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Under-16s social media ban: What parents in the West need to know

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The Government says it is to ban under 16s from using certain social media platforms by Spring 2027

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How to turn off You Tube Shorts .. and why you should 

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How to turn off You Tube Shorts .. and why you should 

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Cybersecurity expert Ben Gillenwater on Instagram: "@YouTube finally lets parents block the Shorts feed, but here’s what they’re NOT telling you.

✅ What it does: Turns off the infinite Shorts scroll via Google Family Link
❌ What it doesn’t do: Shorts still appear in search, recommendations and channel pages
❌ Smart TVs, Roku, Fire Stick, Apple TV, gaming consoles have zero controls

To set it up: Google Family Link app, then your child’s profile, then YouTube, then Time Management, then Shorts Feed Limit, then set to 0 minutes.
It’s one layer of protection. Not a complete solution. But worth doing.

Share this with other parents! 

#YouTubeShorts #ParentalControls #ScreenTime #DigitalParenting #FamilyITGuy"

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7,983 likes, 393 comments - family_it_guy on April 6, 2026: "@YouTube finally lets parents block the Shorts feed, but here’s what they’re NOT telling you.

✅ What it does: Turns off the infinite Shorts scroll via Google Family Link
❌ What it doesn’t do: Shorts still appear in search, recommendations and channel pages
❌ Smart TVs, Roku, Fire Stick, Apple TV, gaming consoles have zero controls

To set it up: Google Family Link app, then your child’s profile, then YouTube, then Time Management, then Shorts Feed Limit, then set to 0 minutes.
It’s one layer of protection. Not a complete solution. But worth doing.

Share this with other parents! 

#YouTubeShorts #ParentalControls #ScreenTime #DigitalParenting #FamilyITGuy". 

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Documentaries to watch before letting your child loose on social media ..

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Documentaries to watch before letting your child loose on social media ..

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Lee Parkinson MBE (Mr P) on Instagram: "Thinking of letting your child on social media? 

Have a read, watch or listen to these first. 

Smartphone Nation by @kaitlynregehr - https://amzn.to/4teGWz8

Inside the Rage Machine - BBC iPlayer 

Molly vs The Machines @mollyvsthemachines - Channel 4

The Social Dilemma - Netflix

The Anxious Generation by @jonathanhaidt - https://amzn.to/4teGWz8

Swiped - Channel 4

Gatekeepers - Podcast

The Great Hack - Netflix

If you think I’m missing any, let me know!"

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620 likes, 18 comments - ict_mrp on April 1, 2026: "Thinking of letting your child on social media? 

Have a read, watch or listen to these first. 

Smartphone Nation by @kaitlynregehr - https://amzn.to/4teGWz8

Inside the Rage Machine - BBC iPlayer 

Molly vs The Machines @mollyvsthemachines - Channel 4

The Social Dilemma - Netflix

The Anxious Generation by @jonathanhaidt - https://amzn.to/4teGWz8

Swiped - Channel 4

Gatekeepers - Podcast

The Great Hack - Netflix

If you think I’m missing any, let me know!". 

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View this post on Instagram

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very hard hitting film (not for children to watch ) Childhood 2.0

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very hard hitting film (not for children to watch ) Childhood 2.0

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Social Media Dangers Documentary — Childhood 2.0

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Roblox’s AI-Powered Age Verification Is a Complete Mess

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Kids are being identified as adults—and vice versa—on Roblox, while age-verified accounts are already being sold online.

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Tech and devices are becoming a larger part of families lives and there is no sign that this is going to change. So, learning how to manage screen time is key.

Get advice from our expert panel to recognise when screen time may be affecting children's wellbeing and how to help them develop good digital habits.

How can I spot when my child has had 'too much' screen time?

From the American Academy of Pediatrics original stance (1999) stating no screen time for children under two, later updated to a more nuanced approach (2016) in allowing limited high-quality content for children, we now know that all screen time is not equal.

The Royal College of Pediatrics and Child Health suggest that parents approach screen time "based on the child's developmental age, the individual need and value the family place on positive activities such as socialising, exercise and sleep."

This well-meaning advice for families alleviates concerns (and guilt) regarding screen-based activities, demonstrates the positive impact of technology and allows parents to focus on context and content of screen time rather than just time limits.

But some parents and carers may still want to know: "when has my child had 'too much' screen time?"

As families and children differ, so does the effects of screen time. However, all parents can use these tips as a guideline.

Watch how your child interacts with their device

Does my child have a tantrum when the device is removed or screen turned off?

Does my child complain of neck pain or back pain?

Does my child complain of headaches or eye strain?

Does my child become aggressive or angry when playing or watching online?

Does my child often seem over-excited?

Has my child become disorganized, disobedient, or oppositional?

If the answer to the majority of these questions is 'Yes,' then parents should consider supplementing screen time activities with something else.

Recognise when screen time negatively impacts children's development

Is my child connecting socially with family and friends?

Is my child physically healthy and sleeping enough?

Is my child engaged with and achieving in school?

Is my child pursuing interests and hobbies (in any form)?

Is my child having fun and learning in their use of digital media?

If the answer to the majority of these questions is 'No', then parents may need to place limits on screen-based activities.
See more ways to manage screen time and tackle 'too much' of it.
How can I spot when my child has had 'too much' screen time?

The best way to look at is: is it getting in the way of day to day activities?

If your child's screen time interferes with them seeing friends, doing their homework or having an interrupted family meal, it's too much screen time.

As a family, you may have rules, but it's a great idea to discuss with your child their thoughts on what screen time is appropriate - when and where.

If it's appropriate to have their device for an hour in the evening, encourage them to use the monitoring tools to look at their own screen time and help them interrupt themselves.

Look at having the wellbeing discussions and also look at a practical discussions around the amount of time they should spend on devices. This will help encourage a varied diet of family time, exercise, socialising and school work.
Find guidance on balancing screen time. Download the digital family agreement template.
What is the best way to encourage children to use apps, website, and tools that will help them manage screen time?

It's important for parents to discuss with children the need to balance the amount of time spent on and offline. One way to do this is to talk about recognising signs that our bodies need a break from the screen.

This is sometimes difficult (especially for younger children or children with special educational needs). So, there are tools we can use to help us to recognise how long we are spending online and to remind us to take time offline.

Talk to your children about how these tools can help. By doing this, you can explore their views and understanding of screen time and empower them to listen, both to us and their own bodies.

It's also important to role model a balanced use of screens for your child. If they feel that we are always on our phones, despite telling them it's not okay, then they may pick up conflicting messages.

One of the best approaches is to talk regularly together about healthy and balanced screen time. Screen time isn't always problematic, so why not talk with them about what they do online? You might find that it's more educational than you think!

Find age-specific advice to manage screen time

How do I manage screen time balance?

The online world provides an extension to the offline play parks where children meet to wind down, hang out and learn with their friends and peers.

At Roblox, we believe play is an essential activity, both in itself and as a tool to learn soft skills. These skills include how to communicate with others, how to work as a team and how to problem-solve.

The key is to ensure children have a healthy mix of opportunities to discover the world - both on and offline - and to communicate with them on why this variety is important.

Many of the online worlds focused on children offer additional learning and development opportunities layered into the element of 'play' - from those teaching Maths and literacy comprehension, right through to platforms like Roblox that are built with teaching children to code in mind.

It's important to spend time with your children to help them understand how the skills they learn on-screen can fit to the offline world, and to define what 'quality' screen time looks like - but also to give them room to play and be kids.
Explore apps to help children develop new skills and passions.
Supporting resources

See other articles

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Rebecca Avery, Laura Higgins, Dr Elizabeth Milovidov, JD, Dr. Linda Papadopoulos

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How can I help my child manage screen time?

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How can I help my child manage screen time? | Internet Matters. Industry specialists discuss screen time to promote online wellbeing.

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How to help under-5s balance screen time | Internet Matters. Manage under-5s’ screen time and help them develop early habits with these tips.

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The RCPCH reviewed evidence on digital media and children and highlights that:

Excessive screen time is associated with poorer language development, social interaction and attention regulation in very young children.

The context of screen use is critically important: interactive, co-viewed content is less likely to be harmful than passive background screen exposure.

They advise that parents/caregivers should help children balance screen use with other activities like play, reading and sleep.

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The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health

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The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health

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Screen time and online harms: resources for members

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This page brings together key resources on screen time and online harms to help inform conversations with families and guide clinical practice across the UK. We will continue to monitor developments and update these resources as new guidance emerges.

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Smartphone Free Childhood US  - "Let's Change The Norm"

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Smartphone Free Childhood | Resources for Parents

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Explore guides, tools and inspiration for parents. Your most common questions about kids and smartphones – answered. Free tools and guides to help you create real change in your community. Detailed guides to help you take action – based on what’s worked for others. Real stories, big ideas and behind-the-scenes insight from the movement.

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Jan 2026 new age verifications for Roblox 

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Jan 2026 new age verifications for Roblox 

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How accurate are they ?

Not very according to children i've spoken to and wide reports.

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Why has Roblox changed its age verification? - BBC Bitesize

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BBC Bitesize explores the questions and queries parents may have about the 2026 changes to age verification on Roblox.

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Artificial intelligence safety tips for parents

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Learn more about artificial intelligence (AI) content and tools, and discover ways to help your children stay safe. Written by Kate Edwards, Associate Head of Child Safety Online.

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mary.rebelo@ict-connections.co.uk

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Inside the scandals of the school WhatsApp group – and what you really can’t say

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As Rosalind Levine and her partner Maxie Allen win damages after being wrongfully arrested for complaints they’d made on a parents’ WhatsApp group, mum of two Charlotte Cripps looks at the perils of being a member of the class chat and what lines are too dangerous to cross

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Nicola Skinner ⋒ Paed RN & Health Coach on Instagram: "Comment DUMB for list of affordable dumb phones for kids + awesome accounts to follow to encourage you to nurture tech-free kids ❤️

I think by now we know there’s negative consequences for kids of too much screen time but did you know that scientists say ipads from young ages is changing the way your brain is wired? 😱

🧠Children’s brains are still wiring themselves, especially the frontal lobe (responsible for impulse control, focus, and emotional regulation), which is under develo[ped so they literally do not have the cognitive ability to make wise decisions around technology use......it’s not their fault! Crazy hey

👉Fast-paced apps and games, train the brain for instant gratification, shortening attention span and making schoolwork feel “boring, every notification or “like” triggers dopamine, leading to addictive use patterns similar to gambling reward loops! The blue light and late-night scrolling reduce melatonin, delaying sleep onset and harming growth hormone cycles and then theres the concerns around reduced empathy and social skills. Real-world interactions teach tone, empathy, and non-verbal cues, but these skills actually decline with heavy screen use! WHAT?! 🙀 

😩And that’s not even going into the concenrs around mental health!
👉Studies show strong links between early or heavy social media use and higher anxiety, depression, and loneliness (especially in preteens and teens), increased body image issues from exposure to filters, influencers, and unrealistic standards and also comparison and cyberbullying (kids aren’t developmentally ready to self-regulate or seek help). A 2023 JAMA study found girls who started social media before age 11 had significantly higher risk of poor mental health by high school (https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2834349).

Comment DUMB for better phones for kids and great IG accounts to follow on the topic 🎉"

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Raising tech-savvy kids can be a challenge, but are you aware of the potential risks of excessive screen time on their mental and physical health? From social media anxiety to blue light exposure, learn how to protect your kids from the dark side of technology and set healthy boundaries for a happier, healthier childhood. Find out how to encourage tech-free kids and explore great social media accounts to follow for inspiration

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https://www.itv.com/news/2025-11-14/mosque-attacks-and-far-right-skins-roblox-teens-exposed-to-extremist-content

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Elisa Nevitt on Instagram: "It’s okay to tell your child no when it comes to social media. Not every kid is ready for the pressures, comparisons, and potential dangers that come with being online. Setting boundaries isn’t about being the “mean parent”—it’s about protecting their mental health and helping them develop the maturity to navigate the digital world responsibly.

Just like we wouldn’t hand them car keys before they’re ready to drive, we shouldn’t feel pressured to give them social media access before they can handle it. Every child is different, and as parents, we get to decide what’s best for our family.

Have you set social media rules for your homeschool? Let’s talk about it!

Credit: @bbcradio4 
Follow for all things homeschooling!

#intentionalparenting #homeschoollife #digitalparenting #kidsandtechnology #homeschoolmom #homeschoolcommunity #raisingkids #parentingwin #socialmediaandmentalhealth"

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113K likes, 1,619 comments - officialherd on March 8, 2025: "It’s okay to tell your child no when it comes to social media. Not every kid is ready for the pressures, comparisons, and potential dangers that come with being online. Setting boundaries isn’t about being the “mean parent”—it’s about protecting their mental health and helping them develop the maturity to navigate the digital world responsibly.

Just like we wouldn’t hand them car keys before they’re ready to drive, we shouldn’t feel pressured to give them social media access before they can handle it. Every child is different, and as parents, we get to decide what’s best for our family.

Have you set social media rules for your homeschool? Let’s talk about it!

Credit: @bbcradio4 
Follow for all things homeschooling!

#intentionalparenting #homeschoollife #digitalparenting #kidsandtechnology #homeschoolmom #homeschoolcommunity #raisingkids #parentingwin #socialmediaandmentalhealth". 

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View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Elisa Nevitt (@officialherd)

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but please remember it's all about context! Now we all know this the youngsters will find different ways to communicate . See the note about adolescence ( right ) as the themes around young men being radicalised into Incel behaviour are far more important

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Talk to your older children about Netflix's Adolescence 

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Talk to your older children about Netflix's Adolescence 

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Talk to Your Teens About Adolescence

Everyone's talking about Netflix's new British drama Adolescence. But this show isn't just another crime series—it's a sharp look at the world kids navigate every day. From the role of Instagram in shaping self-esteem to the way masculinity is portrayed, the show is a window into how digital choices can have real-world consequences. Here's how you can use these themes to start meaningful conversations with your tweens and teens.

This series contains mature themes including violence and is recommended for families with teens age 15+.

Social Media & Self-Image

The show explores the impact of Instagram and other media platforms on relationships and identity. Ask your teens: How accurate does Adolescence feel to you? How does social media make you feel about yourself? What role does it play in your friendships, online and in real life?

Try this: Share your own experiences with social media—positive and negative—to make it a two-way conversation.

Masculinity & Influence

Jamie, the main character, has complicated views on women and power. Where do those beliefs come from, and how do they evolve? Adolescencechallenges viewers to think about what it really means to "be a man" today.

Questions to explore together:What messages about masculinity do you see in the media you watch? How do they shape your own views?

Accountability in a Digital World

The show doesn't just tell a story—it asks tough questions about responsibility, both online and off. Which characters take accountability? Who avoids it? And what lessons can we apply to our own online interactions?

Discussion starter: If you could change one thing about the way people act online, what would it be?

(Article from common sense media )

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The schools where smartphones won't be allowed

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Schools in Barnet to become smartphone-free

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A charity wants parents to delay smartphone purchases for their children until they are least 14.

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Internet Safety Brigade on LinkedIn: ‘Internet Safety:’ Georgia lawmakers move to ban youth from social media

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‘Internet Safety:’ Georgia lawmakers move to ban youth from social media

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Swiped .. documentary by Emma and Matt Willis about what happened when a group  of 13 year olds gave up their phones for 21 days 

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Swiped .. documentary by Emma and Matt Willis about what happened when a group  of 13 year olds gave up their phones for 21 days 

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Emma and Matt Willis challenge a group of Year 8 pupils at the Stanway School in Colchester to give up their smartphones completely for 21 days

Emma and Matt Willis and a group of Year 8s start a 21-day phone-ban challenge. Will removing the devices make the kids happier, healthier and ready to learn?

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Swiped: The School That Banned Smartphones

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Emma and Matt Willis challenge a group of Year 8 pupils at the Stanway School in Colchester to give up their smartphones completely for 21 days

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Online Safety Takeaways for Children Under 7 from this report

1. More Young Children Are Online Independently

- 32% of 5-7-year-olds use social media without adult supervision.

- 42% use social media with a parent, but this still leaves many exposed to potential risks.

2. Exposure to Inappropriate Content

- 77% of parents worry about their child seeing age-inappropriate content.

- More 5-7s are playing shooter games (15%, up from 10%), which may not be suitable for their age.

3. Online Interactions with Strangers

- 41% of 5-7s game online, and some may interact with strangers while playing.

- 31% of all children who game online talk to people they don’t know. 4. Risks of Early Social Media Use

- More 5-7s are using TikTok, WhatsApp, and Instagram, where they may be exposed to unsafe content or inappropriate interactions.

- Some young children fake their age to access social media platforms.

5. Parental Awareness and Rules

- More parents are allowing children under 7 to have social media profiles (30%, up from 25%).

- Only 32% of parents correctly know that 13 is the minimum age for most social media platforms.

- 95% of parents discuss online safety with their children, but only 30% of kids receive regular online safety lessons in school.

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97% of 12-year-olds in Britain have a smartphone.

When children started getting them, there was no research about their impact. Now there is, and it's overwhelming.

Smartphones expose children to harmful content, raise the likelihood of developing a mental illness and are highly addictive.

But parents have been put in an impossible position.

Either we give our children access to something that opens the door to porn, bullying, grooming and the anxiety machine that is social media, or we risk alienating them from their peers.

Regulation hasn't caught up with the technology, so it's parents and children that lose out.

We started Smartphone Free Childhood to give power back to parents, and to kickstart the change society needs.

We've learned over time to restrict alcohol and smoking to certain age groups. Smartphones have been with us for barely 15 years, and now we know their effect, we need to act.

Our mission We're determined to turn the groundswell of public support we've already recieved into real change for our children and future generations. We'll do it by:

🗣️ Growing the national conversation about the harms of smartphones for children.

👩‍🏫 Empowering parents and schools to create change at a local level.

👊 Putting pressure on government and tech companies to help us protect our children.

Just as we marvel at the fact cigarette companies used to market their products as healthy, people will look back on this era and ask why children weren't protected from smartphones.

Let's get together and change the norm.

Sign up to be part of the movement and for the latest updates from our campaign.

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Smartphone Free Childhood is a grassroots movement on a mission to keep childhood smartphone free. We want to connect parents in their local communities so that together they can make a pact not to give their children smartphones until at least 14, or social media before the age of 16.

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Australia plans to ban social media for under 16s....

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Australia plans to ban social media for under 16s....

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Australia plans social media ban for under-16s

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The government says it wants to mitigate the “harm” social media is inflicting on children.

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The Online Safety Bill has been signed off by the Houses of Parliament and will become law soon

the bill will make the UK the safest place in the world to be online by placing new duties on social media companies - honouring our manifesto commitment

the bolstered bill has been strengthened through debate, with firmer protections for children, more control for adults and clarity for social platforms

The Online Safety Bill has today (Tuesday 19 September) passed its final Parliamentary debate and is now ready to become law.

This major milestone means the government is within touching distance of delivering the most powerful child protection laws in a generation, while ensuring adults are better empowered to take control of their online lives, while protecting our mental health.

The bill takes a zero-tolerance approach to protecting children and makes sure social media platforms are held responsible for the content they host. If they do not act rapidly to prevent and remove illegal content and stop children seeing material that is harmful to them, such as bullying, they will face significant fines that could reach billions of pounds. In some cases, their bosses may even face prison.

The bill has undergone considerable parliamentary scrutiny in both the Houses and has come out with stronger protections for all.

Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan said:

The Online Safety Bill is a game-changing piece of legislation. Today, this government is taking an enormous step forward in our mission to make the UK the safest place in the world to be online.

I am immensely proud of what we have achieved with this bill. Our common-sense approach will deliver a better future for British people, by making sure that what is illegal offline is illegal online. It puts protecting children first, enabling us to catch keyboard criminals and crack down on the heinous crimes they seek to commit.

I am deeply thankful to the tireless campaigning and efforts of parliamentarians, survivors of abuse and charities who have all worked relentlessly to get this bill to the finish line.

Without this groundbreaking legislation, the safety of children across the country would be at stake and the internet would remain a wild west of content, putting children's lives and mental health at risk. The bill has a zero-tolerance approach to protecting children, meaning social media platforms will be legally responsible for the content they host and keeping children and young people safe online.

Social media platforms will be expected to:

remove illegal content quickly or prevent it from appearing in the first place, including content promoting self-harm

prevent children from accessing harmful and age-inappropriate content

enforce age limits and age-checking measures

ensure the risks and dangers posed to children on the largest social media platforms are more transparent, including by publishing risk assessments

provide parents and children with clear and accessible ways to report problems online when they do arise

NSPCC Chief Executive, Sir Peter Wanless said:

We are absolutely delighted to see the Online Safety Bill being passed through Parliament. It is a momentous day for children and will finally result in the ground-breaking protections they should expect online.

At the NSPCC, we hear from children about the completely unacceptable levels of abuse and harm they face online every day. That's why we have campaigned strongly for change alongside brave survivors, families, young people and parliamentarians to ensure the legislation results in a much safer online world for children.

Children can benefit greatly from life online. Tech companies can now seize the opportunity to embrace safety by design. The NSPCC is ready to help them listen to and understand the online experiences of their young users to help ensure every child feels safe and empowered online.

In addition to its firm protections for children, the bill empowers adults to take control of what they see online. It provides three layers of protection for internet users which will:

1. Make sure illegal content will have to be removed

2. Place a legal responsibility on social media platforms to enforce the promises they make to users when they sign up, through terms and conditions

3. Offer users the option to filter out harmful content, such as bullying, that they do not want to see online

If social media platforms do not comply with these rules, Ofcom could fine them up to £18 million or 10% of their global annual revenue, whichever is biggest - meaning fines handed down to the biggest platforms could reach billions of pounds.

Also added to the bill are new laws to decisively tackle online fraud and violence against women and girls. Through this legislation, it will be easier to convict someone who shares intimate images without consent and new laws will further criminalise the non-consensual sharing of intimate deepfakes.

The change in laws will make it easier to charge abusers who share intimate images and put more offenders behind bars and better protect the public. Those found guilty of this base offence have a maximum penalty of 6 months in custody.

Former Love Island star and campaigner Georgia Harrison said:

Violence against women and girls is so common, with one in three women in the UK having experienced online abuse or harassment.

The Online Safety bill is going to help bring this to an end, by holding social media companies accountable to protect women and girls from online abuse.

Under the bill, the biggest social media platforms will have to stop users being exposed to dangerous fraudulent adverts by blocking and removing scams, or face Ofcom 's huge new fines.

The government has recently strengthened the bill even further, by amending the law to force social media firms to prevent activity that facilitates animal cruelty and torture (such as paying or instructing torture). Even if this activity takes place outside the UK but is seen by users here, companies will be forced to take it down.

Anticipating the bill coming into force, the biggest social media companies have already started to take action. Snapchat has started removing the accounts of underage users and TikTok has implemented stronger age verification.

Ofcom Chief Executive, Dame Melanie Dawes said:

Today is a major milestone in the mission to create a safer life online for children and adults in the UK. Everyone at Ofcom feels privileged to be entrusted with this important role, and we're ready to start implementing these new laws.

Very soon after the bill receives Royal Assent, we'll consult on the first set of standards that we'll expect tech firms to meet in tackling illegal online harms, including child sexual exploitation, fraud and terrorism.

While the bill has been in progress, the government has been working closely with Ofcom to ensure changes will be implemented as quickly as possible when it becomes law.

The regulator will immediately begin work on tackling illegal content and protecting children's safety, with its consultation process launching in the weeks after Royal Assent. It will then take a phased approach to bringing the Online Safety Bill's into force.

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Britain makes internet safer, as Online Safety Bill finished and ready to become law

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Online Safety Bill passes its final Parliamentary debate and is now ready to become law.

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Sharp divisions between advocates for children's safety online have emerged as a historic bill has gathered enough votes to pass in the US Senate. Amendments to the bill have appeased some former detractors who now support the legislation; its fiercest critics, however, have become even more entrenched in their demands for changes.

The Kids Online Safety Act (Kosa), introduced more than two years ago, reached 60 backers in the Senate mid-February. A number of human rights groups still vehemently oppose the legislation, underscoring ongoing divisions among experts, lawmakers and advocates over how to keep young people safe online.

"The Kids Online Safety Act is our best chance to address social media's toxic business model, which has claimed far too many children's lives and helped spur a mental health crisis," said Josh Golin, the executive director of the children's online safety group Fairplay.

Opponents say alterations to the bill are not enough and that their concerns remain unchanged.

"A one-size-fits-all approach to kids' safety won't keep kids safe," said Aliya Bhatia, a policy analyst at the Center for Democracy and Technology. "This bill still rests on the premise that there is consensus around the types of content and design features that cause harm. There isn't, and this belief will limit young people from exercising their agency and accessing the communities they need to online."

What is the Kids Online Safety Act?

Sponsored by the Connecticut Democrat Richard Blumenthal and the Tennessee Republican Marsha Blackburn, Kosa would be the biggest change to American tech legislation in decades. The bill would require platforms like Instagram and TikTok to mitigate online dangers via design changes or opt-outs of algorithm-based recommendations, among other measures.Enforcement would demand much more fundamental modifications to social networks than current regulations require.

When it was first introduced in 2022, Kosa prompted an open letter signed by more than 90 human rights organizations united in strong opposition. The groups warned the bill could be "weaponized" by conservative state attorneys general - who were charged with determining what content is harmful - to censor online resources and information for queer and trans youth or people seeking reproductive healthcare.

In response to the critiques, Blumenthal amended the bill, notably shifting some enforcement decisions to the Federal Trade Commission rather than state attorneys general. At least seven LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations that previously spoke out against the bill dropped their opposition citing the "considerable changes" to Kosa that "significantly mitigate the risk of it being misused to suppress LGBTQ+ resources or stifle young people's access to online communities", including Glaad, the Human Rights Campaign and the Trevor Project.

To the critics who now support Kosa, the amendments by Blumenthal solved the legislation's major issues. However, the majority of those who signed the initial letter still oppose the bill, including the Center for Democracy and Technology, the Electronic Frontier Foundation, Fight for the Future, and the ACLU.

"New bill text, same problems," said Adam Kovacevich, chief executive of the tech industry policy coalition the Chamber of Progress, which is supported by corporate partners including Airbnb, Amazon, Apple and Snap. "The changes don't address a lot of its potential abuses." Snap and X, formerly Twitter, have publicly supported Kosa.

Is Kosa overly broad or a net good?

Kovacevich said the latest changes fail to address two primary concerns with the legislation: that vague language will lead social media platforms to over-moderate to restrict their liability, and that allowing state attorneys general to enforce the legislation could enable targeted and politicized content restriction even with the federal government assuming more of the bill's authority.

The vague language targeted by groups that still oppose the bill is the "duty of care" provision, which states that social media firms have "a duty to act in the best interests of a minor that uses the platform's products or services" - a goal subject to an enforcer's interpretation. The legislation would also require platforms to mitigate harms by creating "safeguards for minors", but with little direction as to what content would be deemed harmful, opponents argue the legislation is likely to encourage companies to more aggressively filter content - which could lead to unintended consequences.

"Rather than protecting children, this could impact access to protected speech, causing a chilling effect for all users and incentivizing companies to filter content on topics that disproportionately impact marginalized communities," said Prem M Trivedi, policy director at the Open Technology Institute, which opposes Kosa.

Trivedi said he and other opponents fear that important but charged topics like gun violence and racial justice could be interpreted as having a negative impact on young users, and be filtered out by algorithms. Many have expressed concern that LGBTQ+-related topics would be targeted by conservative regulators, leading to fewer available resources for young users who rely on the internet to connect with their communities. Blackburn, the bill's sponsor, has previously stated her intention to "protect minor children from the transgender [sic] in this culture and that influence".

An overarching concern among opponents of the bill is that it is too broad in scope, and that more targeted legislation would achieve similar goals with fewer unintended impacts, said Bhatia.

"There is a belief that there are these magic content silver bullets that a company can apply, and that what stands between a company applying those tools and not applying those tools is legislation," she said. "But those of us who study the impact of these content filters still have reservations about the bill."

Many with reservations acknowledge that it does feature broadly beneficial provisions, said Mohana Mukherjee, visiting faculty at George Washington University, who has studied technology's impact on teenagers and young adults. She said the bill's inclusion of a "Kosa council" - a coalition of stakeholders including parents, academic experts, health professionals and young social media users to provide advice on how best to implement the legislation - is groundbreaking.

"It's absolutely crucial to involve young adults and youth who are facing these problems, and to have their perspective on the legislation," she said.

Kosa's uncertain future

Kosa is likely to be voted on in the Senate this session, but other legislation targeting online harms threatens its momentum. A group of senators is increasingly pushing a related bill that would ban children under the age of 13 from social media. Its author, Brian Schatz, has requested a panel that would potentially couple the bill with Kosa. Blumenthal, the author of Kosa, has cautioned that such a move could slow the passage of both bills and spoke out against the markup.

"We should move forward with the proposals that have the broadest support, but at the same time, have open minds about what may add value," he said, according to the Washington Post. "This process is the art of addition not subtraction often ... but we should make sure that we're not undermining the base of support."

The bill's future in the House is likewise unclear. Other bills with similar purported goals are floating around Congress, including the Invest in Child Safety Act - a bill introduced by the Democratic senator Ron Wyden of Oregon and the representatives Anna G Eshoo and Brian Fitzpatrick - which would invest more than $5bn into investigating online sexual abusers.

With so much legislation swirling around the floors of Congress, it's unclear when - or if - a vote will be taken on any of them. But experts agree that Congress has at least begun trying to bolster children's online safety.

"This is an emotionally fraught topic - there are urgent online safety issues and awful things that happen to our children at the intersection of the online world and the offline world," said Trivedi. "In an election year, there are heightened pressures on everyone to demonstrate forward movement on issues like this."

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'New text, same problems': inside the fight over child online safety laws

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Even after an overhaul of the Kids Online Safety Act brings it closer to passing, lawmakers, backers and critics are still at odds

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https://metro.co.uk/2024/02/16/whatsapp-making-a-big-change-t-cs-will-affect

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Here are the instructions of how to activate them from internet matters , updated yesterday

https://www.internetmatters.org/parental-controls/gaming-consoles/roblox-parental-controls/

There is also a 15 page PDF you can download - not one button to press sadly but it does take you through all the settings really clearly .

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What are the new Roblox parental controls and how will they affect users? | ITV News

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The new changes are being introduced to address parents’ concerns around safety, engagement and communication on the platform after it was heavily criticised. | ITV National News

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Have you ever binge-watched videos online that have become more and more weird? Ever wondered why this might be? Joe Tasker explains with a trip ‘down the rabbit hole’.

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My Family’s Digital Toolkit - tailored online safety advice | Internet Matters

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Every child is different with their own online interests and activities. We created a simple tool to provide tailored advice to meet family’s digital needs.

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Life Online - What Grownups Just Don't Get!

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Parents that decide their child under 13 (or the relevant age in their country/region) is ready to explore YouTube can set up a supervised experience on YouTube linked to their own account. This limits the videos a child can find and watch to a parent-selected content setting. Learn more about supervised accounts.
How to set up a supervised experience for your child on YouTube
Create a supervised account

To create a supervised account, you have 4 options:

1. Create and manage a Google Account for your child with Family Link. If you already manage a Google Account for your child with Family Link, skip to Step 2.

2. Set up access for your child using one of the following options:
Option 1: From the YouTube app on a parent's device

Option 2: On the web at families.youtube.com

1. Go to families.youtube.com

2. Sign in to the Google Account you use as a parent manager of your child's account.

3. Select a child from your family group and follow the next steps.

Option 3: From the Family Link app

1. Sign in to your Family Link app .

2. Select your child.

3. Tap Manage Settings.

4. Tap Settings on YouTube and follow the next steps.

Option 4: From the YouTube app on a child's device

1. Sign in to YouTube on your child's device with their Google Account that is linked to yours.

2. Select GET STARTED and follow the next steps. You'll need to enter your own Google Account password to give permission.

3. Make sure your child's YouTube app is up to date. Sign your child in to YouTube on their computer, Android, or iPhone or iPad, and they can begin their supervised experience.

Change your child's supervised account settings

Content settings

You can change the content setting for your child's supervised account at any time.

1. Sign in to YouTube.

2. Go to your profile picture .

3. Select Settings .

4. Select Parent Settings.

5. Select your child's account you'd like to edit.

6. Under YouTube Settings, select EDIT next to "Content Settings".

7. Choose a content setting for your child and choose SELECT to save.

Pause watch history

You can stop new video views from recommending other videos.

Pause search history

You can stop new search terms from recommending other videos.

Clear history

You can clear the watch and search history made with your child's account across all of their linked devices.

Block videos
Blocking YouTube channels on supervised accounts
If you set up a supervised experience for your child's Google Account, you can block channels for them on YouTube. You'll need to use your linked parent account to block channels.

To block a specific channel:

1. Go to the channel page for the YouTube channel you want to block.

2. Go to the "About" tab on the channel page.

3. Click Report user .

4. Select Block channel for kids.This option will only surface if you already manage a Google Account for your child with Family Link.

5. A pop-up may surface alerting you that similar videos may still be available on other channels. Click GOT IT.

6. Select BLOCK next to the child you'd like to block this channel for.

7. BLOCK will change to UNBLOCK, giving you the option to undo the action.

8. Click Done.

Unblock content

If you want to let your child watch a channel you've previously blocked for their supervised account, you can unblock that channel. You can also unblock all previously blocked content for your child. You'll need to use your linked parent account to unblock any content.

To unblock individual channels:

1. Go to the channel page for the YouTube channel you want to unblock.

2. Go to the "About" tab on the channel page.

3. Click Report user .

4. Select Block channel for kids.This option will only surface if you already manage a Google Account for your child with Family Link.

5. A pop-up may surface alerting you that similar videos may still be available on other channels. Click GOT IT.

6. Select UNBLOCK next to the child you'd like to unblock this channel for.

7. UNBLOCK will change to BLOCK, giving you the option to undo the action.

8. Click Done.

To unblock all channels and videos:

1. Make sure you're signed in to YouTube with the Google Account you use as a parent manager of your child's account.

2. Click your profile picture .

3. Click Settings .

4. Click Parent Settings.

5. Select your child.

6. Under GENERAL SETTINGS, click Unblock videos.

7. A pop-up may surface alerting you that all content you've blocked in YouTube and YouTube Kids will be unblocked. Click UNBLOCK.

Learn more about other ways to manage your child's recommendations and search results on YouTube.

If you find something you believe is inappropriate for YouTube, please report it.

Review child's watch history

To review your child's watch history in their supervised account:

1. On your child's device, go to the My Activity page.

2. Select "YouTube History".

3. Select "Manage activity".

4. Scroll to go to all past activity.

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Parents that decide their child under 13 (or the relevant age in their country/region) is ready to explore YouTube can set up a supervised experience on YouTube linked to their own account. This limits the videos a child can find and watch to a parent-selected content setting. Learn more about supervised accounts.

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Film and app reviews

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Common Sense Media: Age-Based Media Reviews for Families

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Common Sense Media is the leading source of entertainment and technology recommendations for families. Parents trust our expert reviews and objective advice.

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Head down to your local high street, and you might trawl a few shops in search of a new outfit.

In popular online game Roblox, you can do the same thing for your avatar by heading to in-game shop the "Catalog Avatar Creator experience".

It's been visited more than 1.6 billion times, making it one of the most popular online stores on Roblox.

But it wasn't created by a big global tech company - instead, it was built by 19-year-old Birmingham student Muneeb.

"A lot of people don't expect it because they don't think a young university student can be a popular game developer at the same time," Muneeb tells BBC Newsbeat.

Starting out as something he created in 2021 for a bit of fun, his app (known as an "experience" within Roblox) has quickly become a one-stop shop.

It essentially acts as a big digital department store for virtual fashion, where items can be bought with real-world money.

Dressing up your avatar is a big part of the Roblox platform, and some of the biggest brands in the world have cottoned on to the potentially lucrative partnerships this can spawn.

Though Roblox is free to play, in-game purchases such as clothes and accessories are a source of revenue for its makers, and with daily player counts estimated at more than 70 million, likely a big one.

Given the young audience Roblox attracts, this is also a source of criticism, particularly when stories about children racking up huge online spends hit the headlines.

Roblox says it's putting more guardrails and age checks in place to stop that from happening, while still promoting online shops.

Charging for in-game items can benefit creators like Muneeb, who can take a cut if their apps are successful.

Better than Gucci

And his app has definitely been a success.

This month, at the Roblox Innovation Awards, Muneeb's experience won in the Fashion category, beating off competition from huge global brands including Gucci and Karlie Kloss, something he calls "surreal".

"I did not expect to win that award by myself, but I'm so glad that people from the community have really enjoyed my creation," he says.

"You can go around and try on different items from different shops, and you can mix and match any of these items to create your dream look."

Muneeb says his success has been a surprise, as his creation started life as a "side project just for fun".

"But after I got a few hundred players, I started adding more updates," he says.

"It's just grown alongside the platform ever since."

The University of Birmingham computer science student reckons his virtual wardrobe has now expanded to included more than 10 million outfits.

Virtual fashion, real money

Paying for virtual fashion might sound strange, but Roblox internal communications director James Kay says some "don't realise how much value people place in their online identity".

He likens dressing a character, or avatar, to "opening your wardrobe in the real world and picking what you're going to wear" for some players.

James says creators like Muneeb have been paid more than $2bn since 2018.

But some have complained in the past about being paid with in-game currency Robux, instead of cash, saying it encourages people to keep money on the platform.

As with many other big online social platforms, Roblox depends on creators to make apps, games and experiences that people want to use.

Concerns have been raised that Roblox's reliance on the "creativity and labour" of children may result in exploitation.

"Our philosophy is about enabling our community to be creators," says James.

"I think they do a much better job that we would ever do because they'll think of things we haven't even though of."

He adds: "I think it's amazing that a university student from Birmingham, on his own, can build something that's had 1.6bn visits and we're really proud we've got this community that can do that."

Big brands are now contacting Muneeb asking for collaborations, raising his hopes that he can turn his online fashion experience into a full-time career after his studies.

"That's a whole new opportunity I'm excited about," says Muneeb.

What would be the dream brand to work with?

"Probably Nike, because I'm a huge fan. That'd be amazing," he says.

Listen to Newsbeat live at 12:45 and 17:45 weekdays - or listen back here.

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Roblox: How one student became a big name in virtual fashion

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Nineteen-year old Muneeb's in-game Roblox experience has been visited more than 1.6bn times

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Kaspersky Safe Kids (2022) | Parental Control Software | Kaspersky

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Protect your kids online and offline with Kaspersky Safe Kids. Our parental control software helps you manage all devices with flexible control and app usage plus tracks your child location.

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Video games age ratings explained - Internet Matters

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Video games age rating - Internet Matters | Find a list of the main age ratings to make an informed choice on which games are suitable for your child.

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‘Poisonous’: how WhatsApp is exposing UK school children to bullying and harmful content

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Teachers say they are powerless to deal with damaging elements of social media and are calling for more parental vigilance

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Jessie and friends - excellent to follow up at home 

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Jessie and friends - excellent to follow up at home 

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Before you watch Jessie & Friend s with your child

Before watching the Jessie & Friends animations with your child, read our advice on what else you can do to keep your child safe online.

Jessie & Friends is also available to watch with subtitles or with British Sign Language interpretations.

Jessie & Friends is a safe and age appropriate resource

The Jessie & Friends animations are age-appropriate and do not depict any situations where adults communicate with children online. Instead, they show safe, non-scary situations which help young viewers identify things which might worry them online. For example, in Episode 3 an older sister tricks three younger children into losing an online game. In this way young viewers learn how to identify online behaviour which is 'not right', and how to get help by telling an adult they trust. This learning will help keep them safe from many risky situations which they may encounter online.

Each animation has been specifically created for different age groups:

Episode 1 - Watching Videos (4-5 years)

The series begins with Jessie and her dog, named Dog, as they watch videos online using a tablet. Together they learn that while the internet can be enjoyable and fun, there are sometimes things online that can be upsetting or scary. Jessie learns that she can always speak to a grown-up who will be able to help her and put down the tablet if there is anything she sees or hears online that makes her feel worried, scared or sad.

Episode 2 - Sharing Pictures (5-6 years)

Here we meet Mo and Tia, who together with Jessie complete the friendship trio. At Tia's birthday party they use Tia's older brother Kyle's mobile to take fun photos of themselves. The trio agree to send their photos to Tia's nan but also a few other people whose numbers are saved in Kyle's phone. When the photos are shared with other children at their school without their permission, they turn to their teacher for help. The three friends learn about how images can get shared more widely than you first expect, and the importance of consent.

Episode 3 - Playing Games (6-7 years)

Jessie, Tia and Mo are playing the exciting online game Avelzon where they are trying to beat their nemesis Dr Yekl. A 'friendly' unknown gamer starts chatting to Jessie in the game and offers to help the 'Supertotalmegaheros' in their quest. However Jessie soon discovers that the gamer's intention is not to help the friends, but to trick them into losing instead. Jessie, Tia and Mo learn that when playing online games they should keep their personal information private, only talk to people they know in real life and that they can tell an adult they trust if anything happens that makes them worried.

What next?

Visit the CEOP Education 4-7s website with your child. Featuring characters from Jessie & Friends, the 4-7s website helps children to recognise worrying or scary situations online through four interactive badges covering: watching videos, sharing pictures, online gaming and chatting online. Children collect stars and certificates by answering questions to help characters Jessie, Tia and Mo to 'Tell A Grown Up' when something appens online that is worrying, scary or upsetting.

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Before watching the Jessie & Friends animations with your child, read our advice on what else you can do to keep your child safe online. Jessie & Friends is also available to watch with subtitles or with British Sign Language interpretations.

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Roblox classified as ! - Parental Guidance

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Roblox classified as ! - Parental Guidance

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Earlier this month, PEGI decided to change the age rating for Roblox. As of now, Roblox is considered as a platform with diverse content rather than an individual game product. As a result, the PEGI 7 age rating was replaced by the Parental Guidance label (an icon displaying an exclamation mark, always accompanied by the ‘parental guidance recommended’ text descriptor).

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Digital Media Literacy: Why We Can't Stop Scrolling

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/en/digital-media-literacy/always-on-in-a-digital-world/content/

Why we can't stop scrolling

When studying behavior, psychologists may use a device called a Skinner box. Essentially, a Skinner box is a cage containing a mouse, a lever, and a delivery chute. Sometimes when the mouse presses the lever, it's rewarded with food. But other times, nothing happens. The mouse learns that if it keeps on pushing the lever, it might get something tasty. So it pushes, and pushes, and pushes, until it gets more food.

Whenever we scroll endlessly through social media posts, looking for something exciting, we're effectively doing the same thing.

Watch the video below to learn how social media apps grab our attention and keep us hooked.

The digital lever of social media

We're obviously a lot different from mice, but the principle behind both the lever-pushing and the scrolling is the same: The behavior is repeated until some kind of reward is delivered.

In the case of our social media scrolling, the reward is a post that we find to be funny, entertaining, or something we just plain like. If we find something worthwhile, we stop scrolling long enough to take it in, and then it's right back to scrolling, in search of the next post that scratches our itch.

Sound familiar?

Infinite scroll

Social media feeds are infinite by design; you could scroll forever and never run out of posts.

This scrolling can sometimes feel automatic or mindless, more a result of conditioning than a constant choice. This leads us to spend more time on social media than we intend to, sometimes more than we want to. And that can cause some issues.

Let's say you wake up, get on your phone and start scrolling. Scroll too long and you might be late for work. In more extreme cases, it could cause you to neglect other aspects of your life or experience anxiety when you're away from your phone.

Your personalized feed

When you interact with posts on social media, you're providing data to these sites. They then take this data and use it to further personalize your feed, showing content and ads similar to what you've engaged with previously. This isn't necessarily a bad thing. A more personalized feed can introduce you to content you may not have seen otherwise.

However, this design also reinforces our scrolling behavior and greatly increases the amount of time we spend using social media. After all, this is more or less their goal. They're simply businesses who want their users to spend more time using their app or website.

The good news is that we aren't mice. We may push on that theoretical bar much like they do, but we possess the intelligence they lack. It's perfectly okay to use social media, but it's also important to be aware of when we're overdoing it. It may not always be easy to break free from the grasp of the infinite scroll, but it starts with awareness.

/en/digital-media-literacy/why-we-cant-just-pick-a-movie/content/

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Digital Media Literacy: Why We Can't Stop Scrolling

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en/digital-media-literacy/always-on-in-a-digital-world/content/ When studying behavior, psychologists may use a device called a Skinner box. Essentially, a Skinner box is a cage containing a mouse, a lever, and a delivery chute. Sometimes when the mouse presses the lever, it's rewarded with food. But other times, nothing happens.

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NCA website with advice and information

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Access information and resources for parents and carers on keeping your child safer online including conversation starters and video guides.

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CEOP is a law enforcement agency and is here to keep children and young people safe from sexual exploitation and abuse. Please complete the below to start your report to one of CEOP’s Child Protection Advisors.

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Tackling online hate interactive quiz | Internet Matters

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The Tackling Online Hate quiz created with Samsung challenges children to stop online hate by being upstanders.

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To find what you're after, a search engine will scan its index of webpages for content related to your search.

A search engine makes this index using a program called a 'web crawler'. This automatically browses the web and stores information about the pages it visits.

Every time a web crawler visits a webpage, it makes a copy of it and adds its URL to an index. Once this is done, the web crawler follows all the links on the page, repeating the process of copying, indexing and then following the links. It keeps doing this, building up a huge index of many webpages as it goes.

Some websites stop web crawlers from visiting them. These pages will be left out of the index, along with pages that no-one links to.

The information that the web crawler puts together is then used by search engines. It becomes the search engine's Every webpage recommended by a search engine has been visited by a web crawler.

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To find what you're after, a search engine will scan its index of webpages for content related to your search. A search engine makes this index using a program called a 'web crawler'. This automatically browses the web and stores information about the pages it visits.

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Parenting in a digital world

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New Library | Parent Zone | At the heart of digital family life

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Skip to content

Resources

Three resources that offer practical tips and advice on different aspects of keeping your child safe online.

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Key downloadable resources to support parents and carers.

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From the Blog

Blog

Who are you really talking to online?

The internet is a fantastic innovation that has, in many ways, made life more convenient, given us more choice, brought enrichment and for many, made...

Our Partners & Supporters

Our Mission

Our Mission

Get Safe Online is the UK's leading source of unbiased, factual and easy-to-understand information on online safety.

Our website is a unique resource providing practical advice on how to protect yourself, your computers and mobile devices and your business against fraud, identity theft, viruses and many other problems encountered online. It contains guidance on many other related subjects too - including performing backups and how to avoid theft or loss of your computer, smartphone or tablet.
Read more about who we are

Get Safe Online around the world

Get Safe Online has a presence in 24 countries around the world. Each country benefits from its own Get Safe Online website, customised to deliver the best and most relevant experience for individuals and businesses. Many of the countries also have a community of Get Safe Online Ambassadors and Advocates working on our behalf.
Read more about our International Sites

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Get Safe Online | The UK's leading Online Safety Advice Resource

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The UK's leading online safety advice resource. Providing free, impartial internet safety advice to help keep you and your family safe online.

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Social media can be a great way to explore the online world. You can talk to friends and family, share and watch videos, post photos and join communities. Like with lots of good things, there are also risks. In this game, explore Jacie’s ReelLife profile and try to identify the different risks.

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Before you submit a report to us, it is essential that you have reported the material to the social media service directly using their online tools, at least 48 hours ago. You can find information on how to do this by clicking on the tabs below.

It is also important to remember that we can only submit reports on specific platforms, about the following 8 harms:

Threats

Impersonation

Bullying & Harassment

Self-harm or Suicide

Online Abuse

Violent Content

Unwanted Sexual Advances

Pornographic Content

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Designed and Developed by South West Grid for Learning (https://swgfl.org.uk/)

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Before you submit a report to us, it is essential that you have reported the material to the social media service directly using their online tools, at least 48 hours ago. You can find information on how to do this by clicking on the tabs below.

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It might seem like the news effects everyone equally. On TV or in a newspaper, journalists and editors decide the kinds of stories and reports that appear, meaning that everyone who watches or reads these news sources will be seeing the same thing. But when we see news stories on social media, the experience is completely different.

Radzi Chinyanganya from BBC My World looks at who decides what makes the news, from offline to online sources.

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How algorithms and filter bubbles decide what we see on social media

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It might seem like the news effects everyone equally. On TV or in a newspaper, journalists and editors decide the kinds of stories and reports that appear, meaning that everyone who watches or reads these news sources will be seeing the same thing. But when we see news stories on social media, the experience is completely different.

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Set up parental controls on devices and platforms | Internet Matters

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Set up parental controls on a range of devices and platforms to help children develop key online safety and digital literacy skills.

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Content warning: This section includes graphic sexual descriptions.

A nude image must include one of the following to be removed:

nude or semi-nude sexual posing

someone nude or semi-nude touching themselves in a sexual way

any sexual activity involving a child

someone hurting someone else sexually

sexual activity that includes animals.

Where possible, it is better if you can upload the original image or video, or a copy of it, rather than a photograph of it on another screen. This helps IWF find the image more accurately.

If you want to report something that isn't a nude image or video to see if it can be taken down, you can see more information from Childline about deleting things shared online here. You can make a report to CEOP, the part of the police who are there to support children and young people online. You can always speak to a Childline counsellor.

Confirming your age with ID gives us more legal powers to remove images from as many places as possible. If you don't have ID or feel comfortable using it, we can still take down images, but from fewer places.

You can use the following ID to confirm your identity using Yoti:

passport or biometric residence permit

driving licence and provisional licence

Young Scot Card (Yoti app only)

CitizenCard (Yoti app only).

If you don't have any of these, you can get a young person's ID card. You'll be able to get this for £5 with the promo code NSPCC5. Make sure you choose 'Yoti CitizenCard' on the first page.

Whatever ID you use, please make sure that it is valid and in-date.

IWF will read all reports within one working day, from Monday to Friday. The time it takes to get your image removed from the internet can be different depending on where the image is hosted.

If the image is on a UK-based website it can often be removed within 2-3 hours. Unfortunately, in some countries it can take longer - sometimes days or weeks. But IWF analysts will always try to make sure it happens as soon as possible.

We'll do our best to let you know once your image has been removed by sending a message to your  Childline locker.

We recommend you check your locker every few days after you make a report. This is so you can see if your image has been removed, and so Childline can let you know if IWF need more information to be able to remove it. Remember, IWF can't contact you directly.

If you need support to help you cope while you're waiting, you can also speak to a Childline counsellor any time.

When you use Report Remove, your image or video is shared with the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF). They'll work to get your image removed from the internet. See 'Who are the IWF?' to learn about how that happens.

Most of the time, nobody will know that you've made a report and your report won't be shared with anyone else.

If the police already have the image or video you report, then they might investigate what's happened. Only the police can decide if they'll need to tell someone else.

The police might already have your image or video if:

someone has reported it on another website and that website passed it to the police

they're investigating someone who had or has the image or video already (if someone is found to have your image and is breaking the law - regardless of how, it may be included as evidence in a criminal case against that person

someone else reported the image to them directly.

Remember that the police are there to protect you, not to get you into trouble. If the image has been reported somewhere else and you're worried, you can always  speak to a Childline counsellor.

If you have parental controls on your phone your parent or carer might see when you want to download a new app, so they might get a notification if you try to download Yoti and want to know why. To avoid this, use the second option to prove your age (called 'ID verification').

The IWF can remove images that are public or available to anyone on the internet. However, they won't be able to remove images or videos on encrypted networks like WhatsApp, or which are saved on a person's phone or computer.

If you're over 13 and you've made a report without using ID, then there may be some sites the IWF can't take images down from.

If you don't use ID the IWF can help by removing your image or video from most sites. If you do use ID, the IWF can remove from all sites

The Internet Watch Foundation (IWF), a UK charity, are there to help remove illegal nude images of under 18s posted online.

Once the IWF has confirmed your nude image is against the law and can be removed from the internet they give it a digital fingerprint called a 'hash'. The hash can be used to find your image online even if it has been cropped or slightly changed.

Sharing just the hash with certain trusted companies and organisations, means that technology can be used to find online matches of the image - this is key to trying to stop it appearing in different places on the internet. Even though the hashes and images are shared with UK police, this is so that if they came across the image some other way, they'd know that you also reported it yourself. Report Remove was developed with the full support of the police and no one involved wants to get you into trouble for sharing the image so it can be removed.

Different companies use the hash in different ways. For example, if an illegal image match is found to have been shared by an online account holder, a company may decide to close that person's account as posting illegal images will be against the company's terms and conditions. If your image(s) are found on or are linked to your online user account(s) it may be possible for the company to associate your profile with the images.

The companies that take the hashes trust the Report Remove process, however if they have significant concerns that the person in the image may not be the person who was age verified, they may get in touch with the IWF to raise their concerns.

There are 3 organisations that help you report your image using Report Remove. These are Childline, the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) and also Yoti if you are 13 or older and choose to prove your age using ID. All of them have a responsibility to keep all of your personal information safe.

1. We'll ask you to choose your age range (under 13, 13-15, 16-17, 18 and over). If you're under 13, you'll go straight to step 3. If you're aged 13 or older, us at Childline will ask you if you have access to ID to prove your age. If you do, you'll be asked to visit Yoti. The only information we will share with Yoti is that you are wanting to prove your age to use Report Remove.

2. Once you prove your age using Yoti, you will come back to Report Remove on Childline. The only information Yoti will share with Childline is confirmation that you're younger or older than 18.

3. We'll then ask you to create or sign in to a Childline account. Then you'll go to the IWF website to share the content you want removed. Childline will only share the information below with IWF:

that you're younger than 18 (either confirmed by Yoti, or that you told us you are younger than 18),

the age range you selected at the start,

a unique number that is created when you use Report Remove.

4. After your report has been passed to the IWF, they will tell Childline if they were able to work to take the images or video down from the internet, and why. This is so Childline can let you know what happened. IWF may also tell Childline some information about what you reported, to help them know how best to support you and keep you safe. IWF will never share an image or video that you report with Childline.

Information you give to Childline
Any information you give Childline will always be treated carefully and in line with our  Privacy Policy. This means that any information you give us as part of Report Remove will only be used to help the IWF review your report and to keep you safe. This will include the age range that you select and a unique number that's created when you go onto the IWF website. We will not share any of your information with Yoti.
Information you give to IWF
The only information you will give to the IWF are the images, videos or URLs you report. There is space to add information such as where the image or video is on a webpage.

They will process this in line with their privacy policy.

Nude images and videos that IWF decide are illegal may be kept by the IWF for up to 2 years. This is because there is an agreement with the Police and CPS (Crime Prosecution Service), called a 'Memorandum of Understanding' (MOU). Illegal images are given a hash (a string of numbers that are like a digital fingerprint). The hash is shared with organisations such as technology companies who host online content, so that they can look for the image and take it down. The actual image is not shared with these companies. The image and the hash are shared with the police who store it on their Child Abuse Image Database. Any images or videos that they decide are not illegal may be kept for a maximum of 6 months for quality checking and any follow up questions. They will then be deleted. Sometimes, even if it's decided that the content isn't illegal, IWF can share the content URL with some industry members to see if they can take the content down.

If you report a URL (link to a webpage), and choose not to prove your age using ID, IWF will still check to see if the content is something they can take action on. If so IWF may share the URL with South West Grid for Learning (SWGfL), who are a charity who help people who have had intimate images of them shared online. SWGfL will never view the content on a URL that is shared with them. SWGfL send a notice to internet companies that host the webpage you reported, to tell them to take it down. This is because IWF can only send a notice to companies to take a specific webpage down when it is confirmed it is of a child. SWGfL can also send notice to take down content, but they do not need to prove it is of a child. This helps get your images or videos from even more places.

Childline will never see what pictures, videos or URLs you share with the IWF. The only information the IWF shares with Childline apart from your case number is whether or not they could take down your images or videos, and why, so we can let you know, as well as information about the image or video that you reported that will help Childline to support you and keep you safe.

Information you give to Yoti
You can choose to use Yoti to confirm your age if you're over 13. This may involve taking a selfie, so Yoti know it is you who are proving your age, and uploading a picture of some ID. Any personal data you send Yoti - like your photo, date of birth or address - is scrambled with a high level of encryption so that even if it was stolen, no one could use it to identify you. The only information Yoti shares with Childline is confirmation that you're under or over 18.

You can see Yoti's privacy policy here, and more information about their age portal here, which is what is used in Report Remove to prove your age.

If you're using the Yoti app, Yoti may use the selfie, month and year of birth you add to the Yoti app to improve its age estimation technology. You can opt out from this in the More> My Data> Biometric consent menu of the app.

There are lots of ways to get help with your report:

if you're having problems with Yoti, you can contact them directly in the app.

if you need any support with making your report send a message to Childline with the title 'Report Remove'.

Childline counsellors are always here for you and want to help. And you can  talk to them  about anything you're going through.
I have a technical issue, what should I do?

Try using your default browser and close private browsing if you're using the Yoti app.

See if you can log in to your locker and send an email to Childline explaining your problem and the team will be able to help.

Make sure the ID you're using is valid and in-date (not expired).

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Use Report Remove to remove a nude image shared online

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These age ratings provide guidance to consumers, parents in particular, to help them decide whether or not to buy a particular product for a child.

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Two levels of information as a guide : The PEGI age labels

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Internet watch foundation - report illegal images 

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Internet watch foundation - report illegal images 

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We take reports of child sexual abuse images hosted on the open internet. When an image is sent within a messaging app with end-to-end encryption (such as WhatsApp), we can't access this information.

We take reports of images showing erotic posing; solo masturbation by a child; non-penetrative or penetrative sexual activity involving children or both children and adults; or sadism or penetration of or by an animal.

We take reports of non-photographic images of child sexual abuse, such as computer-generated images. The images we can take action on must be of children, pornographic, grossly offensive, and focus on a child's genitals or depict sexual activity involving or in the presence of a child.

More info

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We take reports of child sexual abuse images hosted on the open internet. When an image is sent within a messaging app with end-to-end encryption (such as WhatsApp), we can't access this information. We take reports of images showing erotic posing; solo masturbation by a child; non-penetrative or penetrative sexual activity involving children or both children and adults; or sadism or penetration of or by an animal.

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Book to purchase about supporting autistic children with being online 

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Book to purchase about supporting autistic children with being online 

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Children and teens with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) can be particularly vulnerable to online threats and dangers.

Nicola Lonie's practical handbook (updated in 2023) explains how you can help your child to navigate the internet safely.
Providing all the information needed to monitor, educate, and guide your child or teen's technology use, this book discusses key concerns such as:

The risks and the warning signs to look out for are clearly explained alongside useful advice and examples from real-life experiences.

The practical solutions in this book will give you peace of mind and ensure that your ASD child and/or teen can enjoy the educational and social benefits of the internet in safety.

Nicola Lonie has over 20 years' experience working in the Autism field as IT Specialist & Webmaster for an autism charity and then as Online Safety Consultant for parents and carers of Autistic children & teens.

As well as working on a wide variety of Autism projects over the years, she has designed and presented online safety courses to children with Autism and ADHD in schools.

The first edition of Online Safety for Children & Teens on the Autism Spectrum was published in 2015.

She is the mother of an adult son with autism and currently Director and Founder of VR4Autism - bringing the educational and social benefits of fun fully immersive and interactive Virtual Reality to the Autism Home.

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Online Safety for Children & Teens on the Autism Spectrum: A Parent's & Carer's Guide

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Buy Online Safety for Children & Teens on the Autism Spectrum: A Parent's & Carer's Guide by Lonie, Nicola (ISBN: 9798386671648) from Amazon's Book Store. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.

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Kate Winslet: Parents feel powerless over children's social media use

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Kate Winslet on her film about social media

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Kate Winslet on her film about social media

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By Laura Kuenssberg & Rob Corp

Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg

The government should make social media firms enforce age limits to help tackle their impact on children's mental health, actress Kate Winslet has said.

Speaking to the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, she said parents feel "utterly powerless" about how to help their children navigate social media.

Winslet said security checks could be more rigorous and those in power "should step up" to protect children.

She was speaking ahead of the launch of her new Channel 4 film I Am Ruth.

The feature-length drama sees Winslet playing opposite her real-life daughter Mia Threapleton as the mother of a teenager whose mental health begins to suffer as she becomes increasingly consumed by the pressures of social media.

Winslet said the decision to focus on children's mental health followed a conversation with the film's creator Dominic Savage about how parents can help "when they can clearly see there's a problem".

But she said that the drama had to be about more than a child obsessed with their phone.

It had to cover "what's actually going on with that phone, how it impacts on their self-esteem, how it impacts on eating habits, their mental state in terms of thinking about things like self-harm," Winslet said.

In the two-hour drama, to be shown on Channel 4 on Thursday 8 December, Winslet plays Ruth who is a single mother of two, including 17-year-old Freya.

The film shows Freya becoming less communicative and falling behind at school as she retreats further into herself as her relationship with social media becomes increasingly destructive.

The world of social media is "frightening to parents because we don't really know what's there", Winslet said.

"We don't know really what's going on in their friendship groups anymore because so much of it is actually built on phones, inside phones.

"This world that you can burrow deeper and deeper into it, and it becomes darker and trickier and much, much harder for children to navigate.

"I think because people, young children, are having phones at a much earlier age, they're able to access things that emotionally they're just not equipped or sophisticated enough to know how to process."

Asked whether she thought there should be more legal regulation of social media, Winslet said she struggled with social media and its impact on teenage mental health.

"I do wish that our government would crack down on it. I do wish that there would be certain platforms that were banned before a certain age. I wish that security checks would be much more rigorous," she said.

She said there should be "more protection and accountability" because parents "are left flailing".

"I just think that the people who know that they could do better to protect our children should just be doing that. Whoever those people are, they know who they are, they should just step up and do better," she said.

Winslet's comment come as the government is accused of watering down legislation aimed at regulating internet content.

In the past week, ministers have dropped plans from the Online Safety Bill which would require technology firms to take down legal but harmful material.

Ian Russell, the father of teenager Molly Russell, who ended her life after viewing suicide and self-harm content online, said the bill had been watered down and the decision might have been made for political reasons to help it pass more quickly.

In a statement, Culture Secretary Michelle Donelan told BBC News that "unregulated social media is hurting our children and it must end".

She added that the "strengthened Online Safety Bill" she is bringing back to Parliament "will allow parents to see and act on the dangers sites pose to young people".

"Young people will be safeguarded, criminality stamped out and adults given control over what they see and engage with online," Ms Donelan said.

See Laura Kuenssberg's interview with Kate Winslet in full this Sunday, 4 December

Also on the show is cabinet minister Nadhim Zahawi and Labour's shadow education secretary Bridget Phillipson

Watch Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg on BBC One and on BBC iPlayer from 09:00 GMT

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Kate Winslet: Parents feel powerless over children's social media use

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By Laura Kuenssberg & Rob Corp Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg The government should make social media firms enforce age limits to help tackle their impact on children's mental health, actress Kate Winslet has said. Speaking to the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, she said parents feel "utterly powerless" about how to help their children navigate social media.

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Age restrictions

In Europe and the UK, the minimum age of use for WhatsApp is 16 years old. It had previously dropped to 13 years old but in April 2018 returned to 16, as a response to data-protection legislation.

Like many age restrictions on social media apps, some children may choose to ignore this and sign up for WhatsApp when they're younger.

WhatsApp's main purpose is to send messages to friends. It isn't public in the same way that Twitter is, and people can only message friends who are already added on their phone. As long as a child only has trusted people as contacts on their phone, it is a relatively safe social media app.

The main thing to discuss with them is how to act in group chats, as here people not in their contacts will be able to see all the messages and send them messages.

Group chats

The group chat function allows up to 512 people to chat in one conversation stream. Each group is set up by one person, known as the group admin, who is the only person who can add or remove participants and change or add further group administrators.

Anybody in the group, even if they're not one of your phone contacts, will be able to see messages that you post, and you will be able to see theirs. If you are added to a group with someone you have blocked, that person will still be able to contact you in the group chat.

You can't always control if you're added to a group chat; but remind children that they can always control their own participation within it - they can leave whenever they want to.

To do this, when on the group's page, tap the three dots in the top right (or the name of the group at the top of the screen on an iPhone), then tap Group info, then EXIT GROUP in the red box at the bottom of the screen (or scroll down to Exit Group on an iPhone).

'View Once' messages

WhatsApp also allows you to send images and videos which can only be viewed once, and this can be done by tapping the 'View Once' button on the image or video you wish to send. All photos and videos sent this way won't be saved to the recipients photo library.

Edited messages

In May 2023 WhatsApp announced that they would be introducing the ability for users to easily edit their messages for up to 15 minutes after sending.

Although messages which have been changed will be accompanied by an 'edited' note next to them, users will no longer be able to see what the message said previously.

WhatsApp haven't announced if the platform themselves will keep a history of edits. If there's no way of seeing the previous content of a message (besides a screenshot at the time of receiving the message) then this will mean that it's more difficult to have evidence of messages which are harassing or involve bullying.

It may also mean that children are more prone to send a hurtful message if they believe they can quickly edit it afterwards (and avoid repercussions).

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Age restrictions In Europe and the UK, the minimum age of use for WhatsApp is 16 years old. It had previously dropped to 13 years old but in April 2018 returned to 16, as a response to data-protection legislation.

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Five things you really need to know about AI - BBC