Hello and welcome back to Safeguarding Soundbites, your podcast for catching up on all the latest in online safeguarding news, with me, Colin Stitt, Head of Safer Schools at Ineqe Safeguarding Group.

This week we’ve been looking into Locket, the iOS widget that’s designed for sharing photos with friends. After gaining fame through TikTok, the widget has soared in popularity. Locket user’s can add up to 10 friends to connect with, all of which will need to have downloaded the widget app. After connecting users can send photos directly to each other’s home screen. It essentially allows contacts to put photos directly onto each other’s iPhone home screen. But how safe is it? Our online safety experts took a look – find their full thoughts and findings in our Online Safety Section.

In the news this week, online trolling may soon become an offense punishable by up to two years in prison, under the upcoming Online Harms Bill. Messages that have been posted online that are likely to cause harm by someone aware of or intending to do so, would be classed as a punishable offence. The bill, which is currently being finalised, will see a range of new legal measures put into place to protect online users, including specific regulations to safeguard children.

Social media companies may also face punishment under the bill, as recommendations announced this week call for social media companies to also take responsibility for online abuse or face a fine.

New research has found that children are more likely to suffer abuse online if their parents are excessively using their phones. The study by Leicester University and Internet Matters also suggests that children who are excessively using social media suffer over 80% more negative emotions like anxiety and insecurity.

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