Facebook blocks news content in Australia
February 20, 2021
The BBC Facebook page, as seen in Australia. (Alyce Collett/YJI)
Melbourne, Australia – Facebook took a huge step this week in its battle with the Australian government, blocking access to content from news outlets for anyone in Australia.
Facebook and Google have been battling with the Australian federal government over proposed legislation to make the technology giants pay for Australian news content on their platforms.
The legislation, colloquially known as the ‘Media Bargaining Code,’ would see companies like Facebook and Google have to negotiate with media companies about how much the tech companies must pay media companies for their news content, according to the ABC.
Mental health counselors: humans need to be together
December 31, 2020
A socially distant walk is the closest some friends have been able to get in the pandemic. (Alyce Collett/YJI)
Health and safety rules brought on by covid-19 mean people are unusually apart from others, forced to self-isolate for weeks or months at a time.
As time goes on, many yearn for human contact, finding it increasingly difficult and unnatural to be alone.
In a series of interviews with Youth Journalism International reporters, mental health professionals in different countries explained why humans have such a powerful need to be with other people.
Many youth kept or started exercise routines in the pandemic
December 31, 2020
A bicyclist rides along the Charles River in Boston. (Katrina Machetta/YJI)
The worldwide pandemic may have put certain activities on hold, but for some youth, daily exercise has continued.
Parnian Shahsavary/YJI
Exercise has always been part of a regular routine for some people, but others have taken the bonus time from quarantine to incorporate a workout into their lifestyle.
Binnet Roberts, 22, a student at the University of The Gambia, said she is making an extra effort to maintain her weight during the covid-19 pandemic.
Maryam Azimpour, an 18-year-old student athlete in Tehran, Iran, said exercise is crucial.
Chuying Huo/YJI
The quarantine phenomenon of “glowing up” – improving yourself – took parts of the internet by storm as the covid-19 pandemic raged.
Making the most of your time within the quarantine is important and reinventing yourself is a way to enjoy life, said Jonas Roi B. Amparo, 18, of Tagbilaran City in the Philippines.
In interviews with Youth Journalism International, some young people embraced the idea of enhancing their appearance through exercise, new hairstyles and makeup, while others called it unnecessary and even toxic.
Mental health professionals interviewed by YJI were also split on the issue, with some of them warning about possibly unhealthy habits developing from the glowing up trend while others said they thought it important for people to focus on themselves during difficult times.
Grafitti in Istanbul. (Bilge Nur Guven/YJI)
Spending their lives in repetitive confinement because of the coronavirus pandemic, young people the world over said they are struggling with loneliness, worry, sadness, anxiety, depression and other mental health issues.
In a wide-ranging series of interviews with Youth Journalism International reporters, 56 young people from 18 countries discussed the impact of the pandemic and quarantine.
“I have felt my mental health spiraling down the drain,” said Riddhi Goenka, 19, of Kolkata, India. The news gives her anxiety and there are problems at college and issues with her family, she said, adding that she tries to talk with friends but feels that no one understands the heaviness of her thoughts.