Kid News This Week: Australian gov’t bans teens from social media, giraffes going bye-bye, Notre Damel reopens, Moana smashes the box-office and hamsters run amok on Portugal plane
World news in this episode… Well, it’s official. The Australian government bans its teenagers from using social media – sparking relief in some, anger in others. We’ll have not one – but two – reports from teens down under. In nature news, conservationists are worried giraffes are going bye-bye – yes, we mean endangered. Hear the details in this week’s episode. Also, good news in Paris where the Notre Dame cathedral reopens five years after a major fire. In entertainment news – it’s a tidal wave of sales for Moana 2. And, finally, hamsters don’t run amok but FLY amok in a plane over Portugal. What on earth am I talking about? Well, you gotta listen to the end to find out!
EPISODE 189
LEELA: This week… Social media ban for Oz teens, giraffes going bye-bye, Notre Dame reopens, Moana smashes the box-office and hamsters run amok
OPENING STING – LEELA: “Hey, hey, hey. Listen up. New, new, newsy – News Pooloozi!”
THEME MUSIC
LEELA: Hello and welcome to Newsy Pooloozi – your one-stop-shop for the most interesting and important news happening around the world. I’m your host Leela Sivasankar Prickitt. And this is my sidekick, here…
MAMA: Hello, I’m Lyndee Prickitt.
LEELA: This week…
It's official. After talking and debating and parliament, Australia banned its teenagers from using social media. Sparking, relief in some anger and others. But will it work? And what are the kids' things, right? We have not won, but two reports from teens down under.
Big news for tall creatures. Yes, conservationists are worried giraffes are going bye-bye.
And good news in Paris where the Notre Dame Cathedral reopens, five years after a major fire.
And entertainment news, it's a tidal wave of sales for Moana too.
And finally, hamsters don't run a muck, but fly a muck over Portugal.
What's on earth am I talking about? Well, you gotta listen to the end for this one, folks.
Okay then, let's dive on in. First up, it's the...
MUSIC UP
BIG NEWS STORY STING – VARIOUS VOICES: “The Big news story of the week!”
MAMA: They say every generation has its scourge.
LEELA: Ah, what?
MAMA: You know, scourge, as in something that causes a LOT of trouble or suffering.
LEELA: Oh.
MAMA: Yes. So, for your grandparent’s generation it was
LEELA: The World Wars?
MAMA: No, that was the previous generations, though I guess there was the Vietnam War. But I was talking about the scourge of cigarettes.
LEELA: Ah. Right. Very bad for you and extremely addictive.
MAMA: Yep. And it was drugs for my generation.
LEELA: Also very, very bad for you and addictive.
MAMA: Correct. And still around, of course, but the scourge that is worrying most parents these days is…
LEELA: I know, I know – social media.
MAMA: Yep, Mostly bad for you and very addictive.
LEELA: Yes, we did a big special episode about it a few weeks ago.
MAMA: That’s right. Where we looked at the perils and tech and its crazy kid, social media, and the countries leading the charge against it, or protecting younger people from the hazards of it, I should say.
LEELA: Like Australia – which was debating an all-out ban on social media for teenagers.
MAMA: And…
LEELA: And it was debated in, well, in social media and traditional media a lot before it was debated in parliament.
MAMA: Where they were trying to decide whether or not to make it an official legal ban on social media for kids under 16.
LEELA: And they did.
MAMA: They did, yes indeed. It’s the first time a national government has done this infact. Although the new rules won't come into force for another year to allow social media companies time to comply as in figure out how to make it work.
LEELA: Hmmmm, I'm really curious about what people, I mean young people affected by this ban what they think of it?
MAMA: Well, you’ll be pleased to know we’re gonna find out. We’ve called on both our Australian correspondents for their take on this story.
LEELA: Alright then. First, let’s go to Caitlin Brooks from Newcastle, Australia for the low-down.
CAITLIN: Thanks, Leela! Here in Australia, the government has decided it is time to take a huge step in getting kids and young teenagers off social media. This ban covers anyone who is under the age of 16, even if they already have an account on a social media app, and even if they have permission from their parents.
But when will this ban start? Not for at least a year.
You might be wondering what apps this ban will cover. And the short answer is, we don’t really know yet. It will cover the obvious ones, like Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat, and X. But the government says that it may also cover gaming platforms, such as Roblox, and chat platforms, such as Reddit and Discord, as well as YouTube.
The government says that it will be up to the platforms to police this.
Just how they’ll be able to do that is the question. Personally, I think that the ban is good.
There are too many young people addicted to their phones, and this ban will mean that more kids can socialise in public more. But what do you think, Leela?
In Newcastle, Australia, this is Caitlin Brooks, reporting for Newsy Pooloozi!!
LEELA: Thanks so much, Caitlin.
MAMA: Yeah, I agree if people were off their phones they might be out in and about socializing face-to-face more, which would be a good thing, right?
LEELA: Well, that’s certainly what our other correspondent from the Central Coast in Australia, Saffron Barns, thinks too. Over to you, Saffron.
SAFFRON: I think that this ban is a positive thing because it will encourage kids to spend less time on social media and more time with friends or playing games.
Kids right now are really rude and aggressive I feel like when social media has been banned, if they follow the law, then they will nicen up a little bit.
I don't reckon that the kids at my school will actually decide to not use social media, they are on it way too much. My friends use Snapchat all the time and haven’t even spoken about the ban.
I don't have Snapchat and think that if they decide to get rid of it, it would be positive for people like me because my friends don’t use text messages as much because they don't think it's as cool.
LEELA: I understand! But you said you didn't think it would stop the kids at your school
from using social media.… so, I wonder if it will have an impact?
SAFFRON: Many people are in support of this ban, because of all the negative impacts that social media has on teenagers.
However, there are others who say that it is has not been thought out properly and that the government should wait until they have worked out how they're going to monitor the age of people using these social media platforms.
The whole world is watching to see happens in Australia because they would also like to ban social media for teenagers.
The way that Australia handles the implementation of this ban is likely to have an impact on the legislation that other countries put in place in the future with regards to teenagers and social media use.
From The Central Coast, Australia this is Saffron Barns for Newsy Pooloozi
LEELA: Thanks a lot, Saffron and Caitlin. I gotta admit the whole thing leaves me feeling, well, conflicted.
MAMA: That’s why people think the option to use it or not should just be taken away from kids, at least when they’re really young. Might make the whole thing easier for you.
LEELA: But shouldn’t’ that be the role of parents according to family’s opinions – not the state.
MAMA: Yeah, sure, totally in theory, I agree. But the other side say that sometimes, when things come along like cigarettes or drugs that overwhelm people, and they find it hard to resist, even though it's deemed dangerous, that's maybe when the state should step in.
LEELA: Fair enough. But can a few restrictions like asking someone how old they are? I mean, can't they just lie or go to other apps?
MAMA: True, and those might be more dangerous apps in the dark web, some speculate. So, a lot of the how this will be implemented questions are being asked and worked out, which is why it's not going to take effect for a year so that companies can figure all that out.
LEELA: Hmmmm. I guess, though, if parents are able to say it’s not them being mean but that it’s against the law, that might help.
MAMA: That’s the idea. And, as Saffron says, the world is watching how this is going to play out. But one thing is for sure, people are starting to wake up to the dangers of devices and social media addiction and that’s probably a good thing.
LEELA: “The scourge of social media!”
MAMA: Indeed. And now… it’s time to totally shift down-gear and low tech to talk about…
[SOURCE: https://dig.watch/updates/australia-begins-trial-of-teen-social-media-ban
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-11-08/how-the-age-minimum-for-social-media-will-work/104571790]
NATURE STING – VARIOUS VOICES: “The call of nature. Get on your safari suite. Or squeeze into your scuba gear. And get ready to hop into a jeep. Or submarine. Submarine. Because Mother Nature is calling! Nature.”
MAMA: Well, here's some startling news about the animal kingdom
LEELA: Go on, I’m bracing myself.
MAMA: The United States Fish and Wildlife Service
LEELA: That’s right. That’s the US government agency in charge of taking care of the environment.
MAMA: Correct! So, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, or USFWS, have recently decided to update their endangered species list with another animal.
LEELA: Now this “endangered species” list you speak of... that’s basically a list of all the animals in the world who are close to becoming extinct either around the world or in specific areas, right?
MAMA: Basically, yes. Being on the endangered species list means that the animal’s population in the wild is shrinking. And that we humans have to do a better job of protecting the ones who are left, so that, as you said, they don´t disappear.
LEELA: So, what’s the new animal they’re adding?
MAMA: Well, hold on – because we all love this animal…
LEELA: I would say play the drumroll, but that feels too happy for this kind of news.
MAMA: True. Added to the list are giraffes! Well, certain kinds of giraffes.
LEELA: Oh no! That's like one of the first animals you learn as a toddler! I guess because they’re so unusual looking. And cute on top of it.
MAMA: I know, right?
LEELA: But what’s happening? Why are they now endangered?
MAMA: A few things, actually, but mostly because they’re losing their habitats in the wild, in places like Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Uganda in Africa – with those populations dropping by more than 75 percent in the past three decades.
LEELA: Whoa…
MAMA: Leaving just under 6,000 giraffes.
LEELA: All because humans are taking away the giraffes’ habitats. Like taking over the land and natural area where they live?
MAMA: Exactly. Buuuuut. There’s something else, right? Humans are also hunting giraffes. Certain parts of their body can be sold for a lot of money.
LEELA: What? Um, what parts of the body?
MAMA: Like giraffe-skin purses or book covers or even their hooves and bones for carvings. So, conservationists are hoping by adding them to this list it will deter, or stop, this practice.
LEELA: How many animals are on that list, anyway?
MAMA: More than 1300 kinds of species including certain kinds of apes, certain kinds of tigers, and certain kinds of seals. And now...
LEELA: Certain kinds of giraffes.
MAMA: But there’s hope. Some animals have actually been removed from the list after conservation efforts. Like pandas, white rhinos and even grizzly bears from the US.
LEELA: Well, that’s something then.
MAMA: It sure is.
https://www.fws.gov/program/endangered-species/species
WORLD WRAP STING – LEELA: “What’s that? I’ll tell you what. That’s the halftime bell! Which means… it’s time to hear what’s making news around the rest of the world. Hold on tight, it’s around the world in 80 seconds.”
MAMA: South Korea is in shock after President Yoon unexpectedly imposed martial law to protect the country from "anti-state" forces that sympathised with its enemy North Korea, so he says. But the public wasn’t having it and quickly formed a mass protest. Less than six hours later, the president changed his mind.
The Eastern European country of Georgia is also rocked by protests following the country's decision
to delay its bid to the European Union. Tension in the former Soviet Union country have been increasing with the ruling party accused of being more and more pro-Russian and authoritarian.
And in Japan a bear that attacked a supermarket employee and then hid inside eating large quantities of meat, while authorities tried to catch him, has been caught. As we’ve reported on this podcast – this is the latest in an increasing number of bear encounters with the general public.
[SOURCE: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c98lygwd837o
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c33dv70kjkeo
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/dec/02/akita-japan-bear-attack-supermarket-captured]
LEELA: Well, thank you so much for that – wait for it… that whippity-whappity-zippity-zappity wrap of what’s making headlines elsewhere in the world, Mama.
MAMA: Thank you very much, Lila. It was my pleasure.
ACE STING – LEELA/MAMA: “Now it’s the ace part of our podcast: Arts, Culture and Entertainment. Darling.”
MAMA: Well, there’s some great news for the city of Paris this weekend.
LEELA: More fusion pastries? Like the now famous “crookie” – which we covered back in April in Episode 177?
MAMA: No, even more iconic than Parisian food is…
LEELA: The Eiffel Tower!
MAMA: Close… But…
LEELA: Ummmm
MAMA: The iconic cathedral, Notre Dame.
LEELA: Oh, I think I’ve heard of that one…?
MAMA: Well, it’s reopening after a huge fire destroyed parts of it five years ago.
LEELA: Oh, oh! I remember that… uhhh… kind of. Well, I remember seeing some big famous church on fire. It looked terrifying!
MAMA: It was! And you’re exactly right! On the night in April 2019, the church’s roof caught fire. And by the next morning, the flames had engulfed the spire!
LEELA: And by spire, you mean that super tall pointy part of the cathedral.
MAMA: Correct! That’s the actual definition of a spire, thank you very much! The whole roof and parts of the spire were engulfed in flames. People from all over the world were watching live! It was quite emotional!
LEELA: How exactly did the fire start?
MAMA: They don´t know for sure but think it might have been some faulty electrical wires, or maybe even a carelessly discarded cigarette butt. Whatever it was… it was they got right back to rebuilding pretty soon after the fire was out.
LEELA: And now that all the renovations are complete, they’re getting ready for big, splashy red-carpet reopening, I bet?
MAMA: You got it.
LEELA: And I bet our trusty Paris correspondent Maya Neuquelman can tell us more…?
MAMA: You got it again.
LEELA: Well, over to you, Maya
MAYA: Thanks, Lyndee and Leela!
Yes, everyone here is super excited about the reopening of one of Paris’ most famous landmarks, the beautiful Notre Dame Cathedral.
It’s masterpiece of French Gothic architecture we’re talking soaring spires, gigantic columns and arches, and of course, elaborate stained glass.
The city was in a state of shock five years ago, when it was badly damaged in a fire. How bad?
We’re talking the spire, the oak frame and the lead roof were destroyed.
I gotta say, people are pretty happy to see it return to looking like its old, grand self.
On Saturday, France’s President Emmanuel Macron will give a speech in front of the church, followed by a special service with a lot of famous people showing up.
But unless you’re with a religious group or with a guided tour, you’re gonna have to wait till the spring or maybe even summer before you can visit.
Suffice to say, we´re all glad it’s back, and just in time for Christmas!
I think Quasimodo is smiling down from above!
In Paris, this is Maya Neuquelman for Newsy Pooloozi!
LEELA: Thanks Maya! And great shout out there about Quasimodo!
MAMA: Ah yes, Quasimodo is the main character in the famous, super old, novel, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, by Victor Hugo. In fact, it was when Hugo came out with the novel that sparked a national movement to preserve the cathedral in the 19th century. Thank you so much, Mr. Hugo.
LEELA: And a Disney movie! Which, to be honest, is where I learned about it.
MAMA: Speaking of Disney… We have some more arts-culture-entertainment darling news this time of the Disney variety.
LEELA: Yes, folks the sequel to Disney’s best ever movie in my mother’s humble opinion, I might add
MAMA: Oh, totally agree with that.
LEELA: Moana has reached epic status – breaking all box office records.
MAMA: It’s so amazing.
LEELA: You know it. Yep, the Walt Disney animation had the biggest five-day opening of all time, among numerous other milestones.
MAMA: And they thought going to the movies was dead. Nope.
LEELA: Not for kids over Thanksgiving weekend anyway. I mean, popcorn was one of the original Thanksgiving dishes, so the legend goes.
MAMA: And speaking of Thanksgiving – we hope y’all had a good one and didn’t mind that we took that week off… But if you do feel like hearing the turkey-day legend and history, then head to our vault.
MAMA: And if you do go back and listen to episode 122, you can hear how different and cute Leela sounded just two years ago.
LEELA: Really, that again?
[SOURCE: https://www.asiaone.com/world/notre-dame-cathedral-paris-set-reopen-heres-what-you-should-know
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/moana-2-box-office-records-broken-1236074175/]
LEELA: And finally, let’s see what the lucky dip machine has for us this week.
ODDBALL STING – VARIOUS VOICES: “Step right up, step right up… Have a go at the lucky dip machine… What’s it gonna be today, eh? An oddball, no doubt!”
LEELA: Today’s lucky dip is about a strange discovery on a plane in Portugal.
MAMA: What, strange like a snake is discovered on board, like we reported on in Malaysia way back in 2022?
LEELA: Well, let’s just say if there were snakes on this plane, they would have had a feast!
MAMA: O.M.G. This sounds potentially funny and creepy at the same time!
LEEELA: It’s kind of is!
MAMA: So… I’m queuing the music… Do tell…
MUSIC
MAMA: Do tell!
LEELA: Well, on a flight traveling across the European country of Portugal, baggage handlers noticed something a bit… strange when they were unloading all the people’s luggage.
MAMA: OK… Strange as in…?
LEELA: Well, in addition to carrying people, the flight was also carrying animals for a pet store.
MAMA: Keep going…
LEELA: And while the workers were unloading the bags, they noticed some of the animal cages had been damaged.
MAMA: Uh oh…
LEELA: Oh, yes. And they discovered the animals were… missing!
MAMA: Duh duh duuuuuuuunnn... What kind of animals are we talking about exactly?
LEELA: Snake food!
MAMA: Eeewww…
LEELA: Hamsters of course! Like 132 hamsters to be exact. They escaped mid-flight and were running around in the cargo hold, getting themselves into every nook and cranny imaginable!
MAMA: Wowzers! And did any of these little guys make their way up into the passenger section of the plane? Did these hamsters hamstring the flight? Hahaha.
LEELA: As in, did they cause a ruckus? No, they stayed in the part of the plane where the luggage is kept.
MAMA: That would also be called the cargo hold.
LEELA: Yep, and that flight was grounded – as in no flying – until all those little critters were found.
MAMA: Oh, why? Were they worried they’d upset the passengers?
LEELA: Oh, no, more like upset the safety of the flight!
MAMA: Really?
LEELA: Yep, rodents are well known for munch-munch-munching… anything… including wires.
MAMA: Danger, danger…! So, what happened finally to all those hamsters?
LEELA: It took airplane crews four days to find them all, but they did. All the hamsters and their pups are off the plane.
MAMA: Phew! Wait – pups?
LEELA: OH, yeah, there’s a fabulous fact for you there baby hamsters are called pups.
MAMA: Well, I never.
LEELA: And a mama hamster has about eight pups at once, can you imagine. Totally adorable or what??
MAMA: Huh. No, not really the word I’d use, but, OK, whatever spins your hamster wheel.
LEELA: Oh… I was wondering when the pun fun would come…
MAMA: Well, just one more… I’m really surprised this flight full of hamsters wasn’t rerouted to… Hamsterdam.
LEELA: Oh, very, very good! Why didn’t I think of that…
https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2024/11/18/portugal-Tap-Air-Portugal-flight-grounded-hamsters/6701731956622/]
FAB FACTS STING – LEELA: “And it’s time to wrap up the podcast with the top five fab facts heard today. Here goes…”
MAMA: FAB FACT NUMBER 1 – In an effort to stop the scourge of social media on young people, the Australian government approves a social media ban for kids under 16 years old. What is a scourge?
Something that causes a lot of trouble or suffering
LEELA: FAB FACT NUMBER 2 – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service added certain giraffes to their endangered species list. What does endanger mean?
Becoming extinct either around the world or in specific areas
MAMA: FAB FACT NUMBER 3 – The spire of Paris’s most iconic cathedral has been rebuilt and is about to reopen after a fire damaged it five years ago.
What is a spire?
The super tall pointy parts of a cathedral
LEELA: FAB FACT NUMBER 4 – And what is the name of the author who wrote The Hunchback of Notre Dame, which sparked a national movement to preserve the cathedral in the 19th century?
Victor Hugo
MAMA: FAB FACT NUMBER 5 – Aplane in Portugal is grounded for four days when 132 hamsters and their babies escaped on board. What are baby hamsters called?
Pups
And don’t forget, if you want to test yourself later on, then go to the Lucky Dip page of our website, newsypooloozi.com, that’s pool-o-o-z-i, and take this quiz online in your own time!
LEELA: And that almost brings us to the end of this episode of Newsy Pooloozi! But first…
MAMA: A big thank you to Bridget Joseph, who left us five stars on Apple Pods in India and said, A very well produced podcast. The effort is incredible, and so is the podcast. I look forward to it every week.
LEELA: Oh, that’s awesome to hear – thanks so much!
MAMA: We would like to thank the lovely Jyoti Chauhan for her production help and Julie Noce for helping write this episode!
THEME MUSIC
LEELA: Yeah, thank you guys. If you enjoyed this dip in the coolest pool of news and information then hit that subscribe button on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Alexa or wherever you get your podcasts.
MAMA: While you’re at it… Give us a good rating. Or better still, leave us a review! Go on – we’ll read it out loud if you do…
LEELA: And don’t forget to check out our website – that’s newsypooloozi.com – p-o-o-l o-o-z-i.com
Alrighty then, see you next week in the happy, splashy giant Newsy Pooloozi!
-ends-