Facebook and Instagram let users call for death to Russian soldiers

  • Facebook and Instagram users in some countries will be allowed to call for violence against Russians, including Vladimir Putin and Alexander Lukashenko, in the context of the Ukraine invasion, after Meta made a temporary change to its hate speech policy.
  • The policy is in place in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Estonia, Georgia, Hungary, Latvia and more, but not yet in the UK.
  • Russia’s Embassy stated this policy will lead to an incitement of hatred and hostility towards Russians.
  • You can read the full story on the Guardian’s website.

Research finds BAME and LGBTQ+ youths at most risk of harm online

  • New research from the University of Surrey found young people from minority groups such as BAME and LGBTQ+ youth, are more likely to be exposed to and experience online harms from their white, heterosexual and cisgender counterparts.
  • A substantial number have encountered online harms and exposure to sexist, racist, homophobic, and transphobic content.
  • Young women are at higher risk of being targeted with unwanted sexual content and experience negative impacts.
  • You can read the full story on the Phys‘ website.

Teachers ‘buckling under strain’ of pupils’ mental health crisis

  • Schools and teachers are buckling under the strain of supporting the growing number of school children developing mental health problems.
  • Teachers are struggling to help because of their profession’s widespread lack of training in tackling mental ill-health.
  • Families in England are facing huge barriers in getting help for their children from CAMHS.
  • You can read the full story on the Guardian’s website.

TikTok launches a new music distribution platform, ‘Soundon’

  • TikTok has launched its own music marketing and distribution platform, Soundon, to help more artists get their music heard.
  • It will allow artists to upload their music directly to TikTok and other global streaming platforms like Spotify.
  • Artists will retain all rights and royalties to their music.
  • You can read the full story on the TechCrunch‘s website.

Scottish Council set to spend £150,000 following abuse allegations

  • Last year, a former teacher was found guilty of physically assaulting 5 vulnerable children, with an independent inquiry indicating the local authority was too slow to act.
  • Councillors recently agreed on an action plan in Newton St Boswells in response to the report, laying out 10 recommendations for change.
  • These recommendations include improving child protection training, reviewing child protection and disciplinary procedures, and improving communication with parents.
  • You can read the full story on ITV’s website.