the news, “I thought it was fake news. I was like that can’t be true.”</p> <p>Kim Lee Eng, who was travelling with his wife and mother, said he was “very disappointed” with “a lot of communication from management” after the incident.</p> <p>“This is a big company, 50 years old, so they should have had a contingency teams to deal with this,” Kim told <em><a href="https://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-updates/incidents/ovation-of-the-seas-arrives-back-in-sydney-after-white-island-volcano-disaster/live-coverage/c4670803c3686244f8d0605b998b2c00">news.com.au</a></em>. “They were holding us on board – taking advantage of us.”</p> <p>Karen Kociszewski said the company needs to be held responsible. “Someone needs to be held accountable, definitely the cruise company, because it’s sad people aren’t going home,” she said.</p> <p>“You sign a waiver to say that, you know, you go there and if you break your ankle you’re not going to sue them, but you don't go there thinking this is going to happen.”</p> <p>Jo-Anne Henderson said the atmosphere on board was “very somber” for the past week.</p> <p>“It was terrible, we were all so sorry that we were enjoying ourselves while people were getting blown away,” she said.</p> <p>“It was very somber on board. A lot of crying. A lot of people crying for many, many days, even up to yesterday there were still tears. It was so painful, it broke my heart.”</p> <p>Henderson commended the ship crew for keeping the passengers up to date. “Our captain was wonderful. He kept popping up and making announcements to let us know. Royal Caribbean did a brilliant job,” she said.</p> <p>US tourist Jennifer Highfield said while the employees on board were helpful, more facilities could have been made available.</p> <p>“The ship constantly gave us information and counselling. But it would have been helpful to have free Wi-Fi to keep in touch with family and friends who were concerned. I had a package covering internet, but I know there was a lot of people on board who did not,” Highfield told the <em><a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-12-16/new-zealand-white-island-volcano-ovation-of-seas-docks-sydney/11802014">ABC</a></em>.</p> <p>“The captain was wonderful, we could tell it was heartbreaking for him personally. Even coming in today I felt a bit emotional.”</p>

News

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Why you should keep your everyday bank account to the bare minimum

<p><span>When you sign up with a bank, you are likely to receive two accounts – one for everyday transactions and one for savings. </span></p> <p><span>A transaction account usually comes with a card so that you can withdraw cash at the ATM and pay day-to-day expenses. On the other hand, a savings account does not usually have a linked card – but it offers higher interest rates compared to the transaction account, allowing you to grow your balance. </span></p> <p><span>Many people put a large sum of their money on their transaction accounts for practical purposes – who knows when you need to make a major purchase? – but experts say this move may not be so wise in the bigger picture.</span></p> <p><span>“I … realised that money sitting in a debit account just, well, sits there,” Laura Munoz of <a href="https://thefinancialdiet.com/5-life-changing-financial-habits-i-took-way-too-long-to-adopt/"><em>The Financial Diet</em></a> wrote. “It doesn’t earn interest and it’s not working for you, so there’s no real reason to keep more than a healthy buffer there in case you need to take out cash in a pinch.”</span></p> <p><span>While it is important to maintain a healthy balance to pay bills and everyday needs in your transaction account, Munoz said savings should be prioritised before spending. By working out how much you roughly spend every month, you can plan ahead and keep only the bare minimum amount in the transaction account to cover everyday expenses while transferring the rest to the savings account immediately.</span></p> <p><span>As <a href="https://www.moneysmart.gov.au/managing-your-money/banking/transaction-accounts"><em>MoneySmart</em></a> advises, “Only keep the money you need to cover your everyday costs in your transaction account. Put the rest of your money in a savings account and watch your savings grow with the extra interest.”</span></p> <p><span>This can also help you curb your shopping habits, as the limited amount will make you more aware of the dollars you fork out.</span></p> <p><span>Munoz said she is now putting most of her cash in two places –a high-yield, risk-free savings account and another savings account that is invested in the stock market. This does not have to be the case for you if you are more risk-averse – find a savings account where your earnings can comfortably grow, and make money work for you.</span></p>

Retirement Income

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Your bank account has been hacked — what do you do next?

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Bank account hacking is becoming more commonplace and dangerous due to the sophistication of cyber criminals.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Cyber security specialist John Catibog spoke to </span><a href="https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/moneysaverhq/your-bank-account-just-got-hacked-what-do-you-do-now/news-story/93663f294c3718bc9c118126f8b02d56"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Daily Telegraph</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> about the reason hackers are more prevalent. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As the founder of cyber insurance firm Indagard, Catibog explained that almost 250 Australian businesses report data breaches every quarter.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“But I’d estimate more consumer incidents go unreported,” he said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If your bank account has been breached by an intruder and has been drained, it’s important to notify the bank immediately.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Catibog also suggests enabling the extra layer of protection that banks offer to keep your money safe, which is known as two-factor authentication.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Changing your passwords for emails and other accounts in case they’ve been compromised as well is a good idea.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Your new passwords should be long and difficult, but memorable with a mix of letters, numbers and symbols.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“For example, a password like ‘March 11 is a public holiday’ is nearly un-hackable, and ‘Password123’ will take just nine days,” Catibog said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Review all your financial statements and watch for unauthorised transactions.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Remain calm, because resolving the matter will take time.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Norton cyber security territory manager Mark Gorrie says that if a bank account breach impacts your credit card, you should request a new card and new number.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Change the passwords of your other accounts,” he said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“If you have the same or similar password on other platforms and accounts, change each one immediately.”</span></p> <p><strong>Hacker aftermath checklist</strong></p> <ul> <li><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Notify your bank immediately</span></li> <li><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Block further transactions</span></li> <li><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Run a malware scan</span></li> <li><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Freshen up your passwords</span></li> <li><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Review all financial statements</span></li> <li><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Enable two-factor authentication</span></li> </ul>

Money & Banking

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Why your Gmail account just got a whole lot better

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Gmail, Google’s email service, has turned 15 and in order to celebrate, Google has added a new feature that’ll help out its users.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The new feature allows users to schedule emails to send at a particular time within Gmail.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Google explained how to use the feature and why it’s been introduced in a </span><a href="https://cloud.google.com/blog/products/g-suite/15-years-and-counting-making-gmail-work-faster-and-smarter-for-businesses"><span style="font-weight: 400;">blog post</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">: </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“We understand that work can often carry over to non-business hours, but it’s important to be considerate of everyone’s downtime.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“We want to make it easier to respect everyone’s digital well-being, so we’re adding a new feature to Gmail that allows you to choose when an email should be sent.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Just write your email as you normally would, then schedule it to arrive in your recipient’s inbox at a later date and time.”</span><a href="https://storage.googleapis.com/gweb-cloudblog-publish/original_images/SCHEDULE_SEND_DESKTOP.gif"><span style="font-weight: 400;"></span></a></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The feature is easy to use and just one of many that were implemented on Gmail’s birthday.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Other features include:</span></p> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Smart Compose” which is designed to help users on the go. The feature can adapt to the way you write, as the feature will stay true to your email voice.</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Dynamic emails, which allows users to respond to a comment thread in Google Docs or schedule a meeting within the email message itself.</span></li> </ul> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">What feature will you be using? Let us know in the comments.</span></p>

Technology

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The "naughty" birthday card Princess Diana sent to her accountant

<p>An inside look into Princess Diana’s sense of humour has been revealed after a birthday card she sent to her accountant has been put up for auction.</p> <p>Assumed to be from the '90s, the cheeky card, which includes a handwritten note from the late royal is featured on LA-based celebrity auction site Julien’s Auctions after its owner, who wishes to remain anonymous, decided to part ways with the valuable item.</p> <p>The seller believes that the card was sent by Diana – who passed away in 1997 after a tragic car crash in Paris – to her accountant and close friend Anthony Burrage.</p> <p><img style="width: 0px; height: 0px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7821813/4_thp_chp_031118slug_1786jpg.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/f84db9a247cb42f39817134c4293706c" /></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><em>Photo: Julien's Auctions</em></p> <p>The card shows an illustrated Sleeping Beauty and includes a witty anecdote that says: “A little prick in the hand sent Sleeping Beauty to sleep”.</p> <p><img style="width: 0px; height: 0px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7821812/2_thp_chp_031118slug_1787jpg.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/fcf845e11fcd4c0080af0a8dd29cbcdd" /></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><em>Photo: Julien's Auctions</em></p> <p>And while it may seem innocuous, as on first glance it seems to be referring to the classic fairytale where Sleeping Beauty pricks her finger on a spinning wheel, the cheeky humour is revealed once the card is opened. Inside the card the punchline reads: “Only the big ones are worth staying awake for!”</p> <p>The message written by the Princess says: “A belated Happy Birthday for the 5th! From Diana.”</p> <p>Bidding for the card is currently standing at $250 but the price is expected to increase each day and go up to $800-$1200.</p> <p>The bidding site has described the card as: “A humorous birthday card with ‘Sleeping Beauty’ on the cover, handwritten in black felt pen by HRH Princess Diana: ‘Tony, A belated Happy Birthday for the 5th, from, Diana.’ Tony refers to Anthony Burrage, accountant and trusted employee of HRH Princess Diana.”</p> <p>The owner of the prized possession recently spoke to <em><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/princess-diana-sent-friend-cheeky-13527095" target="_blank">The Mirror</a> </em>and said: “I know that Diana liked to send humorous cards, but I haven’t seen any quite this naughty, so for me it really shows that she was a fun human being that could share some dirty jokes with her closest friends."</p> <p>They added, “This is a secret card that has been kept hidden for many years. A true gem for anyone that is a fan of this special human being.”</p>

Books

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How to check if your Facebook account has been hacked

<p>Between September 14-27, 30 million Facebook accounts were hacked, and now the social media juggernaut has unveiled a <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.facebook.com/help/securitynotice?ref=sec" target="_blank">website</a> that will help you determine if your account has been compromised.</p> <p>“We're very sorry this happened,” it said of the incident. “Your privacy is incredibly important to us, and we want to update you on what we've learned from our ongoing investigation, including which Facebook accounts are impacted, what information was accessed and what Facebook users can do about this.”</p> <p>Facebook has made a move to assure its users, which according to <em><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.statista.com/statistics/264810/number-of-monthly-active-facebook-users-worldwide/" target="_blank">Statista</a></em> amount to over 2.2 billion monthly active users worldwide, <span>that sensitive information like passwords and financial information were not accessed by hackers.</span></p> <p>“There's no need for anyone to change their passwords,” said the company.</p> <p>But other information was hacked, reported <em><a rel="noopener" href="https://au.news.yahoo.com/can-check-facebook-account-hacked-042356675.html" target="_blank">7News</a></em>, such as phone numbers and email addresses, and in the case of 14 million accounts, the type of information that you can see on your friends’ accounts such as location, birthdate and relationship status.</p> <p>You can find out simply if your Facebook account has been hacked. On the Facebook advice website, scroll about halfway down to the question, “Is my Facebook account impacted by this security issue?” and you’ll have a notification there, specific to your account, if you have been affected.</p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 123.021px; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7821357/facebook-notice.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/94961eb42d334a35a773be434fdab00b" /></p> <p>You’ll also be provided with account-specific information if you are logged in to Facebook.</p> <p>One expert argues that in light of the hacks, Facebook should be offering users free “credit monitoring” in case sensitive financial information may be accessed.</p> <p>“Those personal details could very easily be used for identity theft to sign up for credit cards, get a loan, get your banking password, et cetera,” said Patrick Moorhead, founder of Moor Insights &amp; Strategy.</p> <p>“Facebook should provide all those customers free credit monitoring to make sure the damage is minimised.”</p> <p>Facebook has declined to say where the effected users are located, only saying the breaches were “fairly broad”. The company says it will contact those account holders who have been hacked.</p> <p>According Facebook, the hacks are currently being investigated by the FBI, but the Bureau requested it didn’t discuss the culprits behind it.</p> <p>You can find more information at the <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.facebook.com/help/securitynotice?ref=sec" target="_blank">Facebook advice site</a>.</p> <p>Did you find the Facebook advice helpful? Let us know in the comments below.</p> <p> </p>

Technology

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Warning: WhatsApp voicemail scam gives hackers access to your account

<p>A worrying new WhatsApp hack allows cyber criminals to access victim’s accounts via their voicemail inbox.</p> <p>According to <a href="https://nakedsecurity.sophos.com/2018/10/08/attackers-use-voicemail-hack-to-steal-whatsapp-accounts/"><strong><em style="font-weight: inherit;"><u>Naked Security</u></em></strong></a>, a blog run by British security company Sophos, scammers are attempting the attacks at night so they can take advantage of the app’s six-digit verification code.</p> <p>The attacks have become so prevalent that Israel’s National Cyber Security Authority issued a nationwide warning.</p> <p>Hackers start the scam by installing WhatsApp on their own phone using a legitimate user’s phone number.</p> <p>To verify the login attempt, WhatsApp sends a six-digit verification code via text message to the victim’s telephone.</p> <p>However, hackers are carrying out this scam at night, so victims are most likely sleeping rather than checking their phones.</p> <p>WhatsApp then allows the hacker to send the six-digit verification code via phone call with an automated message.</p> <p>As the victim is not on their phone, the message ideally goes to voicemail.</p> <p>The cyber criminal then exploits a security flaw in many telecommunication networks which allows customers to use a generic phone number to call and retrieve their voicemails.</p> <p>For many mobile phone owners, only a four-digit pin is required to access their voicemails – which if they haven’t changed is commonly 0000 or 1234 by default.</p> <p>Hackers will then enter the password and gain access to the victim’s voicemail inbox, allowing them to retrieve the WhatsApp message containing the six-digit code.</p> <p>Once the scammer enters the code into their own phone, they have complete access to the victim’s WhatsApp account.</p> <p>To avoid being hacked, it is recommended that users turn on two-factor authentication on their account, adding an extra layer of security.</p> <p>“Using application-based 2FA ... mitigates a lot of the risk, because these mobile authentication apps don’t rely on communications tied to phone numbers,” Sophos researchers explained. </p> <p>This can be done by navigating to Settings in WhatsApp, then tapping ‘Account’.</p> <p>Users must then press on ‘Two-step verification’ and tap ‘Enable’.</p> <p>Experts also encourage users to have a strong PIN on their voicemail inbox.</p> <p>Have you encountered this WhatsApp scam? Let us know in the comments below. </p>

Technology

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Man accidentally publishes personal post on work Facebook account

<p>A man has accidentally put a personal post on his work social media account and in doing so inadvertently became the world’s latest internet sensation.</p> <p>NPR, a public broadcaster in the US, quickly spotted the mistake which you can see below, but not before it had spread to the organisation’s six million followers.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">Npr just oopsie posted the cutest thing ever.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Ramona?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Ramona</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NPR?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NPR</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BestMistakePostEver?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BestMistakePostEver</a> <a href="https://t.co/PpgyPeUY82">pic.twitter.com/PpgyPeUY82</a></p> — Lally (@Lallypage) <a href="https://twitter.com/Lallypage/status/915037385477492736?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 3, 2017</a></blockquote> <p>The post read: “Ramona is given a new toy: Smiles, examines for 20 seconds, discards. Ramona gets a hug: Acquiesces momentarily, squirms to be put down.</p> <p>“Ramona sees three cats 30 feet away: Immediately possessed by shrieking, spasmodic joy that continues after cats flee for their lives”</p> <p>NPR quickly deleted the contextually confusing update and apologised for the mistake, but fans of the media organisation weren’t mad at all. In fact, they loved it.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">You are so adorable <a href="https://twitter.com/NPR?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NPR</a>. This seriously gave me the best lol today, which I needed. Please don’t fire Ramona’s human. <a href="https://t.co/8G2xPNoJrw">pic.twitter.com/8G2xPNoJrw</a></p> — Rocktober dreamer (@hurryhurryomaha) <a href="https://twitter.com/hurryhurryomaha/status/915038722768302080?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 3, 2017</a></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">This is so <a href="https://twitter.com/NPR?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NPR</a>. I identify so strongly with Ramona.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ramonaupdates?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ramonaupdates</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/thisisnpr?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#thisisnpr</a> <a href="https://t.co/caMTXVulw9">pic.twitter.com/caMTXVulw9</a></p> — Katelyn, but Spooky (@timeladykatie) <a href="https://twitter.com/timeladykatie/status/915192835384778754?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 3, 2017</a></blockquote> <p>Followers eventually became obsessed with the identity of Romana, until it was revealed that she is the one-year-old daughter of NPR swing editor Christopher Dean Hopkins.</p> <p>“We don’t generally delete posts, so I tried to do it in a way that would be transparent,” he explained.</p> <p>“My job is to promote our good work, and I catastrophically failed in that last night.”</p> <p>What are your thoughts?</p> <p> </p>

Technology

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Woman shares sad account of flying when you are overweight

<p>A woman has given an account of the struggles she faces when she is flying due to her weight, urging others to be compassionate.</p> <p>The writer, who goes under the name Your Fat Friend on Twitter, tweeted a thread about the preparations she must make before she flies and the vicious comments she receives from fellow passengers.</p> <p>“So, I'm on a plane today. Here's what I did to prepare to fly as a very fat person,” she tweeted on Monday. </p> <p>“I researched airlines for their ‘customer size’ policies, many of which reserve the right to kick me off the plane, even after boarding.”</p> <p>“The rest require purchase of that second seat regardless of whether one is available. If I don't buy one in advance, I'll be charged the day-of price. Today, that's $800 one way," she continued. </p> <p>“'I'm charged for that second seat regardless of whether one is available. I pay double for the privilege of staying on the plane.”</p> <p>“Even if I buy a second seat in advance, the airline may still sell it to another passenger. If they do, I won’t be notified or refunded.”</p> <p>The woman brought her own seat belt extender with her on the flight, however, sometimes they can be confiscated by the TSA in the US.</p> <p>“I'm not worried about the embarrassment of asking for a seat belt extender. I know I'm fat," she said.</p> <p>"I'm worried that hearing me ask for an extender will prompt others to complain. If they do, it starts a domino effect of trouble for me.”</p> <p>The woman explained that if passengers complain about her, there is a chance that she could get re-seated, charged double or even escorted off the plane.</p> <p>If she were to get kicked off the flight, she said there are still some airline policies that don’t include a refund or re-booking.</p> <p>The woman revealed that in the past two years, 50 per cent of passengers in her row made a complaint about her size.</p> <p>“No matter what happens, if someone complains, my body will be discussed loudly, with open revulsion, without regard for who hears it,” she said. </p> <p>“As a very fat person on a plane, I am treated like luggage – a cumbersome, exasperating inconvenience. Inanimate and unfeeling.”</p> <p>On one particular flight, the woman purchased a first-class ticket for $900 because the seats are wider and the amount was cheaper than buying two economy seats.</p> <p>The woman could not fit the tray around her body so she was unable to do any work or eat the meal she had paid for. </p> <p>And six years ago, she left in embarrassment after a man complained about her until he was moved.</p> <p>“He got up several times to talk to a flight attendant, pointing angrily back at me. My stomach sunk as I realised what was happening,” she said. The agitated man claimed it was for comfort, highlighting that it would be better for both of them if he moved. However, the flight attendant explained that someone else would be sitting in that spot before he was moved to the seat in front.</p> <p>“I spent the rest of the flight with my arms and legs crossed, humiliated and alone. No one spoke to me or made eye contact,” she recalled.</p> <p>“The flight attendant didn’t speak to me, but gave free food and drinks to the others in my row – rewards for tolerating my presence.”</p> <p>After that flight, the woman was scarred and wouldn’t go anywhere on a plane.</p> <p>She later decided to return to flying as she loves her family, values her job and refused to let other’s perceptions dictate her life.</p> <p>The woman’s penned her dreams about what could be done to spare her from humiliation, which resonated with many others online.</p> <p>She explains that fat people are portrayed as being too loud and taking up too much space, which cripples her life more than others realise.</p> <p>“In that way, air travel is sadly familiar, a microcosm of what happens so often as a fat person," she wrote. </p> <p>“I am watched – and judged harshly – as I try and fail to fit into a space that was made for someone else. I am always too big, always too much, always unacceptable.”</p>

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