The UK has moved to introduce restrictions on social media and smartphones for children and teens. In England, the government has confirmed it will give phone-free school guidance legal force through the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, effectively requiring schools to enforce stronger restrictions on pupils’ phone use during the day. Ministers say this is about turning what many schools already do into a clearer national expectation, while Ofsted will also begin monitoring mobile phone policies in inspections.

Alongside that, the UK is continuing its wider social media restrictions pilot with 300 teenagers. The trial is testing different approaches, including full bans, one-hour caps, curfews and a control group, to understand how social media affects sleep, well-being, schoolwork and family life. At the same time, ministers are consulting on broader options, including a possible under-16 social media ban, tighter age verification and limits on addictive design features.

A big power shift is underway in paid media. Meta is forecast to overtake Google in global ad revenue in 2026 for the first time. Emarketer has reported that Meta is expected to generate $243.46bn in global ad revenue this year, just ahead of Google’s $239.54bn, giving Meta 26.8% of global ad spend versus Google’s 26.4%.

Meta’s momentum has been driven by the continued rise of Reels, stronger AI-powered ad automation, and better performance tools across Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp. Meta says its AI recommendation system boosted Reels watch time in the US by more than 30% year on year, helping it serve more ads, while Reels itself is reportedly on track to generate $50bn over the next 12 months.

A new Pearson/AWS report points to a growing disconnect between what universities think they are delivering and what employers say they actually need from graduates in an AI-shaped labour market. While 78% of higher education leaders believe their institutions are meeting employer expectations, only 28% of employers say universities are keeping up with AI-driven change, and 53% say their biggest challenge is finding graduates with the right AI skills.

The issue is not just technical literacy. The report argues that AI is changing entry-level roles so quickly that universities are struggling to keep pace with the demands of the workplace. Employers are looking for a more balanced mix of capabilities: practical AI tool use, yes, but also communication, collaboration, adaptability, judgement and the ability to evaluate AI outputs critically. In fact, only 14% of current graduates say they have reached a high level of proficiency in using AI tools in a professional setting, despite much higher rates of everyday AI use in academic work.

The deeper takeaway is that access to AI does not equal readiness. The report highlights “frictions” in pace, faculty capability, governance, employer connection and hands-on experience that are slowing universities down. That matters because AI readiness is quickly becoming part of the student value proposition. Institutions that can clearly show how they build applied AI skills, not just AI awareness, will be in a much stronger position when talking to prospective students, parents and employers alike.

Two new YouTube developments point in the same direction: the platform is expanding beyond video search and becoming a more flexible discovery and advertising environment.

First, YouTube is testing “Ask YouTube”, a conversational search feature for Premium users in the US. Instead of returning a standard list of videos, it can generate structured answers, combine long-form videos, Shorts and text, and respond to follow-up questions. In practice, that means YouTube is moving closer to an AI-assisted research experience, where users can explore topics interactively rather than just browse results.

Brazil wants a bigger role in a more multipolar market

Brazil is trying to reposition itself as a key player in global higher education, with the Brazilian Association for International Education (FAUBAI) arguing the country can act as a bridge between the global North and South. The timing makes sense, with student flows moving beyond the traditional “big four”, Brazil sees an opening to raise its international profile. Its pitch is strong on research, regional ties and affordability (including free study at many public universities and scholarships at postgraduate level), but awareness remains low, and language is still a barrier. The bigger message is that Brazil is no longer thinking about internationalisation purely as outbound mobility, but as a broader, more strategic form of cooperation.

Germany is recruiting talent, not just students

Germany is doubling down on international education as part of a much bigger workforce strategy. With 19.5 million people expected to retire by 2036 and only 12 million entering the labour market, international students are being treated as future skilled migrants rather than just fee-payers. That is helping Germany stand out at a time when other major destinations feel more restrictive. Its appeal lies in relatively low costs, predictable post-study pathways, and growing numbers of English-taught degrees. The bigger takeaway is that Germany is becoming one of the clearest examples of a destination where higher education, migration and labour market strategy are tightly joined up.