Australia Kicks Kids Off Social Media + Is the A.I. Water Issue Fake? + Hard Fork Wrapped

In this episode of Hard Fork, Casey Newton and Kevin Russo discuss Australia's new law banning social media for those under 16, exploring the potential impacts and reactions from various stakeholders, including teens, platforms, and policymakers. They also discuss the environmental impact of AI, featuring Andy Masley, who challenges the narrative around AI's water usage, arguing that it's a distraction from more significant environmental concerns like energy consumption. Finally, they wrap up the year with "Hard Fork Wrapped," reviewing key statistics, top stories, and the most impactful podcast episode of the year, which was their interview with Roblox CEO David Buzuki, reflecting on the accountability of tech executives.