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Softbank CEO and AI investor Masayoshi Son said Friday that advanced artificial intelligence could surpass humans to the extent that “we become fish” and could even win the Nobel Prize in Literature.Meeting South Korean President Lee Jae Myung in Seoul, Son, whose SoftBank is a major backer of ChatGPT maker OpenAI, described a future in which an advanced AI surpasses humans by a magnitude of 10,000.”The difference between the human brain and the… goldfish in the pot — the difference is 10,000 times,” he said.”But it’s going to be different — we will become fish, they (the AI) become like humans,” he said.”They will be 10,000 times smarter than us,” he told President Lee, who had vowed to turn South Korea into an AI powerhouse. Son compared the relationship between this artificial super intelligence (ASI) and humankind to relations between human beings and their pets.”We try to make them happy… we try to live in peace with them,” he said.”We don’t need to eat them… ASI does not eat protein. They don’t need to eat us — don’t worry.”Lee responded laughing that he was “a bit concerned now”.He asked Son whether ASI could win a Nobel Prize in Literature, won last year by South Korean author Han Kang.”I do not believe this is a desirable situation,” Lee said.”I think it will,” Son replied.ASI has been described as a hypothetical scenario when AI overtakes humans.Scientists still consider it a long way off, but say a crucial first step — artificial general intelligence (AGI), which would outperform humans across most tasks — could arrive within a decade.

ChatGPT maker OpenAI and an Australian data centre operator have agreed to develop a multibillion-dollar AI centre in Sydney.Brisbane-headquartered NextDC said Friday it signed a memorandum of understanding with OpenAI to develop an artificial intelligence campus and a “supercluster” of graphics processing units. The two firms will collaborate on planning, development and operation of the AI infrastructure partnership in western Sydney, NextDC said in a statement.NextDC shares were up 4.1 percent in early afternoon trade.Australia’s government said the Aus$7 billion (US$4.6 billion) development would create thousands of direct and indirect jobs during its construction, and ongoing technical, manufacturing, engineering and operational roles.The project would use long-term power purchase agreements for new renewable energy sources and “next generation” features not requiring drinking water for cooling, the government said.”It’s more proof Australia has the talent, clean energy potential, trade partnerships, and policy settings needed to be one of the big winners when it comes to AI,” said Treasurer Jim Chalmers.”Partnerships like these will help create good jobs, boost skills, and spread AI adoption across our economy.”

Asian markets struggled into the weekend on Friday following a bland lead from Wall Street as a mixed bag of US data did little to move the needle on expectations the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates next week.Investors have in recent sessions struggled to match last week’s healthy gains fuelled by comments from central bank officials indicating their preference for a further easing of monetary policy.However, optimism has been helped by reports reinforcing the view that the jobs market is softening, including payrolls firm ADP saying more than 30,000 posts were lost in November.And while figures Thursday on jobless claims and layoffs came in slightly better than expected, markets have priced the chances of a rate cut Wednesday at around 90 percent.Focus is now on the release later Friday of the personal consumption expenditures (PCE) index, the Fed’s preferred gauge of inflation, with a below-forecast reading tipped to ramp up hopes for several more rate reductions in 2026.Data on income and spending is also due to come out.Still, debate continues to swirl over the bank’s plans for the next 12 months as inflation remains stubbornly above target.”While the US labour market is showing signs of slowing with the latest ADP report seeing a decline in hiring, there is a sense that it is still reasonably resilient,” said Michael Hewson at MCH Market Insights.With key jobs creation data not due until after the Fed’s decision, “any further move to cut rates by another 25 basis points could well be a leap of faith on the part of some members of the committee”, he wrote.He warned that “markets are pricing in the likelihood of another cut, which means any delay could prompt a significant adverse reaction”.”Of course, there is another scenario where the Fed cuts rates, but then signals a pause as it looks to assess the effect that three successive rate cuts have had on the US economy.”Wall Street ended on a tepid note, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq slightly higher but the Dow marginally off.Tokyo shed more than one percent, having jumped more than two percent Thursday, while Hong Kong, Shanghai, Singapore and Wellington were also off. Sydney, Seoul, Taipei, Manila and Jakarta edged up.In corporate news, Chinese artificial intelligence chip maker Moore Threads Technology soared more than 450 percent on its debut in Shanghai after raising $1.13 billion in an initial public offering.- Key figures at around 0230 GMT -Tokyo – Nikkei 225: DOWN 1.1 percent at 50,465.14 (break) Hong Kong – Hang Seng Index: DOWN 0.5 percent at 25,800.74Shanghai – Composite: DOWN 0.2 percent at 3,868.09Euro/dollar: UP at $1.1652 from $1.1648 on ThursdayPound/dollar: DOWN at $1.3330 from $1.3335Dollar/yen: UP at 155.08 yen from 155.03 yenEuro/pound: UP at 87.40 pence from 87.00 penceWest Texas Intermediate: DOWN 0.3 percent at $59.52 per barrelBrent North Sea Crude: DOWN 0.1 percent at $63.17 per barrelNew York – Dow: DOWN 0.1 percent at 47,850.94 (close)London – FTSE 100: UP 0.2 percent at 9,710.87 (close)

Wall Street stocks finished mixed at the end of a choppy session Thursday as markets digested varying labor market data and looked ahead to next week’s Federal Reserve decision.Strong gains by Facebook parent Meta and tech giant Salesforce helped lift the Nasdaq into positive territory, while the Dow finished slightly lower.Earlier, bourses in London, Paris and Frankfurt all pushed higher.A weekly report of initial US jobless claims showed a drop of 27,000. That upbeat figure came on the heels of data on Wednesday from private payroll firm ADP that showed a surprise decline in hiring last month.A separate report Thursday by the executive placement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas showed a jump in job cuts in November, lifting the 2025 total to the highest level since 2020.”The market is trying to figure out how to interpret the jobs data today,” said Tom Cahill of Ventura Wealth Management. “There’s some confusion.”Cahill said widespread expectations that the Fed will cut interest rates next week is “putting a floor under equity prices and other risk assets.”Tokyo earlier rallied more than two percent in a positive Asian session which also saw Hong Kong, Sydney, Taipei and Bangkok finish higher.A healthy 30-year Japanese government bond sale provided some support as it slightly eased tensions about a possible rate hike by the central bank this month. The news compounded a strong response to a 10-year auction earlier in the week that settled some nerves.Elsewhere, oil prices advanced about one percent, with analysts pointing to uncertainty over the prospects for diplomatic efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war.Shares in Meta rose 3.4 percent after a report that the Facebook parent is significantly cutting back on virtual-reality investments in a pivot toward artificial intelligence.According to Bloomberg, Meta plans to cut its Metaverse costs by 30 percent — news that drove its share price up as much as four percent in Thursday trading on Wall Street.Salesforce jumped 3.7 percent as the tech giant raised its full-year sales forecast.- Key figures at around 2115 GMT -New York – Dow: DOWN 0.1 percent at 47,850.94 (close)New York – S&P 500: UP 0.1 percent at 6,857.12 (close)New York – Nasdaq Composite: UP 0.2 percent at 23,505.14 (close)London – FTSE 100: UP 0.2 percent at 9,710.87 (close)Paris – CAC 40: UP 0.4 percent at 8,122.03 (close)Frankfurt – DAX: UP 0.8 percent at 23,882.03 (close)Tokyo – Nikkei 225: UP 2.3 percent at 51,028.42 (close) Hong Kong – Hang Seng Index: UP 0.7 percent at 25,935.90 (close)Shanghai – Composite: DOWN 0.1 percent at 3,875.79 (close)Euro/dollar: DOWN at $1.1648 from $1.1671 on WednesdayPound/dollar: DOWN at $1.3335 from $1.3353Dollar/yen: DOWN at 155.03 yen from 155.25 yenEuro/pound: DOWN at 87.00 pence from 87.40 penceBrent North Sea Crude: UP 0.9 percent at $63.26 per barrelWest Texas Intermediate: UP 1.1 percent at $59.67 per barrel

World stock markets mostly rose Thursday after the latest batch of US data reinforced expectations that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates next week and in 2026.Eyeing a third straight session in the green, Wall Street endured a mixed start as the Dow slid just into the red after a modestly positive start.But the tech-heavy Nasdaq was 0.1 percent up after initially having slipped back amid lingering concerns over high tech valuations.Shares in Meta were up sharply after a report that the Facebook parent company is significantly cutting back on virtual-reality investments in a pivot toward artificial intelligence.According to Bloomberg, Meta plans to cut metaverse costs by 30 percent — news that drove its share price up as much as four percent in Thursday trading on Wall Street.The broader S&P was little changed, while major European markets were higher, London ending 0.2 percent ahead as Frankfurt added 0.8 percent.Tokyo earlier rallied more than two percent in a positive Asian session which also saw Hong Kong, Sydney, Taipei and Bangkok finish higher.Bets on a December reduction for US interest rates have surged after several Fed officials said supporting jobs was more important than keeping a lid on elevated inflation.The need for more action was further stoked by Wednesday’s data from payrolls firm ADP showing 32,000 posts were lost in November, compared with an expected rise of 10,000.The drop was the most since early 2023 and is the latest indication of a stuttering American labour market.”Right now, the data argues for additional Fed funds rate cuts,” noted Elias Haddad, markets analyst at Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.”US labor demand is weak, consumer spending is showing early signs of cracking, and upside risks to inflation are fading.”Kathleen Brooks, research director at XTB, noted that “there seems to be one main driver for stocks this year: an increase in expectations of a Fed rate cut next week. The Fed Fund Futures market is now pricing in a 98-percent chance of a cut next week.”Oil prices were up around one percent.On currency markets the dollar traded mixed and the Indian rupee wallowed at record lows of more than 90 against the greenback as investors grew increasingly worried about a lack of progress in India-US trade talks.- Key figures at around 1645 GMT -New York – Dow: DOWN 0.1 percent at 47,852.97 pointsNew York – S&P 500: UP 0.1 percent at 6,853.15New York – Nasdaq Composite: UP 0.1 percent at 23,484.03London – FTSE 100: UP 0.2 percent at 9,710.87 (close)Paris – CAC 40: UP 0.5 percent at 8,122.03 (close)Frankfurt – DAX: UP 0.8 percent at 23,882.03 (close)Tokyo – Nikkei 225: UP 2.3 percent at 51,028.42 (close) Hong Kong – Hang Seng Index: UP 0.7 percent at 25,935.90 (close)Shanghai – Composite: DOWN 0.1 percent at 3,875.79 (close)Euro/dollar: DOWN at $1.1655 from $1.1667 on WednesdayPound/dollar: UP at $1.3353 from $1.3352Dollar/yen: DOWN at 154.86 yen from 155.23 yenEuro/pound: DOWN at 87.29 pence from 87.39 penceBrent North Sea Crude: UP 0.9 percent at $63.24 per barrelWest Texas Intermediate: UP 1.1 percent at $59.61 per barrel

World stock markets mostly rose Thursday after the latest batch of US data reinforced expectations that the Federal Reserve will cut US interest rates next week and in 2026.Eying a third straight session in the green, Wall Street was barely up minutes after the opening bell as the Dow added 0.1 percent but the tech-heavy Nasdaq slipped back almost 0.2 percent amid lingering concerns over high tech valuations. The wider S&P was little changed, and the major European markets were higher.Bets on a December reduction for US interest rates have surged after several Fed officials said supporting jobs was more important than keeping a lid on elevated inflation.The need for more action was further stoked by Wednesday’s data from payrolls firm ADP showing 32,000 posts were lost in November, compared with an expected rise of 10,000.The drop was the most since early 2023 and is the latest example of a stuttering American labour market.”Right now, the data argues for additional Fed funds rate cuts,” noted Elias Haddad, markets analyst at Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.”US labor demand is weak, consumer spending is showing early signs of cracking, and upside risks to inflation are fading.”Kathleen Brooks, research director at XTB noted that “there seems to be one main driver for stocks this year: an increase in expectations of a Fed rate cut next week. The Fed Fund Futures market is now pricing in a 98 percent chance of a cut next week.”London, Paris and Frankfurt were all ahead around half of one percent some two hours out from the close while Tokyo earlier rallied more than two percent in a positive Asian session which also saw Hong Kong, Sydney, Taipei and Bangkok finish higher.A healthy 30-year Japanese government bond sale provided some support for Tokyo’s market, as it eased tensions about a possible rate hike from the Bank of Japan this month. The news compounded a strong response to a 10-year auction earlier in the week that settled some nerves.While market players remain confident that the Fed will continue to cut interest rates into the new year, economists at Bank of America still had a note of caution.”The most immediate source of volatility remains the US Federal Reserve,” they wrote.”While inflation has moderated and the trajectory of policy easing is intact, uncertainty around timing persists. Any delay in rate cuts could remain a source of volatility.”On currency markets, the dollar traded mixed and the Indian rupee wallowed at record lows of more than 90 against the greenback as investors grow increasingly worried about a lack of progress in India-US trade talks.- Key figures at around 1500 GMT -New York – Dow: UP 0.1 percent at 47,939.73 pointsNew York – S&P 500: FLAT at 6,851.81New York – Nasdaq Composite: DOWN 0.2 percent at 23,414.84London – FTSE 100: UP 0.1 percent at 9,711.52Paris – CAC 40: UP 0.5 percent at 8,129.97Frankfurt – DAX: UP 0.9 percent at 23,913.03Tokyo – Nikkei 225: UP 2.3 percent at 51,028.42 (close) Hong Kong – Hang Seng Index: UP 0.7 percent at 25,935.90 (close)Shanghai – Composite: DOWN 0.1 percent at 3,875.79 (close)Euro/dollar: UP at $1.1672 from $1.1667 on WednesdayPound/dollar: DOWN at $1.3362 from $1.3352Dollar/yen: DOWN at 154.64 yen from 155.23 yenEuro/pound: DOWN at 87.35 pence from 87.39 penceBrent North Sea Crude: UP 0.3 percent at $62.88 per barrelWest Texas Intermediate: UP 0.4 percent at $59.17 per barrel

European and Asian stock markets mostly rose Thursday after the latest batch of US data reinforced expectations that the Federal Reserve will cut US interest rates next week and into 2026.Wall Street rose for a second straight session Wednesday despite lingering concerns regarding high valuations in the tech sector.Bets on a December reduction for US interest rates had already surged after several Fed officials said supporting jobs was more important than keeping a lid on elevated inflation.The need for more action was further stoked by Wednesday’s data from payrolls firm ADP showing 32,000 posts were lost in November, compared with an expected rise of 10,000.The drop was the most since early 2023 and is the latest example of a stuttering American labour market.”Right now, the data argues for additional Fed funds rate cuts,” noted Elias Haddad, markets analyst at Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.”US labor demand is weak, consumer spending is showing early signs of cracking, and upside risks to inflation are fading.”After New York’s advance, Tokyo rallied more than two percent Thursday, with Hong Kong, Sydney, Taipei and Bangkok also finishing higher.London, Paris and Frankfurt all rose heading into afternoon sessions.A healthy 30-year Japanese government bond sale provided some support for Tokyo’s market, as it eased tensions about a possible rate hike from the Bank of Japan this month. The news compounded a strong response to a 10-year auction earlier in the week that settled some nerves.While market players remain confident that the Fed will continue to cut interest rates into the new year, economists at Bank of America still had a note of caution.”The most immediate source of volatility remains the US Federal Reserve,” they wrote.”While inflation has moderated and the trajectory of policy easing is intact, uncertainty around timing persists. Any delay in rate cuts could remain a source of volatility.”On currency markets, the dollar traded mixed and the Indian rupee wallowed at record lows of more than 90 against the greenback as investors grow increasingly worried about a lack of progress in India-US trade talks.- Key figures at around 1100 GMT -London – FTSE 100: UP 0.1 percent at 9,703.48 pointsParis – CAC 40: UP 0.3 percent at 8,109.91Frankfurt – DAX: UP 0.6 percent at 23,846.64Tokyo – Nikkei 225: UP 2.3 percent at 51,028.42 (close) Hong Kong – Hang Seng Index: UP 0.7 percent at 25,935.90 (close)Shanghai – Composite: DOWN 0.1 percent at 3,875.79 (close)New York – Dow: UP 0.9 percent at 47,882.90 (close)Euro/dollar: UP at $1.1668 from $1.1667 on WednesdayPound/dollar: DOWN at $1.3343 from $1.3352Dollar/yen: DOWN at 154.76 yen from 155.23 yenEuro/pound: UP at 87.44 pence from 87.39 penceBrent North Sea Crude: UP 0.5 percent at $62.97 per barrelWest Texas Intermediate: UP 0.6 percent at $59.30 per barrel

Asian and European markets were mixed Thursday after the latest batch of US data reinforced expectations that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates for a third successive time next week.Wall Street rose for a second straight day after a minor selloff on Monday, though regional traders moved a little more tentatively as worries over extended valuations in the tech sector continued to linger.Bets on a US reduction on Wednesday have surged to around 90 percent in the past two weeks, after several Fed officials backed such a move saying supporting jobs was more important than keeping a lid on elevated inflation.The need for more action was further stoked by data from payrolls firm ADP showing 32,000 posts were lost in November, compared with an expected rise of 10,000, according to Bloomberg.”Hiring has been choppy of late as employers weather cautious consumers and an uncertain macroeconomic environment,” ADP chief economist Nela Richardson said.The reading was also the most since early 2023 and is the latest example of a stuttering labour market.”Right now, the data argues for additional Fed funds rate cuts. US labor demand is weak, consumer spending is showing early signs of cracking, and upside risks to inflation are fading,” Elias Haddad, of Brown Brothers Harriman & Co, wrote.After New York’s advance, Tokyo rallied more than two percent, with Hong Kong, Sydney, Taipei and Bangkok also up, along with London, Paris and Frankfurt.Shanghai, Seoul, Singapore, Wellington, Manila, Mumbai and Bangkok slipped.A healthy 30-year Japanese government bond sale provided some support as it slightly eased tensions about a posible rate hike by the central bank this month. The news compounded a strong response to a 10-year auction earlier in the week that settled some nerves.On stocks, Pepperstone’s Michael Brown said in a note: “Path continues to point to the upside, with the bull case remaining a very solid one indeed, and with participants seeking to ride the coattails of the rally higher, especially amid the increased influence of FOMO/FOMU flows as we move into the end of the year.”However, while market players remain confident that the Fed will continue to cut interest rates into the new year, economists at Bank of America still had a note of caution.”The most immediate source of volatility remains the US Federal Reserve,” they wrote.”While inflation has moderated and the trajectory of policy easing is intact, uncertainty around timing persists. Any delay in rate cuts could remain a source of volatility.”On currency markets the Indian rupee wallowed at record lows of more than 90 per dollar as investors grow increasingly worried about a lack of progress in trade talks with Washington, as observers say Donald Trump’s 50 percent tariffs are taking a toll on the economy.- Key figures at around 0815 GMT -Tokyo – Nikkei 225: UP 2.3 percent at 51,028.42 (close) Hong Kong – Hang Seng Index: UP 0.7 percent at 25,935.90 (close)Shanghai – Composite: DOWN 0.1 percent at 3,875.79 (close)London – FTSE 100: UP 0.1 percent at 9,701.92 Euro/dollar: DOWN at $1.1663 from $1.1667 on WednesdayPound/dollar: DOWN at $1.3337 from $1.3352Dollar/yen: UP at 155.25 yen from 155.23 yenEuro/pound: UP at 87.45 pence from 87.39 penceWest Texas Intermediate: UP 0.7 percent at $59.36 per barrelBrent North Sea Crude: UP 0.6 percent at $63.04 per barrelNew York – Dow: UP 0.9 percent at 47,882.90 (close)

Asian markets struggled to maintain their early momentum Thursday, even after the latest batch of US data reinforced expectations that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates for a third successive time next week.While Wall Street rose for a second day after a minor selloff on Monday, regional traders moved a little more tentatively as worries over extended valuations in the tech sector continued to linger.Bets on a US reduction on Wednesday have surged to around 90 percent in the past two weeks, after several Fed officials backed such a move saying supporting jobs was more important than keeping a lid on elevated inflation.The need for more action was further stoked by data from payrolls firm ADP showing 32,000 posts were lost in November, compared with an expected rise of 10,000, according to Bloomberg.”Hiring has been choppy of late as employers weather cautious consumers and an uncertain macroeconomic environment,” ADP chief economist Nela Richardson said.The reading was also the most since early 2023 and is the latest example of a stuttering labour market.”Right now, the data argues for additional Fed funds rate cuts. US labor demand is weak, consumer spending is showing early signs of cracking, and upside risks to inflation are fading,” Elias Haddad, of Brown Brothers Harriman & Co, wrote.Markets in Asia stumbled as they struggled to match New York’s advance.Tokyo advanced with Sydney and Manila, but Hong Kong, Shanghai, Seoul, Singapore, Wellington and Taipei were all down.Still, Pepperstone’s Michael Brown said in a note: “Path continues to point to the upside, with the bull case remaining a very solid one indeed, and with participants seeking to ride the coattails of the rally higher, especially amid the increased influence of FOMO/FOMU flows as we move into the end of the year.”However, while market players remain confident that the Fed will continue to cut interest rates into the new year, economists at Bank of America still had a note of caution.”The most immediate source of volatility remains the U.S. Federal Reserve,” they wrote.”While inflation has moderated and the trajectory of policy easing is intact, uncertainty around timing persists. Any delay in rate cuts could remain a source of volatility.”- Key figures at around 0230 GMT -Tokyo – Nikkei 225: UP 1.5 percent at 50,596.24 (break) Hong Kong – Hang Seng Index: DOWN 0.3 percent at 25,687.40Shanghai – Composite: DOWN 0.4 percent at 3846.39Euro/dollar: DOWN at $1.1660 from $1.1667 on WednesdayPound/dollar: DOWN at $1.3336 from $1.3352Dollar/yen: UP at 155.37 yen from 155.23 yenEuro/pound: UP at 87.43 pence from 87.39 penceWest Texas Intermediate: UP 0.2 percent at $59.09 per barrelBrent North Sea Crude: UP 0.2 percent at $62.77 per barrelNew York – Dow: UP 0.9 percent at 47,882.90 (close)London – FTSE 100: DOWN 0.1 percent at 9,692.07 (close) 

Tech giant Meta said Thursday it is starting to remove under-16s in Australia from Instagram, Threads and Facebook ahead of the country’s world-first youth social media ban.Australia is requiring major online platforms, also including TikTok and YouTube, to block underage users by December 10, when the new law comes into force.Companies face fines of Aus$49.5 million (US$32 million) if they fail to take “reasonable steps” to comply.”While we are working hard to remove all users who we understand to be under the age of 16 by 10 December, compliance with the law will be an ongoing and multi-layered process,” a Meta spokesperson said.Younger users can save and download their online histories, the spokesperson for the US company added.”Before you turn 16, we will notify you that you will soon be allowed to regain access to these platforms, and your content will be restored exactly as you left it.”Hundreds of thousands of adolescents are expected to be impacted by the ban, with Instagram alone reporting about 350,000 Australian users aged 13 to 15.Some popular apps and websites such as Roblox, Pinterest and WhatsApp are exempt, but the list remains under review.- ‘Weird’ -Meta said it was committed to complying with the Australian law, but it called for app stores to be held accountable for checking ages instead.”The government should require app stores to verify age and obtain parental approval whenever teens under 16 download apps, eliminating the need for teens to verify their age multiple times across different apps,” the spokesperson said.”Social media platforms could then use this verified age information to ensure teens are in age-appropriate experiences.”YouTube has also attacked the social media ban.The video-streaming giant said this week the new law would make young Australians “less safe” because under-16s could still visit the website without an account but would lose YouTube safety filters.But Australia’s communications minister described its argument as “weird”.- Self-esteem -“If YouTube is reminding us all that it is not safe and there’s content not appropriate for age-restricted users on their website, that’s a problem that YouTube needs to fix,” Communications Minister Anika Wells said this week.Wells told reporters some Australian teens had killed themselves as algorithms “latched on” — targeting them with content that drained their self-esteem.”This specific law will not fix every harm occurring on the internet, but it will make it easier for kids to chase a better version of themselves,” she said.An internet rights group last week launched a legal challenge to halt the ban.The Digital Freedom Project said it had challenged the laws in Australia’s High Court, calling them an “unfair” assault on freedom of speech.Australia expects rebellious teens will do their best to skirt the laws. Guidelines warn they might try to upload fake IDs or use AI to make their photos appear older.Platforms are expected to devise their own means to stop this happening, but “no solution is likely to be 100 percent effective”, the internet safety watchdog has said.There is keen interest in whether Australia’s sweeping restrictions can work as regulators around the globe wrestle with the potential dangers of social media.Malaysia indicated it was planning to block children under 16 from signing up to social media accounts next year, while New Zealand will introduce a similar ban.