Teenage vaping increases as 50% are exposed to e-cigarettes promotions in shops or online, Facebook trials additional profiles, Online Safety Bill faces delays and possible challenges and scammers target cost-of-living payments scheme and PayPal accounts.
Allegation against TikTok claims children died after attempting online challenge, Discord users warned of a “name and shame” scam, Ofcom to gain powers to ensure tech firms effectively tackle child sexual abuse material and scam checking tool is launched.
Ofcom launches campaign to encourage young users to report harmful content, UK Finance find over £1.3 billion lost to frauds in 2021, Snapchat introduces subscription with new location feature and government review finds biometric laws inadequate.
Instagram trials new age verification video tools, Meta is challenged by BBC about failure to remove upskirting images, FCA tackles more online scams and Children’s Commissioner issues call to action for parents of young children.
Meta introduces new parental controls on Instagram and Quest virtual reality headsets, Discord also improves moderation tools, young people identified as most at risk of online investment scams and new digital strategy announced by UK Govt.
New screentime controls available on TikTok, teachers warn of children’s excessive phone use as a result of lockdowns, Twitter makes improvements to reporting functions and Facebook is accused of failing to effectively monitor hate speech.
Ofcom study reveals women impacted more than men by online safety issues, cryptocurrency trading poses risks for problem gamblers, Lloyds warns of new advance fee fraud scam and the Online Safety Bill is explained in rap.
Prince Harry blasts social media companies for experimenting on young people to make money, bullying online is now more likely than in person, three teenage arrests on suspicion of terror offences, and the social media response to Buffalo shooting has been criticised.
EU launches its new online safety strategy, the NSPCC reports a big increase in reports of peer on peer abuse, MPs recognise risks to child influencers and call for greater protections, and increased funding for mental health support for young people.