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Vogue Singapore
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Vogue Singapore
Inside Demi Lovato and Jordan 'Jutes' Lutes's wedding at a historic estate in Santa Barbara
It's official: Musician and actor Demi Lovato and artist and songwriter Jordan 'Jutes' Lutes are married. The couple said their vows in front of 135 friends and family at the Bellosguardo Estate in Santa Barbara on Sunday, May 25. 'Once we saw the venue, we both knew without any doubt this was where we wanted to get married,' the Disney alum and director of Child Star shares. 'The location is just so beautiful, from the rolling green grass to the view of the ocean. It was calming, serene, and felt right.' The two met in January 2022 during a studio writing session for Demi's most recent album, and Jordan proposed just under two years later in December 2023. For the proposal, Jordan surprised Demi, bringing her to a room in the house that he'd filled with roses, candles, and butterflies suspended from the ceiling. He then performed a song he'd written, showcasing the fact that he'd taught himself how to play the guitar in the lead up to the proposal just so he could sing the song for Demi. The couple worked with celebrity event planner extraordinaire Mindy Weiss to orchestrate every element of their wedding weekend. 'Planning the wedding has been a lot of fun,' Demi admits. 'It feels like we were waiting for Christmas morning each and every day leading up to the main event.' The festivities kicked off on Saturday night with a rehearsal and dinner at Arnoldi's Cafe in Santa Barbara. At this event, the bride-to-be wore a strapless Monique Lhuillier dress with a slit. Weiss directed the bridal party throughout the service, and after the run-through, the group enjoyed an intimate dinner before calling it an early evening. The next day the weather was uncharacteristically overcast for southern California, but about 30 minutes before the bride and groom were set to walk down the aisle at 4 p.m., the sun came out and lit up the sky. For the ceremony, the bride wore a pearl white Vivienne Westwood dress with a corset and dramatic draped neckline. 'I've been a fan of Vivienne Westwood for so long,' Demi says. 'I love the way that they designed the dress, it feels perfect and makes me feel so confident in my body.' The design process began with an inspiration image of a Westwood gown that Demi found online, and then the Vivienne Westwood couture team traveled from London to LA to create the dress over the course of five fittings. Stylist Jill Jacobs collaborated with the bride on her entire wedding weekend wardrobe. 'Demi was a vision—and each look perfectly reflected different aspects of her beauty and personality,' Jill explains. 'There's something uniquely special about styling someone's forever moment.' Meanwhile, Jordan wore Saint Laurent for the ceremony. 'He fit a bunch of other suits, but we both really loved the way the YSL suit fit and looked, it was the clear choice,' Demi notes. The bridesmaids wore dresses by Birdy Grey, while the groomsmen were in suits by Hugo Boss. 'The ceremony was full of love,' Demi remembers. 'We were married by our good friend Dave Osokow, and he made it so personal. It was as if each and every person at the wedding was a part of a big family all celebrating with us. Looking into each other's eyes, all I was thinking was how lucky we are to spend this lifetime with each other.' Up at the altar, the couple couldn't decide who should go first when it came time to recite their vows, so they played a quick game of Rock Paper Scissors. 'We tied at first, and then Jordan won, so I went first,' Demi says. For Demi, the ceremony was the culmination of so much. 'I just felt loved,' she says. 'All that life has brought me to this moment, and it was more than worth it. It was so special being able to marry my best friend, my soulmate, and the love of my life. It's hard to put into words what Jordan means to me. To find a love like this has completed my life in so many ways. We both put the work into ourselves first to be ready and open to share a life together, and I think that is a really important part of our relationship. We don't complete each other as we did the work to complete ourselves first—and I think that's a really important thing to do.' After the ceremony, the newlyweds took a moment to just be together. 'We wanted to soak in that we were officially husband and wife and then joined our guests for dinner and lots of dancing,' Demi says. 'I feel ready to start our lives together. And I have to say that there is not one single thing I would have changed about the wedding.' 'I'm so excited to start this life with my soulmate,' Jordan adds. 'It feels like we've been married forever and now we officially are. I'm excited to do life with my best friend. To be able to wake up with Demi, to be surrounded by her infectious laugh, her playful spirit, and her loving heart is a true gift and one that I don't take for granted.' The newlyweds posed for post-ceremony portraits with their photographer Jose Villa, while guests made their way into the extravagant reception tent created by Town & Country. For the reception, Demi changed into an ivory silk satin column dress with a draped corset top, also by Vivienne Westwood. 'There was so much attention to detail on the reception dress beading,' Demi says. Inside the tent, florals were by Celio's Designs and there was a one-of-a-kind custom mocktail bar created by Mixology by Melissa. 'We loved the floral details in the ice cubes as well as the photo of us atop the espresso mocktail martinis,' Demi says. 'They were so creative!' For the couple's first dance, Johnny Rzeznik from the Goo Goo Dolls performed 'Iris.' 'It was surreal,' Demi remembers. 'This was a pinch-us moment. It's our favourite song and has so much meaning to both of us.' After thanking guests for attending, the newlyweds cut into their four-tiered wedding cake by Room for Cake in Santa Barbara. 'We chose lemon cake as it's Jordan's and my favorite,' Demi shares. Then, for the after-party, the bride changed into a custom Lapointe suit and Jimmy Choo heels, followed by a short off-the-shoulder send-off look custom-made by Idan Cohen with Gianvito Rossi heels. (All of Demi's jewellery over the weekend was by XIV Karats.) Later in the night, when the couple's close friend Paris Hilton took over the DJ booth, the party really got started. 'Paris literally shook the dance floor with her DJ skills,' Demi says. 'And I mean the entire floor moved with her beats.' (Guests also took their pictures in a photo booth by MirMir.) At the end of the night, the newlyweds ran through a sparkler tunnel formed by their guests and hopped into a vintage white Cadillac before speeding off into the Santa Barbara night. Jose Villa 1 / 100 That moment before we rehearsed for the real thing Jose Villa 2 / 100 Looking back before we look forward Jose Villa 3 / 100 Love this tablescape: the colours, the flowers, and more Jose Villa 4 / 100 My love, for always and forever Jose Villa 5 / 100 The bridal party Jose Villa 6 / 100 Filled with joy at the rehearsal dinner listening to speeches. This was me crying when Matthew Scott Montgomery spoke. Jose Villa 7 / 100 Dessert—our cake was by Room for Cake in Santa Barbara Jose Villa 8 / 100 Mi famiglia Jose Villa 9 / 100 We all got crayons to write notes on the table Jose Villa 10 / 100 Picture-perfect night under the stars Jose Villa 11 / 100 Our first dance practice—by the way, we nailed it at the wedding Jose Villa 12 / 100 Leaving Arnoldi's Cafe on the eve before we became husband and wife Jose Villa 13 / 100 Our rings Jose Villa 14 / 100 I loved my Vivienne Westwood dresses for the wedding and reception. I have been a fan of her designs for so long. Jose Villa 15 / 100 It's the little details Jose Villa 16 / 100 One of the first moments I saw the dress come to life Jose Villa 17 / 100 The draping and corset work is exceptional, which is why Vivienne Westwood was the perfect choice. Jose Villa 18 / 100 The dress was created over the course of five fittings in Los Angeles, with the Vivienne Westwood couture team flying in from London. Jose Villa 19 / 100 We were not only able to work off of an initial inspiration image I found, but we also added touches that really make this dress so special to me. Jose Villa 20 / 100 When I was thinking about the style of dress I wanted, I often found myself coming back to Vivienne's designs—specifically how the silhouettes really compliment the curves in your body, and her use of corsets. Jose Villa 21 / 100 I finished off the look with a cathedral-style veil made with ivory tulle. Jose Villa 22 / 100 The venue was so surreal and had so much mystery. I love this shot. Jose Villa 23 / 100 This was the moment right before I walked down the aisle. I am so thankful for everyone on my team that helped make this moment happen. My makeup was by Etienne Ortega and my hair was by Cesar Ramirez. Jose Villa 24 / 100 Walking to the ceremony Jose Villa 25 / 100 A final bridal portrait moment before the service began Jose Villa 26 / 100 Last looks Jose Villa 27 / 100 Ready to walk down the aisle Jose Villa 28 / 100 My friends that are family—they mean the world to me Jose Villa 29 / 100 All the finishing touches Jose Villa 30 / 100 My entire bridal party—these are the amazing souls that have always stood by me. It was an honour having them stand with me on this special day. Jose Villa 31 / 100 Wow. This shot by Jose Villa took my breath away. Thank you, Vivienne Westwood, for the most beautiful dress. Jose Villa 32 / 100 Jordan's look by YSL, waiting to be worn Jose Villa 33 / 100 The love of my life. My soul mate Jose Villa 34 / 100 Event planner Mindy Weiss and her team oversaw all of the weekend's festivities. Jose Villa 35 / 100 Friends arriving for the ceremony Jose Villa 36 / 100 Natalie Minerva Jose Villa 37 / 100 Guests gathering before the ceremony Jose Villa 38 / 100 Rayvon Owen Jose Villa 39 / 100 Capturing a true moment filled with emotion and love Jose Villa 40 / 100 'Waiting for the future to begin, although she has felt like my wife from the moment I met her.' —Jordan Jose Villa 41 / 100 On the way to becoming Mrs. Lutes Jose Villa 42 / 100 We were married by our good friend Dave Osokow, and he made it so personal. Jose Villa 43 / 100 A game of Rock Paper Scissors was the only way to determine who got to say their vows first. We tied and then Jordan won. Jose Villa 44 / 100 Logan loving us as she always has Jose Villa 45 / 100 My vows Jose Villa 46 / 100 And we are officially Mr. and Mrs Jose Villa 47 / 100 It was as if each and every person at the wedding was part of a big family all celebrating with us. Jose Villa 48 / 100 A moment alone post-ceremony Jose Villa 49 / 100 Making our exit Jose Villa 50 / 100 It was all so surreal, but this was the moment when we both knew we had married our best friend. Jose Villa 51 / 100 A shot from above Jose Villa 52 / 100 Our seating card setup Jose Villa 53 / 100 Paris in the house—a great friend who literally shook the dance floor later that night. Jose Villa 54 / 100 Cocktail hour begins Jose Villa 55 / 100 Vas Morgan Jose Villa 56 / 100 Once we saw the Bellosguardo Estate in Santa Barbara, we both knew without any doubt this was where we wanted to get married. Jose Villa 57 / 100 Our entire bridal party. We had our spray tans done by Isabel Alysa, the founder and CEO of Dolce Glow. I've worked with Isabel for a long time. She gave all of us a custom Dolce Glow hydrating blend spray tan that was literally made for each one of us individually. Jose Villa 58 / 100 A bridal-party portrait Jose Villa 59 / 100 Having fun post-ceremony Jose Villa 60 / 100 The tribe Jose Villa 61 / 100 Me and Paris Jose Villa 62 / 100 Making our way to the reception Jose Villa 63 / 100 Pre-reception portraits Jose Villa 64 / 100 Walking through the Bellosguardo Estate gardens Jose Villa 65 / 100 Just married Jose Villa 66 / 100 The tablescape design inside the tent Jose Villa 67 / 100 Florals were by Celio's Designs Jose Villa 68 / 100 All of our paper products were by Lehr and Black Jose Villa 69 / 100 Celebrating with my bandmates: Nita Strauss, Constance Day, Brittany Bowman, and Leanne Bowes Jose Villa 70 / 100 Guests mingling outside of our tent by Town & Country Jose Villa 71 / 100 An aerial view of the Bellosguardo Estate Jose Villa 72 / 100 For the reception, I changed into an ivory silk satin column dress, with a draped corset top, also by Vivienne Westwood. Jose Villa 73 / 100 There was so much attention to detail on the reception dress beading. Jose Villa 74 / 100 Johnny Rzeznik performing 'Iris' was a surreal moment. It's our favorite song and has so much meaning to both of us. This was a pinch-us moment. Thank you, Johnny! Jose Villa 75 / 100 Our first dance Jose Villa 76 / 100 Ending our first dance with a bang Jose Villa 77 / 100 Demi Sims and Chloe Nakhjavanpourtalebi Jose Villa 78 / 100 Thanking our guests for being such a special part of our day. Jose Villa 79 / 100 Soaking in the speeches and the night with a quiet moment for just us. Jose Villa 80 / 100 Our four-tiered wedding cake was by Room for Cake in Santa Barbara Jose Villa 81 / 100 The drinks were by Mixology by Melissa Jose Villa 82 / 100 The glam fam: Alyx Liu, Jill Powell, Natalie Minerva, Etienne Ortega, and Cesar Ramirez Jose Villa 83 / 100 Town & Country created the most extraordinary tent Jose Villa 84 / 100 Our checkerboard dance floor was the work of Trejo Dance Floors Jose Villa 85 / 100 A closer look at the beadwork on my Vivienne Westwood reception dress. Jose Villa 86 / 100 Cutting our cake Jose Villa 87 / 100 Sharing first bites Jose Villa 88 / 100 Ready to party Jose Villa 89 / 100 The lighting was by Lighten Up. As a performing artist, I know just how important setting a mood or vibe is, believe it or not it's often the things that aren't as obvious or noticeable that make or break a moment, and that is why lighting was a key part of this night, especially as we moved further into the evening and hit the dance floor. Jose Villa 90 / 100 A happy moment on the dance floor Jose Villa 91 / 100 Vas on the dance floor Jose Villa 92 / 100 Paris literally shook the dance floor with her DJ skills, and I mean the entire floor moved with her beats. Jose Villa 93 / 100 Dancing as husband and wife Jose Villa 94 / 100 My second after-party look Jose Villa 95 / 100 Back on the dance floor! Jose Villa 96 / 100 Surrounded by loved ones Jose Villa 97 / 100 A kiss among the sparklers Jose Villa 98 / 100 Making our way towards a final surprise Jose Villa 99 / 100 A vintage moment Jose Villa 100 / 100 The end of the most magical day of our lives This story was originally published on
Daily Mail
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Former Lizzie McGuire actress looks unrecognizable after quitting acting to join the army
Carly Schroeder became a massive sensation when she was cast in the beloved Disney Channel series Lizzie McGuire more than two decades ago. She was only 11 years old when she joined the show, playing Melina Bianco, the best friend-turned romantic interest of Lizzie's younger brother Matt. Their relationship completely captivated audiences, and seeing them scheme up evil plans to mess with Lizzie together was one of the best parts of the show. But now, 22 years after her time in Lizzie McGuire, Carly looks very different. The former Disney child star, now 34, quit acting in 2019 to join the army, and she has completely left the spotlight since then. She hardly ever posts on social media, but on the rare occasion that she does share snaps of herself online, her content is usually focused on her endeavors in the military. One of her most recent posts show her wearing a camo uniform and holding a gun. Another features her chowing down a burger with a massive cut on her eye and dirt all over her face. It's certainly a far cry from her former life in the spotlight, where her days were filled with glittering soirees and A-list events. She was only 11 years old when she joined the show, playing Melina Bianco, the best friend-turned romantic interest of Lizzie's younger brother Matt Carly entered the industry when she was only three years old after she caught the attention of a casting director while attending an audition with her older cousin. She started off as a model, posing for Sears, Kmart, Spiegel, Lands' End, and Chuck E. Cheese as a young kid. She soon graduated to commercials, before she ventured into acting, landing her first role in ABC's Port Charles in 1997 at age seven. She also had small parts in the TV movie Growing Up Brady and the show Dawson's Creek. In 2001, she joined the cast of Lizzie McGuire alongside Hilary Duff, Lalaine, Adam Lamberg, Jake Thomas, Haille Todd, and Robert Carradine. Following the success of Lizzie McGuire, she acted in the thriller Mean Creek, sports drama Gracie, Eye of the Dolphin in 2007, horror flick Forget Me Not, and rom-com Slightly Single in LA. She took time off after that to focus on her education, and she graduated from California Lutheran University in 2014 with a double major in communications and psychology. In 2018, she returned to acting to star in the scary movie Ouija House, as well as the Lifetime movie Deadly Shores, but she hasn't appeared in anything since then. It's certainly a far cry from her former life in the spotlight, where her days were filled with glittering soirees and A-list events. She's seen in 2017 One year later, she announced that she had enlisted in the US Army. 'For 22 years, I've played dress up for a living. As an actress I've been kidnapped, gone blind, nearly eaten by lions and murdered on more than one occasion,' she wrote on Instagram at the time. 'I tormented Lizzie McGuire's little brother on the Disney Channel, was a dolphin trainer, the first female soccer player on an all boys team and Harrison Ford once rescued me during an intense home invasion. 'That's exciting and all, but in January I decided to raise my right hand and swear into the United States Army. 'With a college degree from @callutheran in Criminal Justice, an ASVAB score of 92, and qualifying PFTs... I was accepted into Army #OCS (Officer Candidate School).' Carly said she wanted to give her voice as an advocate for veterans and human trafficking more 'validity.' 'On a more tangible micro level, there is human trafficking occurring within the United States,' she added. 'I've written papers, spread awareness and as an Army Officer I intend to learn skills I can later apply when I'm on a team helping these victims. 'Serving my country will give my voice more validity. I can better serve and advocate for veterans once I am a part of their community. 'The military is a family and family always has each other's back.'
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Demi Lovato Marries Jordan 'Jutes' Lutes in California Wedding
Demi Lovato is married. The singer-actress wed singer-songwriter Jordan 'Jutes' Lutes on Sunday afternoon in California, according to Vogue. More from The Hollywood Reporter Demi Lovato Joins Hydration Brand Caliwater As New Partner and Investor Gavin Newsom Signs Bills Protecting Compensation for Child Influencers Where to Stream Demi Lovato's Documentary, 'Child Star' Online The couple met in January 2022 while working on music for Lovato's album Holy Fvck, with him co-writing her song 'Substance,' 'Happy Ending,' and 'City of Angels.' Lutes proposed in December 2023, but he previously shared that they weren't in any rush to get married. 'We're not trying to skip engagement to get right to wedding,' he told People last year. 'We're just basking in it and soaking it up. We'll be married forever. We just want to enjoy every step.' For the ceremony, Lovato wore a pearl white Vivienne Westwood dress made with heavy silk satin fabric with a corset bodice, Vogue reported. Lovato told the outlet that she's been a fan of Westwood's designs 'for a long time.' She changed into another Westwood-designed dress for the reception. Lovato, who recently made her directorial debut with the documentary Child Star, in which she also appeared, next stars in the film Tow opposite Rose Byrne and Dominic Sessa. She also is working on her next studio album. Best of The Hollywood Reporter From 'Lady in the Lake' to 'It Ends With Us': 29 New and Upcoming Book Adaptations in 2024 Meet the Superstars Who Glam Up Hollywood's A-List Rosie O'Donnell on Ellen, Madonna, Trump and 40 Years in the Queer Spotlight
The Sun
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
80s child star who co-starred with Arnold Schwarzenegger is now a grandad aged 49 – but can you guess who he is?
THIS 80s child star was lucky enough to star alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger in one his biggest films ever, when he was just a teenager. The star in question is now 49 and is even a grandad - but can you guess who it is? 8 8 8 8 The child star we are talking about is Danny Cooksey, who shot to fame when he was just a teenager. After appearing in numerous 80s sitcoms, he got his big break into the movies when he landed a role alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger. Fans of Terminator 2 will recognise him from Arnie's 1991 blockbuster movie. At just 14-year-old, he played Tim, the red head with the mullet that befriends Edward Fulong's character John Connor. Danny previously revealed he has very fond memories from time he shot the movie in the early 90s. "There are so many. It was such a big production," he told The Arnold "It was awesome. I actually lived in the area where it was filmed." Recalling how he found out he got the role of a lifetime he said: "So, about a week or so before I started, I was driving to school and my normal route was totally blocked with all sorts of production trucks and what-not. "Knowing what they were, I grumbled to myself about what damn production was causing me to be late, and reroute etc. Charlotte Rae stars as Mrs Garrett alongside Gary Coleman on Diff'rent Strokes "Then I got the call and realized that the damn production was T2. "I could have walked to the location. It was the intersection that they like slingshot the semi into the wall. " I was on set for that huge stunt. very very cool. It was awesome!" 8 8 BECOMING CHILD STAR Before his role in Terminator 2, Danny was already known by fans for being in the hugely successful 1980s sitcom Diff'rent Strokes. On the show, he starred alongside the Gary Coleman and played the late actor's onscreen best friend, Sam. 8 In total Danny appeared in 48 episodes of the comedy from 1984 through 1986. After his Terminator 2 fame, he landed the role of Bobby in Nickelodeon's hugely popular teen drama, Salute Your Shorts. His other TV credit include Tiny Toon Adventures, 101 Dalmatians: The Series and Dave The Barbarian. Danny continues to act, although a lot of his jobs include voice work. He voiced the roles of Brett and Chet in The Lorax, which also starred the voices of Danny DeVito, Ed Helms, Zac Efron and Taylor Swift. Away from the limelight, and Danny is also dad to two kids - Zoe, 27, and Jackson, 14 - who he shares with his ex-wife Amber. In fact, he is now a grandad, after his daughter welcomed a child. 8
Mail & Guardian
20-05-2025
- Business
- Mail & Guardian
Pixels and protection: Strengthening legal frameworks against digital child labour
Digital content may seem harmless but children are being commodified and South Africa's legal framework has not evolved to include the digital economy. Scrolling through social media often reveals a troubling trend: the commodification of childhood. Across platforms, South African children are increasingly featured in monetised content, from baby fashion showcases and toy unboxings to preteen dance trends and family video blogs (vlogs). Many of these 'kidfluencer' accounts, typically managed by parents or guardians, generate substantial income through brand partnerships and online followings. Although such digital content may appear harmless, even entertaining, it raises serious concerns about consent, exploitation, privacy and the psychological effects of growing up in the public eye. This presents a legal and ethical challenge. South Africa's legal frameworks, like those in many countries, are designed to regulate physical labour. They have not evolved to address the complexities of the digital economy, where children do unpaid or underpaid work, often without informed consent or sufficient oversight. These children usually lack meaningful agency and legal protection, falling into a regulatory grey zone. The dangers are not speculative. Documentaries such as Child Star and Quiet On Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV have exposed the long-term harm faced by children pushed into public roles without adequate safeguards. These cautionary tales resonate in the South African context, where economic inequality and limited opportunities may push families to monetise their children's digital presence as a survival strategy. South Africa's Similarly, the International frameworks to which South Africa is a signatory further strengthen the case for reform. The While these instruments offer crucial guidance, they require contextual adaptation to digital realities. For example, how should digital 'labour' be defined? When does family-generated content cross the line into commercial exploitation? And what responsibilities do platforms and advertisers have in this ecosystem? South Africa's persistent socio-economic inequality amplifies the urgency of these questions. Children who achieve online fame may bring significant income into households, but often at the expense of their education, well-being and right to privacy. As the ILO notes, child labour and poverty are 'inevitably bound together'. Grace Abbott's enduring observation that New technologies are further complicating the child labour landscape. AI-generated content, sometimes involving deepfakes or manipulated images, has created a new frontier for abuse. South Africa must urgently criminalise the production and distribution of such content and equip law enforcement with the skills and tools necessary to investigate these offences. The existing legal framework must also be expanded to encompass exploitative digital activities, including the misuse of children's data and images in AI-generated content. The There is considerable scope to build a forward-looking legal and regulatory framework. First, South Africa should develop tailored legislation that recognises digital content creation as a form of child labour when monetised. Such legislation should clearly define the rights of child influencers, including rights to privacy, compensation, education, and redress. Second, the law should mandate parental accountability and introduce independent oversight of commercialised child content. This could include a registry for child influencers, compulsory financial trusts for income generated and psychological assessments to monitor well-being. Third, regulations must compel digital platforms to implement stronger child protection mechanisms. This includes age verification systems, flagging and removing harmful content, and providing transparent reporting channels. Algorithms that amplify exploitative content should be audited and adjusted. Fourth, South Africa should invest in education campaigns about the risks and responsibilities of sharing children's content online. Digital literacy programmes in schools and communities could equip children and parents with the knowledge to navigate these spaces safely. Fifth, companies operating in South Africa must be required to conduct AI-enhanced due diligence across their supply chains. Blockchain technologies can provide traceability, helping verify that child labour, whether physical or digital, is not hidden in production or promotional pipelines. Given the borderless nature of the internet, international cooperation is essential. Harmonised laws, interoperable monitoring systems, and data-sharing agreements will be critical for tracking and prosecuting offenders who exploit children across jurisdictions. As a regional leader in digital policy, South Africa is well-positioned to advocate for a continental framework that protects African children from digital exploitation. The African Union's The digital economy offers enormous potential, but also exposes children to unprecedented forms of exploitation. While the country's legal foundation provides a starting point, it must now be modernised to meet the demands of the digital age. By implementing robust protections, leveraging ethical technologies, and fostering international collaboration, South Africa can lead in crafting a just, inclusive, and child-safe digital future. The digital world should not merely be a space of risk for South African children, it can, and must, become a space of rights, resilience, and responsible innovation. Letlhokwa Geoge Mpedi is the vice-chancellor and principal of the University of Johannesburg. Tshilidzi Marwala is a rector of the United Nations University and UN under-secretary general. The authors' latest book on this subject is Artificial Intelligence and the Law (Palgrave Macmillan, 2024).
