‘Let’s get to cunch-line’ From the Children’s Commissioners 2019 report ‘Gaming the System’ we know that around 93% of children in the UK play video games and this leisure time has benefits for their development. Despite these benefits, we know that some features of online games can and do present risks to children and
Following continued coverage of the risks the platform can pose to children and young people, TikTok has announced changes to its parental control settings. This article details the changes to the parental control settings and provides an overview of existing settings you can use to protect the children in your care.
All children and young people have the right to learn in a safe and healthy environment that’s free from bullying, harassment, and intimidation in all forms. Unfortunately, bullying still happens inside and outside of school, but most cases are resolved quickly. Bullying is best understood as a set of harmful behaviours directed at one
WhatsApp has now launched its disappearing messages feature and our team of online safety experts are busy testing this function. Sign up to our Safeguarding Hub Newsletter to keep up to date with alerts and changes like this one. WhatsApp has announced that they are releasing a Disappearing Messages function, which will
With over 1.5 billion downloads across 155 different countries, TikTok has soared in popularity. Some of you have recently got in touch to ask for more information about TikTok and its safety settings. To help you support the children and young people in your care, we have made a short video overview of
The internet is no stranger to harmful or disturbing content. Earlier this week, our safeguarding network was alerted to several young people mentioning ‘Rule 34’ as a potential source of information regarding sex. But what is the so-called Rule 34 and could it be harmful to children and young people? What is Rule 34?
The pandemic continues to impact how children and young people use online spaces. Now more than ever, it is essential to understand new and emerging apps, games and platforms that can present online risks to children. We are particularly concerned about the surge in the use of ‘friend-finding’ Apps, as authorities have previously warned during the pandemic that around 300,000 online offenders pose a threat to children in the UK. A recent report
Building emotional resilience in young people is essential for their development. The UK is facing a mental health crisis among its young people, with leading youth mental health charity Young Minds reporting that 1 in 6 young people have symptoms of a mental disorder such as depression or anxiety. On the 10th of October,
The Covid-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic has disrupted the lives of people all over the world, whilst bringing monumental change to how we teach and care for children and young people. Unfortunately, a major theme of the pandemic has been the spread of misinformation. The internet has played host to
Just like the real world, there are spaces, people, and places online which can be frightening or distressing for young people. Parents and policymakers have expressed concern at the sheer amount of inappropriate material that is freely accessible online, such as pornography or violent videos. Harmful content can include live news, violence, sexualised content
A recent video originating on Facebook Live depicting a man dying by suicide has made its way across popular social media platforms. We’re bringing you key facts and advice on how you can respond. When viral events happen information can travel quickly, often before full details have emerged. You should note that details, videos and
As we quickly become the ‘go-to’ provider for safeguarding training we have now launched our updated prospectus in response to your feedback for training to help you respond to safeguarding in our changing world. We know the challenges of finding the time to keep yourself up to date – so we’re here to make
The digital world is no longer a separate reality, it has become blended into every part of our lives. If you are responsible for a child or young person, opting out of the world of social media is no longer an option for you. By embracing technology you can develop an understanding of the
The use of social media within an organisation can bring many benefits and opportunities. Used appropriately, it can reach out to an entire community and provide engaging and timely information. This is especially important today as we are socially distanced and relying on technology and online platforms to communicate. Many people already use
The COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic continues to impact daily life for families, schools, and safeguarding professionals. During uncertain times it is critical to have access to the latest information, advice, and guidance. As we continue to monitor the guidance at a national and regional level, we see varying responses. To ensure you receive the correct information