Twitter have rewritten its rules on violent content
- Twitter have announced that they have officially launched a new ‘zero tolerance’ violent speech policy.
- The violent speech policy was previously expressed in abusive behaviour rules.
- The content of this policy is similar to its predecessor, however there are some differences and expansions.
- Wishing someone harm is covered under the new policy which includes examples such as, “hoping for others to die, suffer illness, traffic incidents or experience other physically harmful consequences”.
- The new policy also bans threats against “civilian homes and shelters or infrastructure”.
- It includes exceptions for speech related to video games and sporting events, as well as “satire, or artistic expression when the context is expressing a viewpoint” rather than intent for harm.
- For more on this story, please visit the Verge website.
The Number of UK children in food poverty nearly doubles in a year
- According to the Food Foundation thinktank the number of UK children experiencing food poverty has risen to nearly 4 million.
- 22% of households skipped meals, went hungry, or did not eat for a day in January 2023, a 12% increase from January 2022.
- 80% of people surveyed in England stated that they were in favour of extending free school meal requirements to those receiving universal credit.
- London’s Mayor, Sadiq Khan, announced all primary school pupils in London, will be offered free school lunches for a year from September.
- Wales has reported that they plan to provide free school lunches for primary school children by 2024, with this policy being rolled out in Scotland.
- Department of Education spokesperson stated that since 2010, children receiving free school meals has increased by 2 million, although 800,000 children in poverty are estimated to ‘not qualify’ for them.
- For more, see the Guardian website.
Drug Dealers in UK luring boys as young as 13 to work in gangs
- Drug dealers are using social media to target boys as young as 13 years old, enticing them with lucrative “business opportunities” that include cash, mobile phones, vapes and clothing.
- The British Transport Police (BTP) are launching a Snapchat campaign in some cities in England, to warn boys aged 13-15 about being involved in these gangs.
- The drug dealing gangs are requesting the carrying of illegal substances by the train network.
- Since the BTP was set up in 2019, they reported that the youngest boy they found being exploited was 13 years old, with the couple controlling him being sentenced to over 12 years in jail.
- In a survey by the BTP, of 1,500 boys from 13-19 years old, found that 19% said themselves, or a peer had been offered work from a drug dealer.
- A OnePoll survey found 20% of young boys knew someone who sells or transports drugs, with 15% seeing offers on social media, and 18% in school.
- For more, see the Independent website.
Most secondary schools do not prioritise pupils from low income families for admission
- A report has suggested that using geographical location for school admission can “establish or reinforce segregation,” as it can create a barrier for pupils from lower-income households when applying for secondary school places.
- More affluent parents have the resources to pay their children’s way into popular schools through the housing market.
- The report also highlighted that just 5% of schools prioritised pupils eligible for Pupil Premium compared to 88% who used some form of geographical criterion.
- These findings raise important concerns about the chances of young people from all social backgrounds being able to level up in opportunity and achievements.
- There is hope that the findings will encourage schools to think more creatively when it comes to secondary school admissions.
- For the full story, please visit the Independent’s website.
