All I want for my sweet sixteen is a TikTok account!
The UK government recently announced a sweeping ban blocking anyone under 16 from major platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Set to roll out next spring, the policy is designed to protect children from online harms. To enforce it, platforms may soon require users, including adults, to upload official government IDs and complete AI facial scans to verify their age.

And while this sounds like a win for us parents wanting to protect our children from the dangers of social media, critics argue it might actually be a massive win for Big Tech. By legally forcing age verification across the board, the law hands tech giants a goldmine of biometric data they previously could not access. Major companies can leverage this highly sensitive info to build deeper consumer profiles for hyper-specific advertising.

Some experts believe the US may implement a similar ban within the next year or two, but no official bill has been passed.

By the way, Australia already has a ban in place, and according to Australians, it's a complete joke.

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💉 Wash down your chocolate milk with some GLP-1s
Some doctors are prescribing GLP-1 weight-loss drugs like Wegovy to children as young as six to ward off future health issues like Type 2 diabetes. While these medications are only FDA-approved for kids 12 and older, trials for younger groups are popping up. Many pediatric experts remain hesitant, raising concerns about proper nutrient intake and the completely unknown long-term effects of putting children on these medications for decades. That being said, 21% of U.S. children have obesity, and some experts believe GLP-1s are well worth the risk.

⚠️ Too much bending early in pregnancy could increase miscarriage risk
A new study analyzing over 800,000 pregnancies linked high physical strain at work during early pregnancy to an increased risk of miscarriage. Researchers found that each extra hour of forward bending at a 30-degree angle was associated with a 36% higher risk, while an extra hour of walking raised it by 18%. This data goes against the current guidelines for expectant mothers.

💃 What's a beta mom, and why are they having so much fun?
Burned-out parents are officially ditching high-stress "Alpha" and "Tiger" parenting styles to embrace being a "Beta Mom." This new approach trades rigid optimization and strict schedules for flexibility and presence. By stepping back and allowing room for messes, choices, and mistakes, parents report experiencing significantly less anxiety. Even better, letting kids figure things out on their own builds massive long-term independence.

🚻 Man loses job after confronting dad in bathroom with his daughters
Have you seen this viral video? The clip features dad Tyler Brodsky being accosted by a man after taking his young daughters into an empty women's bathroom during a road trip to avoid a dirty men's room. The video has garnered millions of views and has sparked a major debate online.

📝 Parents say these 13 "outdated" traditions need to make a comeback
Do you agree?

Amazon Prime Day runs through June 26th, and is the best time of year between now and Black Friday for any big purchases. Some of the hottest deals right now?

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I honestly can't believe that Dense Bean Salads have become a TikTok trend … but I'm also old and have been eating bean and veggie salads since before TikTok was a thing.

Setting aside the fact that this is endlessly versatile, can accommodate any flavor combination you might imagine, and is deliciously filling, the best part about these salads are that they can sit in your fridge all week and somehow taste better every time you eat them.

Salad
1 can garbanzo beans, drained, rinsed and dried
1 can navy beans, drained, rinsed and dried
1 small red onion, diced (or shallot for a milder taste)
2 small bell peppers, diced (red, orange or yellow)
½ English cucumber, diced
½ cup Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
6 ounces feta cheese, crumpled
Fresh parsley, stems removed, finely diced

Dressing
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
Juice of one lemon (about 3 tablespoons)
1 tablespoon maple syrup
1 teaspoon dijon mustard
3 large cloves garlic, pressed
½ teaspoon fine salt
½ teaspoon dried oregano

Instructions
Chop, mix, store, eat.

Pro Tip: These make great containers if you want to weekend prep and have lunch all week.

Last week, we asked you what the one grocery item you absolutely refuse to buy store-brand was, and there was a tie for first place between, "Cereal" and "Nothing! If it's cheaper, it goes in the cart!"