Online Safety Updates

Trolling is the act of making inflammatory comments or behaving in an abusive manner online to hurt the feelings of others or provoke a reaction from them  It is estimated that in 2022, over a third (34%) of people in the UK who suffered online abuse were specifically victims of trolling. The repercussions of this type …

A 2023 report from the Gambling Commission found that 40% of 11–to 17-year-olds had some experience of gambling in the preceding 12 months  That’s a significant number of children and young people involved in an over 18s activity  Engagement and exposure to gambling can impact one’s finances, mental health and wellbeing. It is crucial we are all aware of …

A recent Sport England study found that less than half (47%) of children in the UK currently meet the Chief Medical Officers’ guidelines of taking part in an average of 60 minutes or more of sport and physical activity a day  While this figure may see a rise during the Euros, taking this chance to get …

According to Statista, 69% of children currently engage in competitive sport, either in or out of school  Thanks to the Euros, it’s very possible that percentage will see an uptick in the coming weeks. Enjoying sport and revelling in healthy competition can have a fantastic impact on children’s development – but when presented with the idea …

A study from the British Psychological Society found that the majority of children (71%) had at least one close friend as early as five years old. These connections can form rather quickly and develop with equal speed.  At such a young age, it can be remarkable how suddenly two children can hit it off with one …

Statistics from the Children’s Commissioner found that in the 2022/23 academic year, 22.3% of all pupils were persistently absent – a significant increase from 2018/19, when that figure was 10.9%. This lost time can have a notable impact on children’s development, learning and overall wellbeing.   The specific reasons for school avoidance are sometimes hard …

A peak simultaneous player count of almost 500,000  It’s safe to say that Helldivers 2 has taken the games industry by storm, attracting a wide array of fans from all over the world and – more importantly – from various age groups. Many young gamers are actively playing this title, both with friends and with strangers …

Ofcom’s Media Use and Attitudes Report for 2024 is here  The UK’s regulator for communications publishes a comprehensive annual compendium of the results of several surveys they’ve conducted regarding the activities and experiences of children when interacting with entertainment: from TV to video games to social media platforms  Contained in the report are numerous statistics relevant …

Quality merchandise  Fair prices  What’s not to love?  The possibility of bagging a bargain and the ability to sell your own unwanted items have made online marketplaces like Vinted and Depop into an attractive option for anyone looking to save money or make a little extra cash for themselves in these challenging economic times. Unfortunately, however, these services (and numerous others like them) can still be …

Close to a third of children in the UK consume energy drinks at least once every week While these high-caffeine beverages might be touted as a shortcut to a boost in focus and productivity, even a moderate intake can lead to significant impacts on the heart, sleeping patterns and mental wellbeing. With celebrity spokespeople, colourful branding …

Around one in five headlines online are clickbait  That’s an estimate from experts at Stanford University, who conducted a study into this phenomenon which has gradually extended its reach to almost every corner of the internet – powered by a strategy of snagging users’ attention by any means necessary rather than a legitimate desire to inform …

Children can often be guarded about their emotions or any difficulties they’re experiencing  This reticence can extend to chats with their parents. A study by the Office for National Statistics found that 64% of children reported regularly talking to their mum about “things that matter”, and even fewer (45%) held conversations of the same kind with …

Dreaming of a decent night’s sleep?  Many of us are – and it’s a particularly pervasive problem for young people. Concerningly, research has suggested that around 70% of teens get less than the recommended 8–10 hours’ sleep per night. The effects of poor-quality sleep on a developing mind, of course, can be harmful over a prolonged period.   Although …

£10 million in sales within 10 days  50,000 simultaneous players  The fighting game Tekken 8 has enjoyed an astounding degree of success since its release in late January. Its impressive presentation and entertaining roster of characters has struck a chord, both with long-term fans and newcomers to the Tekken series – many of whom are children and …

The latest bullying research from the DfE makes for upsetting reading  Almost half (40%) of schoolchildren in the UK have been bullied within the past 12 months – with 21% of them experiencing negative changes to their behaviour, including avoiding going to school. In 15% of those cases, the victim’s behaviour suffers to the extent that …

Learning to deal with everyday difficulties  The ability to manage our feelings, thoughts and behaviours in effective ways – known as self-regulation – is gained gradually through childhood and into adolescence. It’s acknowledged as a pivotal element in young people’s development but can prove trickier for some children to master than others  In our #WakeUpWednesday guide this week, …

Online video calling with random strangers  It’s hardly a new internet phenomenon – but the recent demise of Omegle has prompted the creation of several similar platforms bidding to fill the vacuum. One such contender is Monkey – a service that randomly connects its users for video calls, using their mobile numbers and Snapchat account details  …