Wednesday briefing: In a new era of far-right organising, how can we tackle hate?

In today’s newsletter: The far right are using social media to foster division, from Southampton to Belfast, but there are calls for clear and urgent ways to counter digital radicalism

UK social media ban could cut lifeline for disabled children, campaigners warn

Activists say blanket ban could prevent teenagers from finding peers and role models with similar conditions

‘Streaming gave me a space to be myself’: Twitch creators on what it’s like to grow up on the platform

The world’s most successful gamer content creators, many of whom have spent their entire adult life on the platform, have met up at TwitchCon in Rotterdam

UK ministers lobby Trump to avert backlash against social media ban

No 10 is worried about retaliation from White House over restrictions on under-16s’ internet use

The Guardian view on regulating big tech: the UK’s new, tougher approach to child safety is overdue

There are real concerns about how a social media ban for under-16s will work. But tighter rules could be a step towards a better internet for everyone

Technology secretary says she wants regulator to design plans for online age verification by October – as it happened

Liz Kendall also wants Ofcom to report to parliament every year on how effectively social media firms are keeping under-16s off their platforms

Social media firms hit back as Starmer announces ban for under-16s in UK

Meta, YouTube and Snapchat say ban, which would stop children using their platforms, will drive them to ‘less safe services’

The problem with ‘loneliness influencers’ isn’t their friendlessness – it’s the air of cosy defeatism

Most of us will experience periods of solitude at some point. But beige furnishings and self-care rituals are not the answer, says writer Rachel Connolly

Starmer to announce ‘Australia plus’ ban on social media for under-16s

Sources say hardline measures will also prevent young users from being able to talk to strangers on gaming apps

Why is the UK launching an ‘Australia plus’ social media ban and how will it work?

Government wants to back parents against tech companies though some feel the process has been rushed

‘Have I been influenced, or is this actually me?’ How personal taste fell out of fashion

Our favourite music, clothes and books used to be markers of individuality – but the algorithm has made us all sheep. Meet the style rebels fighting back

NHS staff battling wave of food supplement disinformation

Exclusive: Cancer charity says dispelling falsehoods gleaned from social media is now routine task for clinicians

Make platforms that promote violent content pay towards riot costs, Streeting says

Exclusive: Former minister calls for urgent action against companies such as X that allow incitement to violence

UK sets out AI infrastructure push at London Tech Week – how does it stack up?

Government announces plans to invest billions, but questions linger over how its proposals on chips, social media and more will work

UK parents support an under-16 social media ban – but what do their children think?

These young people recognise dangers of ‘addictive’ social media but have differing views on a total crackdown