Google to ban “Sugar daddy” apps  

  • Google Play is changing its inappropriate-content policy from the 1st of September to ban apps promoting “sugar dating” or “compensated sexual relationships” alongside Google’s newly announced privacy policies.  
  • These often involve older men offering money and gifts in exchange for relationships with young women, though not always involving sex. 
  • Several apps have been identified on the Play Store that facilitate these relationships  
  • This decision may be motivated by US legislation that threatens to make platforms liable for facilitating prostitution. 
  • For information on how to keep young people safe on dating apps, our guide can be found here. 
  • The full story can be found here.  

Summer school catch-up classes not up to scratch  

  • Shadow education secretary, Kate Green has flagged concerns over the scheme for catch-up education classes following problems caused by children missing school due to COVID-19.  
  • This follows yesterday’s news on using social media as supplemental education on social issues and the call for a home-school register earlier in the week.  
  • The Department of Education reported that 74% of all secondary schools in England are offering a mixture of academic and extracurricular activities before the new academic year in September following a £200m scheme.
  • Labour raises concerns that while 540,000 children are registered to take part, this is equivalent to just one in 15 state school pupils.
  • The Education Policy Institute estimates that a three-year funding package worth £13.5bn will be needed to fill the gaps in children’s learning resulting from the pandemic.  
  • Read the full story here.

Isle of Man to extend COVID-19 vaccines to over 12s  

  • Following advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, Isle of Man has been brought in line with decisions for the rest of the UK (more information here).  
  • Some children in the lsle of Man will be offered a coronavirus vaccine if they live with someone who is immunocompromised and those with underlying health conditions.  
  • This is in addition to clinically vulnerable 16 and 17-year-olds who are already eligible.  
  • Click here for our helpful short animation and activity explaining coronavirus to children.    
  • Read the full story here.

Defrocked cardinal charged with sexual abuse of teen boy