Daily Safeguarding News - Safer Schools

Meta is child abuse ‘breeding ground’, lawsuit claims

Facebook and Instagram have become a “breeding ground” for child predators, claims a a New Mexico attorney in a lawsuit.
Raul Torrez stated that his office had set up fake accounts that were sent phallic pictures and “solicitations.”
He reported: “Our investigation into Meta’s social media platforms demonstrates that they are not safe spaces for children but rather prime locations for predators to trade child pornography and solicit minors for sex.”
The lawsuit names Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, saying he “called the shots” and had denied requests to make design changes that would have improved child safety.
In the European Union, this month regulators asked for more detail on the measures the firm had taken to protect children from abuse.
In June, in response to concerns about child exploitation, Meta established a task force on the issue.
Meta said it had expanded the number of terms it polices and developed new technology to identify predators, among other steps.
For more, please visit the BBC News website.

A BBC News investigation revealed that a ChatGPT feature allowing users to easily build their own artificial-intelligence assistants can be used to create tools for cyber-crime.
The platform was able to create text for some of the most common hack and scam techniques, in multiple language in seconds.
BBC News signed up for the paid version of ChatGPT, at £20 a month, created a private bespoke AI bot called Crafty Emails and told it to write text using “techniques to make people click on links or and download things sent to them.”
The public version refused to create most of the content – but Crafty Emails did everything it was asked, including adding disclaimers saying scam techniques were unethical.
Experts say OpenAI’s GPT Builders could be giving criminals access to the most advanced bots yet.
For more, please visit the BBC News website.

The academy school in Ashford will introduce the measures in the new year.
The school’s principal explained that he hoped the rule would limit disruptions in the school and aid in safeguarding.
He said: “It’s an issue that all schools are facing and trying to tackle, and I think what we have found with the pouches is a way of not taking phones off students, because I think it is important that we educate children about the use of phones.”
The Department for Education (DfE) spokesperson commented that they support the academy “on its ban on the use of mobile phones in school to ensure pupils are able to work, learn and grow in a place free from the distraction they cause.”
They continued: “headteachers should be reassured that their efforts to keep schools mobile-free will be backed by the DfE, while we work towards publishing guidance.”
For more, please visit the BBC News website.

A teacher at a London primary school has been suspended after claims they punched a 10-year-old pupil multiple times.
The claims only became public following a TikTok video which was released, claiming to the aunt of the boy.
She reported that the child had to go to A&E following the incident after reporting severe pains across his back and chest.
His father has reported that the member of staff had taken his son from some steps in the playground and began “dragging him across the playground” and then “pinned him up against the wall and started punching him.”
Initially, the child was suspended from school for three days over the incident before the school suspended the staff member.
The chairman for the school’s board of governors stated: “As part of our continued partnership with parents, carers and the wider community, we take the safety and well-being of our pupils extremely seriously, and are committed to providing a safe and welcoming environment for all.”
For more, please visit The Times website.