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UK cracks down on child social media use as Meta and Roblox reshape digital trends

From AI-powered shopping to overnight digital curfews, this week's tech moves reveal a clash between innovation and regulation. Who will adapt—and who will fall behind?

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2 min read
The image shows a colorful design on the right side with the words "AI, Apps, IoT" written on it...
The image shows a colorful design on the right side with the words "AI, Apps, IoT" written on it against a white background.

Major shifts are underway in tech, retail, and media this week. Companies like Meta, eBay, and Roblox are rolling out new strategies, while the UK government launches a fresh consultation on child safety online. Meanwhile, leadership changes and acquisitions are reshaping key players in the industry. The UK government has started a three-month consultation on stricter social media rules for children. Proposals under review include banning under-16s from using platforms, setting daily usage limits, and enforcing overnight digital curfews.

Meta is expanding its AI capabilities with two key moves. First, it has begun testing an AI shopping assistant within its Meta AI chatbot. The tool provides tailored product suggestions, price comparisons, merchant links, and brief explanations. Separately, the company secured a multiyear licensing deal with News Corp, worth up to USD$50 million annually, to train AI models and integrate news content into chatbots.

In the gaming and retail space, Roblox has surpassed TikTok as the fastest-growing shopping platform among Gen Z users. Data shows an average of 20 purchases per user on Roblox over the past year—a 54% increase from the previous year.

eBay, however, is scaling back its operations. The company plans to cut around 800 jobs, accounting for roughly 6% of its global workforce, as part of a wider restructuring effort.

Leadership changes are also making headlines. Dentsu has announced that Takeshi Sano will take over as president and global CEO in March 2026. Meanwhile, HubSpot has acquired creator platform Starter Story, bringing its entire leadership team into the company. The coming months will see tighter regulations for young social media users in the UK, while Meta’s AI investments aim to transform shopping and news consumption. Job cuts at eBay reflect broader industry shifts, and Roblox’s growth signals changing shopping habits among younger consumers. These developments highlight evolving priorities across tech, retail, and governance.

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