The “Online Safety Amendment Bill 2024” imposes hefty penalties of up to AUD 50 million (USD 32 million) on social media companies that fail to verify the ages of their users. Yet, the bill remains vague about the methods platforms should use to enforce compliance, leaving room for potential misuse of sensitive data.

Biometric Verification Raises Alarms

Although the legislation bars platforms from collecting personal information like government-issued IDs for age verification, it does not preclude the use of biometric systems. This could include facial recognition scans to confirm user identity—a prospect that has drawn widespread criticism.

Elon Musk, on his platform X, labeled the bill a covert mechanism for mass internet control. Free speech advocate Michael Shellenberger compared it to a dystopian system akin to China’s digital ID infrastructure, describing the law as «a Trojan horse for totalitarian oversight.»

Supporters of the legislation argue that the biometric approach is secure and ensures robust privacy protections. The bill mandates that any data collected for verification purposes must be destroyed immediately after use. However, enforcement mechanisms remain unclear, with potential requirements for ongoing user monitoring, such as periodic facial scans, to prevent age-restricted users from bypassing controls.

Scope and Exemptions

The legislation’s imprecise wording also leaves its reach ambiguous. Social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and Snapchat are explicitly targeted, but YouTube, deemed more educational, is likely to be exempt. This distinction raises questions about consistency in the application of the law.

Communications Minister Michelle Rowland emphasized the need for such measures to protect children from harmful online content but acknowledged the bill’s hurried passage left details unresolved.

Digital Freedoms in the Crosshairs

Australia’s bold step comes amidst broader debates over internet governance. Earlier this year, the government shelved a controversial “Misinformation and Disinformation Bill” after facing bipartisan opposition. Critics of that proposal highlighted its potential to stifle free speech by granting authorities wide-ranging powers to decide what constitutes “false” information.

Uncharted Territory

With the Online Safety Amendment Bill set to take effect late next year, Australia is entering uncharted territory in balancing youth safety with privacy and freedom. As global eyes turn to the legislation’s rollout, its success—or failure—could influence similar efforts worldwide.

For now, the question remains: Can this pioneering law safeguard children without infringing on the rights and liberties of millions of users? The world is watching to find out.

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A Call for Responsibility 

The Pope encouraged the Federation to continue its dual mission of managing the sport of motorcycling and promoting international representation while prioritizing road safety education. Highlighting the organization’s commitment to teaching traffic laws in schools, he applauded their efforts to equip future generations with the knowledge to navigate roads responsibly.

«Awareness of traffic regulations isn’t just about compliance; it’s about protecting lives,» Pope Francis said, pointing to the Federation’s potential to inspire safer behavior both on and off the track.

 Addressing a Tragic Reality 

The Pope’s call comes against the backdrop of alarming traffic accident statistics, many involving young drivers. He noted that ignorance or disregard of safety rules not only endangers the riders themselves but also poses significant risks to others.

“These accidents often leave families and communities shattered,” Francis said, underscoring the urgency of instilling safety-conscious attitudes early in life.

Education as a Lifesaving Investment 

Pope Francis described efforts to educate the public about road safety as an «investment in life.» He stressed that dedicating time and resources to such initiatives serves a broader purpose: preserving the lives of countless individuals.

“Every moment spent raising awareness about road safety is a moment spent saving lives,” he affirmed, urging continued vigilance and commitment to this cause.

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***

At the end of the liturgical year, the Church celebrates the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the universe. This celebration invites us to look towards him, the Lord, the source and fulfilment of all things (cf. Col 1:16-17), whose “kingdom shall not be destroyed” (Dan 7:14).

As we contemplate Christ the King, we are uplifted and moved. However, what we see around us is quite different, and this contrast may make disturbing questions arise in our hearts. What are we to make of so many wars, the ongoing violence and natural disasters? What can be said about the many problems that you, dear young people, must face as you look towards the future: the scarcity of job opportunities, uncertainty about the state of the economy, the rise of inequalities that polarize our society? Why is all this happening? And how can we avoid being overwhelmed? It is true that these are challenging questions but they are important ones.

Today, as the Church celebrates World Youth Day, I would like to encourage you to reflect, in the light of the Word of God, on three ideas that can help us face these challenges courageously. These three ideas are: accusations, approval and truth.

First: accusations.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus is being accused (cf. Jn 18:33-37). He is, as they say, “on the witness stand” in court. Pilate, an official of the Roman Empire, is questioning Jesus. This can be taken as an image representing all the powers that have violently oppressed peoples throughout the course of history. Although Pilate personally had no interest in Jesus, he also knew that the people followed him, believing him to be a guide, a teacher, the Messiah. The procurator could not allow any disturbance or turmoil threaten the “forced peace” of his district, so he resolved to placate the powerful enemies of this defenceless prophet. He put Jesus on trial and threatened to condemn him to death. The Lord, who had always preached justice, mercy and forgiveness, was not afraid. He did not allow himself to be intimidated; he did not rebel. Jesus was faithful to the truth he proclaimed, faithful to the point of sacrificing his life.

Dear young people, perhaps you also feel “accused” at times for following Jesus. At school, or among your friends and acquaintances, some may try to make you think that your faithfulness to the Gospel and its values is a mistake, because it keeps you from conforming to the crowd and blending in. Do not be afraid of their “condemnations”! Have no worries; sooner or later, their criticism will fall through, their condemnations will prove false, and their superficial values will be revealed for what they are: illusions. Dear young people, be careful not to get carried away by illusions. Please be concrete because reality is concrete. Beware of illusions.

What endures, as Christ teaches us, is quite different: the work of love. That is what remains and makes life beautiful! The rest will fade away. Love is made concrete in works. Therefore, I repeat: do not be afraid of the “condemnations” of the world. Keep on loving! But love according to the light of the Lord; by giving your life to help others.

This brings us to the second point: approval.

Jesus says: “My kingdom is not of this world” (Jn 18:36). What does Jesus mean by this statement? “My kingdom is not of this world”. Why does he not do anything to ensure his success, to garner up the support of the authorities, to get approval for his programme? Why does he not do it? How can he expect to change things if he has been “defeated”? Jesus behaves in this way because he rejects the mentality of power (cf. Mk 10:42-45). Jesus is free from it!

Dear young people, you too would do well to follow his example. Do not allow yourself to be dragged along by the need to be seen, approved of and praised. Those who get caught up in this frenzy experience anxiety. They end up pushing others around, falling into rivalries, being disingenuous, giving into peer pressure and compromising just to gain a bit of recognition and visibility. Please be careful, your dignity is not for sale. It is not for sale! Be careful.

God loves you just as you are, and not as you appear. Before him, the innocence of your dreams are worth more than success and fame, and the sincerity of your intentions are worth more than worldly approval. Do not be deceived by those who seek to lure you with vain promises, but only want to manipulate you and use you for their own interests.

Beware of being exploited. Be careful not to be conditioned. Be free, but free in harmony with your dignity. Do not settle for being “stars for a day” on social media or in any other context! I recall an occasion when a young woman wanted to be noticed, even though she was pretty, she put on all her make-up before going to the party. I thought, “after the make-up, what is left?” Do not put make-up over your soul and do not put make-up over your heart. Be as you are: sincere and transparent. Do not be ‘stars for a day’ on social media or in any other context. You are called to shine in a wider sky. In heaven, the infinite love of the Father is reflected in many little lights. His love is revealed in us through the faithful affection between spouses, the innocent joy of children, the enthusiasm of young people, caring for the elderly, the generosity of consecrated persons, the charity shown towards the poor and the honesty upheld in work environments. Think of the things that will make you strong. These little lights of: the faithful affection of spouses – a beautiful thing -; the innocent joy of children – this is a beautiful joy! -; the enthusiasm of young people – be enthusiastic, all of you! -; and care for the elderly. I ask you: do you care for the elderly? Do you visit your grandparents? Be generous in your lives and charitable to the poor, and hones in your work. This is the true firmament where we shine like stars in the world (cf. Phil 2:15). Please do not listen to those who lie to you! No approval you receive can save the world or make you happy. Only the free gift of love can bring us happiness. What saves the world is the free gift of love. Love cannot be bought, it cannot be sold: it is gratuitous, it is a giving of oneself.

This brings us to the third point: truth.

Christ came into the world “to bear witness to the truth” (Jn 18:37), and he did so by teaching us to love God and our brothers and sisters (cf. Mt 22:34-40; 1 Jn 4:6-7). Only in love does our existence find light and meaning (cf. 1 Jn 2:9-11). Otherwise, we remain prisoners of a great lie. What is this big lie? That of self-sufficiency, the ‘I’ that is self-sufficient (cf. Gen 3:4-5). This type of selfishness is the root of all injustice and unhappiness. It is the ‘I’ that turns in on itself – I, me, with me, always ‘me’ – and it does not have the ability to see others or to talk to them. Beware of this disease of the ‘I’ turned in on itself.

Christ, who is the way, the truth and the life (cf. Jn 14:6), by stripping himself of everything and dying on the cross for our salvation, teaches us that only in love can we live, grow and flourish in our full dignity (cf. Eph 4:15-16). Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati — a young man like you — once wrote to a friend, saying that, without love we no longer live, but we simply get by (cf. Letter to Isidoro Bonini, 27 February 1925). We want to live, not just get by. That is why we must strive to bear witness to the truth in charity, loving one another as Jesus taught us (cf. Jn 15:12).

Sisters and brothers, it is not true, as some think, that world events have “escaped” God’s control. It is not true that history is written by oppressors, tyrants and the proud. Although many of the evils that afflict us are the work of men who have been deceived by the Evil One, everything is ultimately subject to the judgement of God. Those who oppress people, who make wars, what will their faces look like when they stand before the Lord? “Why did you start that war? Why did you commit murder?” How will they respond? Let us think about that, and about us too. We do not start wars and we do not kill, but I did commit this or that sin. When the Lord will say to us, “But why did you do this? Why have you been unjust in this way? Why did you spend money on your vanity?” The Lord will also ask us these things. The Lord gives us freedom, but he does not abandon us. He corrects us when we fall, but he never ceases to love us. If we wish, he picks us up so we can continue our journey with joy.

At the end of this Eucharist, the Portuguese youth will entrust to the Korean youth the symbols of WYD: the cross and the icon of Mary Salus Populi Romani. This, too, is a sign. It is an invitation to all of us to live out the Gospel and take it to every part of the world, without stopping, without being discouraged, getting up after every fall and never ceasing to hope. Indeed, the theme of the message for today’s celebration is: “Those who hope in the Lord shall run and not be weary” (cf. Is 40:31). You, young Koreans, will receive the Cross of Our Lord, the Cross of life, the sign of victory, but you are not alone: you will receive it along with our Mother. It is Mary who always accompanies us on our journey towards Jesus. It is Mary who in difficult moments is beside our Cross to help us, because she is our Mother, she is mum. Keep Mary in mind.

Let us keep our gaze fixed on Jesus, on his Cross and on Mary, our Mother. In this way, even throughout our difficulties, we will find the strength to go forward, without fear of accusations, without the need for approval, based on your own dignity, with your own security of being saved and being accompanied by Mother Mary. Without making compromises and without spiritual make-up. Your dignity needs no make-up. Let us go forward, happy to live for others, to be in love, and to be witnesses of the truth. Please do not lose your joy. Thank you.

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Celebration of Youthful Holiness

The canonizations will spotlight the vitality of youth within the Church. Carlo Acutis, often called the «influencer of holiness,» will be canonized during the “Teenagers’ Jubilee” from April 25 to 27. Known for his deep love of the Eucharist and expertise in computer science, the young Italian left a legacy of faith expressed in modern ways.

Pier Giorgio Frassati, a Turin-born student, alpinist, and advocate for the poor, will follow during the “Youth Jubilee” from July 28 to August 3. Often referred to as the «man of the Beatitudes,» Frassati lived a life rooted in prayer, service, and joy—a testament to faith as an adventure. His canonization comes a century after his death, continuing to inspire generations to live with courage and compassion.

A Day for the Children of the World

The announcement coincided with the International Day for the Rights of the Child, where Pope Francis also introduced a major upcoming event: the “World Meeting on Children’s Rights”. Scheduled for February 3 in Vatican City, the gathering will bring together experts, activists, and global leaders to address the plight of children suffering from war, exploitation, and neglect.

In a touching moment during the audience, children in yellow caps, representing various Catholic schools and peace organizations, rushed to greet the Pope on the basilica’s steps. Their joyful interaction underscored the urgency of protecting young lives. «The future of the world lies with the smallest among us,» the Pope remarked, highlighting the Church’s ongoing commitment to safeguarding the dignity of every child.

Holiness in Action: The Lives of Acutis and Frassati

Carlo Acutis, who passed away in 2006 at just 15, gained widespread recognition for creating an online catalog of Eucharistic miracles. His bishop in Assisi, Domenico Sorrentino, called him “a ray of light for young people” and noted the providential timing of his canonization during the Jubilee, which celebrates renewal and hope.

Pier Giorgio Frassati, who died at 24 in 1925, left a legacy of service that resonated deeply even in his short life. A member of Catholic Action and other faith-based groups, he balanced rigorous spiritual devotion with an adventurous spirit. Saint John Paul II, who beatified him in 1990, described him as a model for those striving to integrate faith and action.

Resonating with the Modern World

The Church views these two saints as bridges to contemporary youth. Acutis and Frassati exemplify a faith that is not confined to the past but thrives in digital innovation and social responsibility. Their canonizations aim to inspire young Catholics to see holiness as accessible and relevant.

In a statement, Catholic Action Italy celebrated Frassati’s legacy, emphasizing his ability to counter apathy with a life of dynamic engagement. “His rule of life, ‘to get involved,’ is a call against indifference—a way to connect with the world through faith and action,” the group wrote.

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During the meeting, Pope Francis emphasized the importance of the Uniservitate program from the Latin American Center for Service-Learning (CLAYSS), stating that “Uniservitate responds in a consistent way to the intentions of the Global Compact on Education by cultivating educational processes that involve everyone.” He continued: “An African proverb that states it takes an entire village to educate a child. Let us make every effort, then, to build such an `educational village´, where we can work together to promote positive and culturally fruitful human relationships.”

In relation to the idea that “we cannot change the world if we do not change education,” the Holy Father reflected that “it is interesting to see how Uniservitate has developed the pedagogical method of `service-learning´, by fostering a sense of communal responsibility on the part of students through social projects that are an integral part of their academic programme.”

Later, in another part of his speech and in line with the Uniservitate proposal, Pope Francis emphasized that “education is not only through the mind, but through the heart and the hands.” In contrast, he pointed out that “ideologies do not make us grow. Every type of ideology is the enemy of maturation.”

As part of the private audience with the Holy Father, the students presented him with posters summarizing the winning service-learning projects of the Uniservitate 2024 Award. Meanwhile, María Nieves Tapia, director of the Latin American Center for Service-Learning (CLAYSS), took the opportunity during the meeting to present the Pope with a copy of Solidarity as the Future of Education, the first publication created jointly by the UNESCO Office for Latin America and the Caribbean and CLAYSS. This publication brings UNESCO’s statements on the future of education into dialogue with Ibero-American service-learning experiences.

Uniservitate, an Example of Educational Partnership

For his part, Cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonça, Prefect of the Dicastery for Culture and Education, reflected: “In addition to the indispensable theoretical reflection, action is also important, as it drives us to open ourselves to others and work together. The Uniservitate network is an example of an educational partnership, attentive to the richness of the cultural diversity of each people.” He made this statement during the V Symposium, while meeting with Uniservitate authorities and rectors from universities participating in the program that promotes service-learning in Catholic Higher Education Institutions. In this context, he told them: “This ‘service-learning’ methodology is not only concerned with the methodological and didactic aspects of learning but, above all, with the human aspect.” He added: “The pedagogical methodology of ‘Uniservitate’ addresses three other terms that have become an inseparable trio in Pope Francis’ educational vision: ‘mind-hands-heart.’”

Education as a Pathway to a More Fraternal and Solidary World

The V Global Symposium Uniservitate, which brought together prominent authorities, educators, researchers, and students from around the world to explore and share best practices in integrating service-learning (SL) into Catholic Higher Education Institutions, concluded yesterday in Rome.

At the closing of the event, a Mass was held for the entire Uniservitate team at St. Peter’s Basilica, presided over by Monsignor Paul Tighe, Secretary of the Dicastery for Culture and Education.

Reflecting on the V Symposium, María Rosa Tapia, Coordinator of the Uniservitate program, stated: “In this space, we have tried to show that it is possible to come together with all our differences, from all five continents, with our realities, with the wars each of us faces, to unite in a unique peace.” In this context, she expressed her hope that “it is that peace that will allow us to return to our universities, and, as Cardinal Tolentino de Mendonça told us, for our universities to be those ‘homes of the heart,’ where, by opening the doors to our students, by opening the doors to converse with other educators, by opening the doors of the rector’s office, by opening the doors of the university itself, it will be possible for us to truly meet.” At the end, she invited the members of Uniservitate to continue their mission and said: “The world needs us. So let us be those warriors of the human spirit, who continue to ignite the torch of peace and demonstrate that through education we can collaborate to create a truly more fraternal and solidary world.”

Over the course of two days, more than 200 people from 56 Catholic Higher Education Institutions participated in the event, held under the theme “Transforming Higher Education from Within.” “Service-learning is not just a practical task for students, it’s not only about offering a service to the community, it involves transforming the way we teach. Therefore, what we aim for is to transform the university from within, from the way we teach and conduct research,” stated María Nieves Tapia on the theme of this year’s Symposium.

The event also served as a space to share reflections on possible ways to institutionalize service-learning in Catholic Higher Education Institutions and deepened the discussion on the spirituality of service, exploring the connections between these themes.

The V Symposium, organized by Uniservitate and LUMSA University, also addressed the intersections between the Global Compact on Education, the Sustainable Development Goals, and best practices in service-learning, as well as presenting ongoing research.

Uniservitate Award 2024

The V Symposium was also the stage for students and educators from the winning projects of the Uniservitate 2024 Award to share their experiences. In this second edition of the Award, which recognizes the best service-learning initiatives in Catholic Higher Education Institutions worldwide, 311 projects from five continents were submitted. Of these, 14 were awarded first place, and another 14 received special mentions.

“Service-learning is not just about learning from the community; it’s a form of solidarity to transform the community,” said Caroline Nthenya, a student at Tangaza University and one of the winners of the Uniservitate Award. For her, “service-learning requires an open mind, because it’s not just about gaining benefits from the learning one receives as a student, but about sharing that knowledge to transform the community.”

The Uniservitate program is supported by the Porticus Foundation and the Latin American Center for Service-Learning (CLAYSS).

Those who wish to revisit the Symposium sessions can do so through the Uniservitate YouTube channel (in English) and the CLAYSS YouTube channel (in Spanish).

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In his address, the Pope highlighted the importance of forming bonds that embody the priesthood’s calling, urging seminarians to foster a deep sense of unity with God, their bishops, fellow clergy, and the faithful community. He underscored the need for these four dimensions of closeness, noting that a priest isolated from his bishop is “lame, missing something essential.”

Pope Francis further encouraged the seminarians to reflect on the tradition of the “Reserved Procession,” a historical ceremony marking the first reservation of the Holy Eucharist in their seminary’s chapel tabernacle. He linked its stages—the celebration of the Eucharist, a day-long Eucharistic adoration, and a concluding procession—with the foundations of priestly life. In each stage, he emphasized, priests are called to embody a self-giving love, deep communion with Christ, and an unwavering commitment to accompany the faithful.

During the dialogue, the seminarians were invited to share their thoughts and experiences, creating an atmosphere of fraternity and reflection. Pope Francis expressed his wish that their journey to priesthood be one of genuine devotion, marked by a living relationship with Christ, and an unwavering commitment to serve others.

***

Dear bishops,
Dear formators and staff of the Seminary,
Dear Seminarians,

I am pleased to meet a new group of seminarians who, like the confraternities in the towns of Spain, come in procession to this Mother Church, for a station of penance. Penance, or tourism?

This analogy came to my mind, first of all because it is always useful to look at the Holy People of God in their spirituality, their simple spirituality. You know that priests must be close, the must promote proximity. First, closeness with God, so that there may be capacity to encounter the Lord, to be close to the Lord. Second, closeness with bishops, and bishops close to priests. A priest who is not close to his bishop is “lame”, he is lacking something. Third, closeness among you priests, which already begins in the seminary, and fourth, closeness to the holy faithful people of God. Do not forget these four forms of proximity.

I know that in these days you are preparing for the procession of the “Reservado”. An ancient tradition that commemorates the first time the Blessed Sacrament was reservado, or rather conserved, in the Tabernacle of the chapel. Watch how you genuflect when you go, watch.

This interesting commemoration consists of three moments: the celebration of the Eucharist, the exposition of the Sacrament during the entire day, and finally the procession. These phases can serve to remind us of the fundamental elements of the priesthood for which you are preparing. First of all, the Eucharistic celebration. It is Jesus who comes into our life to give us the proof of the greatest love. He invites us, as Church, to make ourselves present in the priesthood and among the people, in the sacrament and in the Word. May having him on earth absorb your life and your heart.

Then, the Lord remains exposed in the monstrance all day long. It is a time to be alone with Him, to hear His voice in silence, in listening to the Word, in the witness of faith of those who pray beside us.  Only the person-to-person, loving encounter with Jesus can illuminate, maintain and sustain the course of our earthly day.  May this encounter truly be an effective impulse that transforms your existence.

Finally, carrying the Lord in procession, because we receive Him in order to carry Him: our ministry is to accompany Christ towards His people, and the people towards Christ. May you, without turning your gaze away from the One who judges us, learn to walk together in the hope of the encounter of which we already have a foretaste here in a sacramental way. Thank you.

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“Sport in Motion – What Is Essential Is Invisible to the Eyes” is the theme of the international photography competition, promoted by the Dicastery for Culture and Education in the framework of the Jubilee and directed by youths younger than 25. The competition includes five “categories”: “Sport and Hope”, “Sport and Family”, ”Sport and Ecology”, “Sport and Disability” and “Sport and Politics”.

Basis to Participate

Until April 30, any young person who wishes to participate can send unpublished photographs — not altered by using Artificial Intelligence and taken after 2020 — to the following e-mail address: sportinmotion@dce.va.

Participation is for free and open to all, including non-professionals. For additional information and the basis of the competition see the Webpage of the Dicastery for Culture and Education: www.dce.va.

The Winners Will Be Able to Meet Pope Francis

The 13 winning photographs (one for the theme Sport and Hope and three for each of the four categories)  will be made known on Saturday, June 14, on the occasion of the Sports Jubilee.

The winners will meet with the Holy Father, visit the Vatican Museums, specifically from the perspective of the artistic experience and will see their photographs disseminated through the Vatican media, pointed out the Dicastery. .

Statements of the Prefect of the Dicastery for Culture and Education

The objective of the competition is to join three words that are not always as close as they should be: sport-youth-art,” explained Cardinal José Tolentino Mendonça, Prefect of the Dicastery for Culture and Education. The initiative is proposed as “an artistic platform — photography — through which young people can have hope of and in sport ”living it as a place of hope,” manifesting as well “its educational dimension, the unity between culture and education.”

Hence, the competition is a proposal to young people, particularly implicated in the practice, language and images of sport so that they “become producers of art and not only consumers of art” and “can tell the reality through their eyes, seeing what the adults are not always able to see, showing the ”essential that is invisible to the eyes” (The Little Prince – Antoine de Saint-Exupéry).”

Specifically inserted in the central theme of “hope,” the competition’s four “categories” (family, ecology, disability and politics) propose a complete and multifaceted vision of the sports experience. Woven with values ​​embodied in human stories of redemption and fraternity, sacrifice and loyalty, team spirit and inclusion, as in an ever new Canticle of Creatures that is a proposal of peace, but also debilitated by “corruption, violence, doping and racism.”

Giovanni Zenoni: Godfather of the Competition

Giovani Zenoni, born in 2002, is a young sports and photography fan, who spends the greater part of his time behind a camera’s objective. Some of his shots were selected as sports photographs of the year in the categories of “Cycling” in 2022, “Aquatics” in 2023 and he received two special mentions in the category of “Winter Sports” in 2024. He was included among the 10 best “Youth Reporters Younger than 30” of the International Sports Press Association and won the “Promising Young Man“ prize of the National Union of Sports Veterans. He collaborates with various renown agencies and brands, and his photographs have already been published in the main national and international newspapers and magazines.

In addition to being the competition’s godfather, Giovanni Zenoni will form part of the jury of the same and will also take some photos on the occasion of the Sports Jubilee.

With information from the Dicastery for Culture and Education and Vatican Media

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(ZENIT News – The Daily Signal / USA, 11.06.2024).- As recently as two years ago, only three states banned surgeries on children to address gender dysphoria, up from just one a year earlier.

Today, exactly half the states have such bans, and more are considering them. The U.S. Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments in a Tennessee case challenging those bans on Dec. 4.

These procedures, advocates insist, almost never happen and are largely a myth concocted by the Right to scare people.

As the LGBTQ+ magazine Them put it, “Contrary to modern conservative propaganda, gender-affirming surgeries for minors are exceptionally rare.”

Similarly, the Human Rights Campaign rebuts what it alleges is a “concerted disinformation campaign” by declaring that with “rare exceptions,” “transgender and nonbinary people typically do not have gender-affirming surgeries before the age of 18.”

The Association of American Medical Colleges echoes that theme, asserting that this type of “surgery among youth is rare.”

But just how rare are these surgeries on children?

According to a new study by the medical advocacy group Do No Harm, 5,747 sex-change surgeries were performed on children in the U.S. between 2019 and 2023.

Given that there are about 12.5 million children between the ages of 15 and 17—the ages of minors who receive these surgeries—the annual rate of surgeries to remove and modify sex traits and organs on children works out to be 9.2 per 100,000.

That rate might sound very rare until you compare it to other rates involving children. For example, drowning kills about 0.8 per 100,000 young people between the ages of 14 and 17 each year. That means such deaths are about 1/11^th as common as gender surgeries among children of roughly the same ages.

But we don’t act as if drowning deaths among children are so rare as to be inconsequential. Instead, we devote significant resources to ensuring that lifeguards are present at beaches and pools. We push families to enroll their children in swimming lessons.

Indeed, the AAMC is so concerned about drowning deaths that it joined other organizations in crafting a letter earlier this year urging Congress to avoid cuts in funding to the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control that would “eliminate several key programs,” including “drowning prevention.”

The AAMC even cited increased drowning deaths as a reason to fight climate change, listing drowning as one of “the particular health risks that climate change poses to people in coastal areas.”

Yet that same organization wants you to believe that major surgeries that often destroy the sexual functions of children—a procedure 11 times more common among teenagers than drowning deaths—are “rare.”

The Do No Harm study identifies a “Dirty Dozen” set of hospitals that it considers the biggest promoters of sex-change procedures for children.

You might expect that most of the Dirty Dozen would be located in deep-blue liberal states, where there was the most interest from potential patients and the strongest support from state politicians. But both the No. 1 and No. 11 hospitals on Do No Harm’s Dirty Dozen list are located in the decidedly purple state of Pennsylvania.

The Children’s Hospital of Pennsylvania—ironically known by the acronym CHOP—is identified as the dirtiest of the Dirty Dozen and UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh comes in 11^th. Pennsylvania policymakers considered legislation to restrict insurance payment for these procedures, but officials at these two hospitals successfully opposed those efforts.

You can’t fool people forever. Eventually people realize that sex trait-modifying surgeries are happening on children in alarming numbers. And eventually people in purple states realize that their leading medical institutions are promoting procedures that run counter to their state’s values.

Pennsylvania may be among the dirtiest of the Dirty Dozen performing these ghoulish procedures on children, but that cannot last.

Eventually, policymakers there and in the rest of the states will end these barbaric practices, and it can go from allegedly “rare” to truly nonexistent.

Jay Greene is a senior research fellow in the Center for Education Policy at The Heritage Foundation.

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In a survey, published by Die Tagespost on October 11, young people wished that they had had another option and noted that the return to their own gender “is often associated with a lack of social and professional support.” They complained about the lack of information and resources, as well as interpersonal difficulties, identity problems and stigmatization through de-transphobia, as the return to one’s original sex is called.

The study consulted 2,689 people, who admitted being subjected to “complex emotions such as grief and guilt” or “discrimination and rejection,” struggling “with discrimination and rejection.”

The conclusion is striking that 26.7% of those interviewed had hoped for different support to the hormonal and surgical processes. 33% said they had been misinterpreted by the doctors and 46% subjected themselves to transgender treatment due to external pressures. Only 20% of those surveyed were satisfied with their physical change. 

Specialists said that young people need help in their search for meaning and identity, and suggested that medical professionals and psychologists should focus on recognizing complex experiences and emotions and emphasize attention to internal wounds caused by prejudices and social exclusion.

The researchers say that “instead of administering precipitously potentially damaging hormones, which generally lead to irreversible surgical interventions, an integral focus is necessary to do justice to the needs of those affected.” 

The research detected another problem reported long ago, in the relation of dysphoria with previous psychological problems, frequently eluded by the majority of professionals. Gender affirmation is neglected, as 53% of those polled expressed. 

The pharmaceutical publication Ârzteblatt reported in 2022 that 67% of boys and 76% of girls in Germany received at least a different mental health diagnosis, such as depression or borderline disorders, related to their sexual identity. 

The recent study shows that the diagnosis of “gender identity disorder” occurs eight times more often among young people of 5 to 24 years of age in Germany than ten years ago, whereas only one third of diagnoses are carried out between young people from 15 to 24 years old. Adolescent girls are particularly affected. 

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Fear of War and Poverty Grows

One of the Report’s most striking findings is the dramatic increase of concern over a possible war in Europe. In 2019 only 46% of German young people feared this possibility; in 2024 this fear increased to 81%, reflecting a growing global uncertainty and the proximity of the conflict in Ukraine. The threat of poverty has also gained ground, with 67% of young people expressing fear over their economic future. 

Religious Faith in Decline

A profound change highlighted by the study is the constant diminution of the importance of faith in God among Christian young people, especially among Catholics. Whereas in 2002, 51% of young Catholics considered faith in God as fundamental in their lives, in 2024 only 38% thought so. The tendency is similar among Protestant young people, reflecting a growing disengagement with traditional beliefs. 

In contrast, faith among Muslim young people continues being solid and is even increasing. For 79% of Muslim young people, faith in God is crucial, and many of them integrated it in their daily life through practices such as frequent prayer. This contrast underscores a phenomenon of cultural and religious integration, whereas faith in Christian religious institutions is weakening.

Crisis of Identity or Evolution?

Not only does the study show a moving away from religion, but also a growing mistrust of religious institutions. German young people show more trust in the Government, the European Union and even banks than in Churches. This change reflects a transformation in the values of youth, who seem to be looking for answers in other realms, such as politics and social activism. 

The loss of religious faith notwithstanding, German young people are more committed politically than in previous years. 51% of them are actively informed about political topics, a figure that has increased significantly from the 36% registered in 2019. Young people are more pragmatic and, although many are disenchanted with traditional institutions, they haven’t lost hope in improving the society through activism and civic commitment. 

Divided Opinions on Germany’s Role in the World

German young people also show a critical attitude of their country’s position on international conflicts. Although two-thirds of those surveyed support NATO and condemn Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, support for German military intervention isn’t unanimous. Moreover, the conflict between Israel and Gaza reveals more profound divisions, influenced by the cultural and religious origin of young people. 

Whereas one third of young people think that Germany has a special responsibility towards Israel, another third doesn’t agree. This debate is seen clearly influenced by migratory antecedents: young people of Arab or Turkish origin are the ones that least support the idea of Germany’s  special obligation towards Israel. 

A Future Marked by Diversity

Shell’s Youth Study reflects how German young people live in an era of uncertainty and change, in which traditional faith loses relevance; however, other forms of commitment, such as politics and activism, gain prominence. In this context, young Muslims are noticeable not only for their rootedness in their faith, but also for their desire to form families, in contrasted with young people without religious affiliation, who show less interest in having children. 

The challenge for future generations will be to balance the pragmatism that growing economic and social concerns exact, with the capacity to find new meaning and values that guide their decisions. Although in decline for many, religion continues to be a refuge for some groups, which reflects the growing diversity of a youth seeking its place in a changing world. 

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