Your Content Goes Here Your Content Goes Here Warning The following update includes distressing themes, such as suicide and self-harm acts, that may be triggering for some readers. Due to the popularity of online gaming platform Roblox with children and young people under the age of
Your Content Goes Here Your Content Goes Here What is the JusTalk app and is it safe for young people? Schools and safeguarding professionals are reporting that children and young people are receiving harmful and inappropriate messages on the JusTalk app. After an investigation by our Online Safety Experts,
Your Content Goes Here Your Content Goes Here New research has uncovered the top five platforms young people feel the most unsafe whilst using. The Pupil Safeguarding Review investigated the effectiveness of school safeguarding policy, with an aim of understanding whether pupils feel safe in a variety of settings.
Children and young people across the world use a range of online platforms to communicate and find connection with others. One app is redesigning itself entirely around this idea. Yubo (formerly known as Yellow) now describes itself as a “platform that celebrates the true essence of being young” and encourages “you
What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think of cyber security risks? Computer viruses? Password hacks? Vulnerabilities in tech and websites? Stories like the recent attack on UK schools by cybercrime group Vice Society remind us that the biggest threat to your cyber security is actually people…including you
WARNING: This article contains descriptions of self-harm and suicide. Discretion is advised. We have received reports of a viral post circulating on social media about an alleged self-harm ‘game’ being shared on popular gaming platform Roblox. Known as ‘The Game’, the post claims that
Over the last two years, there has been a surge in UK households using virtual reality. While it may seem like science fiction, virtual reality (VR) is becoming more popular every day, especially with children and young people. Quick Stats Research predicts the next generation will
For Anti-Bullying Week 2022, we’ve put together a collection of all our bullying-related resources. Below you’ll find articles on bullying, including tough topics such as what to do when your child is the bully, plus practical resources that can be used in the classroom and at home. What is Anti-Bullying Week? Anti-Bullying Week 2022 takes
This Safeguarding Alert has been published to support parents, carers and safeguarding professionals in protecting children and young people in their care from exposure to explicit sexual content online. What should I do? If your child is a Twitch, Reddit or TikTok user remain calm. They may
For Cyber Security Awareness month, we’ve put together some handy resources for you! Check out our buzzwords shareable to help you keep up to date with all the latest cyber security terms and popular phrases. For schools, we have created a cyber security audit, designed to help you understand your
For World Mental Health Day 2022, we have compiled our best resources on mental health, along with some top tips for talking to young people about mental health. This year’s theme is “Make mental health and wellbeing for all a global priority”. Although not as taboo a subject as it once
Due to the popularity of two of Netflix’s most recent releases, Blonde (a Marilyn Monroe biopic) and Dahmer - Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, our online safety experts have released this Safeguarding Update, which highlights the main risks and concerns associated with the disturbing content in
We have previously reported on dangerous online platform called Omegle and the risks it poses to children and young people who visit it. Following a recent press release and concerns from parents, carers, and safeguarding professionals, we have decided to release further information and guidance. What is Omegle?
Have you ever sent a message, and immediately wished you could unsend it? Many messaging options on popular platforms are starting to make this wish come true by offering a ‘deleting messages’ feature. Our online safety experts have taken a look at the various options to help parents and
Many of today’s most popular platforms have begun to release more and more features and updates that claim to help parents and carers protect younger users. Instagram has been releasing updates almost monthly, with many features building on its promise to improve the impact the platform has after significant negative press.
You may have heard about a recent cyberattack on the popular school platform, Seesaw. While there was misconception over whether this applied only to the United States, we have received reports that schools across the UK have been affected by this attack. What happened?
We have recently been alerted to a new scam being circulated across the UK. This phishing scam involves a text message that links you to a fake UK government website to register for the energy bills discount scheme. Our Scam Alert will help you understand what the scam is, how to
Children and young people can spend a significant amount of their time using devices and exploring the online world. There’s nothing fundamentally wrong with this – it’s a place for them to socialise, to play, and to learn. However, with Ofcom reporting that 9 in 10 children in the UK will
Apple have released the latest updates for their devices, with iOS 16 live since September 12th, 2022. With features added to aid parents and carers in safeguarding their children, such as improvements to safety features and parental controls, our Online Safety Experts have
We have recently become aware of an increase in a phishing scam, often known as ‘Hi Mum’. The scam involves the impersonation of friends or family members, and can be conducted through text message or an instant messaging service, such as WhatsApp. Our Scam Alert will help you understand what the
When a viral challenge is reported in the news or on social media, it's often easier to consider the risks than establish the facts. Making the decision to issue guidance or warnings about challenges and hoaxes is often informed by the principle of ‘better safe than sorry’. While safeguarding responses to online harms are vital, the
If a young person in your care has an active suicide plan you should go with them to your nearest A&E for immediate support. #WorldSuicidePreventionDay World Suicide Prevention Day happens every year on September 10th. This year the theme is ‘Creating Hope Through Action’. The theme aims to suggest that all of our
After a consultation period that ran from January 2022 to March 2022, Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) 2022 was released on the GOV.UK website on May 20th, 2022. This guidance came into effect on the September 1st, 2022 and will replace the previous Keeping Children
89% of the UK’s internet users know what Snapchat is. It’s one of the most popular social media platforms and is widely used by young people to send ‘disappearing’ pictures, videos, and messages. Parents and carers have been asking the platform for more parental controls for
Going back to school can be an exciting time for carers, parents and pupils alike, but it can also be a challenging period, full of uncertainties and unknowns. In this guide to the back-to-school need-to-knows, we take a look at some of those concerns from the perspective