Spotify announces plans to clamp down on Covid misinformation

  • The streaming giant is working to add advisory warnings to any podcast on the platform that discusses Covid-19.
  • This follows the criticism of Joe Rogan’s content on the platform, where he has interviewed vaccine-sceptics.
  • The platform also announced the publication of its ‘Platform Rules’ – guidelines for creators on what content is considered unacceptable, with the promotion of deceptive medical information being included.
  • Learn more about this story on the BBC News website in the ‘Entertainment and Arts’ section.

Parents take school to High Court after years of bullying

  • The parents of Lauren Lelonek, who died by suicide in her home in 2016 after years of bullying, have taken legal action against her school and the police.
  • Lauren was physically abused, intimidated by threats from the bullies and targeted online.
  • The school has been accused of failing to take the correct steps to protect Lauren, with her parents also accusing the police of not properly investigating the harassment.
  • You can read the full story on The Times’ website.

1,000 days between rape offence and case completion in the UK

  • According to data released by The Ministry of Justice, the average time between offence and completion in rape cases in the UK was 1,020 days, up more than a quarter from the previous year.
  • This follows data released by the Home Office which revealed that only 1.3% of cases are being prosecuted and 576 cases wait more than a year to come to court.
  • Shadow Attorney General, Emily Thornberry, stated that “delays put trials at risk, threatening to rob survivors of the justice they deserve, and prolonging the trauma they are made to endure.’
  • Read more on this on The Guardian’s website.

UK children desperate for mental health support

  • From 2019 to 2021, the demand for the YoungMinds advice and guidance helpline increased by 48%.
  • The top three concerns among parents using this service were their child’s anxiety (47%), depression (24%) and problems with school (19%).
  • NHS data reveals that one in six children have a diagnosed mental health problem, up from one in nine before the beginning of the Covid-19 lockdowns.
  • Learn more about this story on The Express’ website.