TikTok algorithm directs users to fake news about Ukraine war

  • An investigation by anti-misinformation outlet NewsGuard showed that a newly created TikTok account can be shown false information about the war in Ukraine.
  • A new account on the platform was shown false or misleading content within 40 minutes by simply scrolling through the algorithmically created ‘For You Page’.
  • For more information on how to talk to the children in your care about the war in Ukraine, check out our article.
  • You can read the full story on The Guardian’s website.

 Children’s survey shows they feel unsafe online

  • A survey commissioned by EE showed that 67% of children and young people don’t think the internet is a safe place but many continue to place themselves at risk.
  • The survey also showed that only 16% of parents report to know what their children are doing online but nearly 57% are unaware of who their child talks to online.
  • A third of parents are unaware of age limits on platforms even though 78% report making an effort to monitor their child’s activity.
  • You can read the full story on EE Newsroom’s website.

 ‘Revenge Porn’ hotline reports rise in stolen sexual images over pandemic

  • The Revenge Porn Helpline reports an increase in sex workers and content creators who post sexual images having their content stolen or leaked.
  • From their own calculations, the helpline estimates an increase in calls of 80% from 2019 to 2020.
  • A Helpline spokesperson claims that many of the enquiries were from people who signed up to OnlyFans during the pandemic as a source of income.
  • For more information on OnlyFans, check out our article.
  • You can read the full story on BBC Three’s website.

Hundreds of county lines drug arrests across West Midlands

  • West Midlands Police arrested more than 200 people in relation to county lines drug dealing and seized drugs valued at more than £1.5 million.
  • West Midlands Police’s week-long initiative aimed to stop the exploitation of children, young people, and vulnerable adults.
  • For more information on County Lines and Cuckooing, check out our article.
  • You can read the full story on BBC’s website.

Calls for more youth workers in schools after girl strip-searched by police

  • A review conducted by the City and Hackney Safeguarding Children Partnership concluded that the strip search of Child Q by police should not have occurred.
  • An absence of a safeguarding-first approach in the practice of teachers and police officers was found and race was likely “an influencing factor”.
  • Politicians, representatives of youth work organisations and teaching unions are calling for more youth workers “not police officers” in schools.
  • You can read the full story on Children and Young People Now’s website.

Scottish mental health charity SAMH targeted in cyber attack

  • The charity Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH) reports being a victim of a “sophisticated and criminal” cyber-attack.
  • Police are investigating the incident that affected emails and phone lines at SAMH.
  • SAMH reports that their priority is to keep support services running for young people and adults in schools, primary care and further education.
  • You can read the full story on the BBC’s website.