Latest news with #Children'sCommissioner
Buzz Feed
14-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
Ed Sheeran's Right – Performative Parenting Isn't Worth Your Kid's Digital Privacy
Ed Sheeran is having a bit of a moment right now. He recently played a free gig in King's Cross after going viral for calling his resurgence a 'recession indicator'; and yesterday, hit podcast Call Her Daddy aired their Ed-pisode too. During his appearance, Ed mentioned his wife (Cherry Seaborn) and their two little girls (Lyra Antarctica and Jupiter). That left some commenters surprised, with one TikToker writing: 'ED SHEERAN IS A FATHER??? How long did I sleep?'. Ed Sheeran took umbrage against a comment which read 'He doesn't spend enough time with his family, he literally could go do/take his children anywhere but chooses to be away from them.' 'Orrr I just don't post them on social media...' the singer replied. Another X post showed what seemed to be a screenshot of the pop star's comment, which read: 'I don't post them on social media because they deserve to be in control of their privacy. 'Just because you don't see something on the internet doesn't mean it doesn't exist.' CLOCK THEM ED — tasha louise 💗 (@eds_afterglow) April 9, 2025 Experts back him up. In 2018, the UK Children's Commissioner released a report called Who Knows What About Me? which found that by the time most kids turned 13, their parents had posted roughly 1300 photos and videos of them online. The report reads: 'We need to stop and think about what this means for children's lives now and how it may impact on their future lives as adults. 'We simply do not know what the consequences of all this information about our children will be. In the light of this uncertainty, should we be happy to continue forever collecting and sharing children's data?' A 2022 paper found that 'sharenting', or posting pictures and other content of your children online, can harm their safety, privacy, and even lead some parents to make an unfair profit off their children in an unregulated market. Disney+ Recent Disney + Show Devil In The Family: The Fall Of Ruby Franke highlighted perhaps the most extreme and horrific case of child abuse involving 'sharenting.' Ruby Franke, who was sentenced for child abuse, created the hugely successful family advice vlog 8 Passengers. A 2023 paper found that 'sharenting syndrome' – an obsession with and even addiction to posting your children online – 'could result in neglect and abuse, and it could lead to children's images being used on inappropriate sites.'
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Ed Sheeran's Right – Performative Parenting Isn't Worth Your Kid's Digital Privacy
Ed Sheeran is having a bit of a moment right now. He recently played a free gig in King's Cross after going viral for calling his resurgence a 'recession indicator'; and yesterday, hit podcast Call Her Daddy aired their Ed-pisode too. During his appearance, Ed mentioned his wife (Cherry Seaborn) and their two little girls (Lyra Antarctica and Jupiter). That left some commenters surprised, with one TikToker writing: 'ED SHEERAN IS A FATHER??? How long did I sleep?'. Ed Sheeran took umbrage against a comment which read 'He doesn't spend enough time with his family, he literally could go do/take his children anywhere but chooses to be away from them.' 'Orrr I just don't post them on social media...' the singer replied. Another X post showed what seemed to be a screenshot of the pop star's comment, which read: 'I don't post them on social media because they deserve to be in control of their privacy. 'Just because you don't see something on the internet doesn't mean it doesn't exist.' CLOCK THEM ED — tasha louise 💗 (@eds_afterglow) April 9, 2025 Experts back him up. In 2018, the UK Children's Commissioner released a report called Who Knows About Me? which found that by the time most kids turned 13, their parents had posted roughly 1300 photos and videos of them online. The report reads: 'We need to stop and think about what this means for children's lives now and how it may impact on their future lives as adults. 'We simply do not know what the consequences of all this information about our children will be. In the light of this uncertainty, should we be happy to continue forever collecting and sharing children's data?' A 2022 paper found that 'sharenting', or posting pictures and other content of your children online, can harm their safety, privacy, and even lead some parents to make an unfair profit off their children in an unregulated market. Recent Disney+ Show Devil In The Family: The Fall Of Ruby Franke highlighted perhaps the most extreme and horrific case of child abuse aided in part by their online presence. Ruby Franke, who was sentenced for child abuse, created the hugely successful family advice vlog 8 Passengers. A 2023 paper found that those with sharenting syndrome – an obsession with and even addiction to posting your children online – 'could result in neglect and abuse, and it could lead to children's images being used on inappropriate sites.' And considering Ed Sheeran's huge platform, we reckon hid children will be glad he refused to share their image online (even if some commenters on TikTok are not). 'Awkward': Ed Sheeran Reveals How Elton John Is Still Getting His Name Wrong After 15 Years Ed Sheeran Had A Hilarious Reaction To Viral Clip Of Indian Police Shutting Down His Busking Performance Ed Sheeran Shuts Down 'Divisive' Reports He Attended JK Rowling's New Year's Eve Party
The Independent
09-04-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Children have access to porn in the classroom, education union head says in call for phone ban
The leader of the UK's largest education union has called for the government to introduce a statutory ban on mobile phones in schools, arguing it would ease pressure on parents, teachers, and headteachers. Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the National Education Union (NEU), says children in classrooms have access to "hardcore pornography" on their phones, citing the damaging effects on both boys and girls. This call comes despite existing non-statutory guidance issued to schools last year under the former Conservative government, discouraging mobile phone use during school hours. A recent survey conducted by the Children's Commissioner across more than 15,000 schools in England revealed that most already have policies limiting phone use during the school day. Publishing the new survey data on Thursday, Dame Rachel de Souza said banning phones should be left to individual head teachers rather than mandated by the government. However, Mr Kebede expressed his "personal view" that the Labour government should adopt a firmer stance on the issue. He advocates for a statutory ban, going beyond the current non-statutory guidance. His comments came ahead of a debate on men's violence against women and girls at the NEU's annual conference in Harrogate in Yorkshire next week. The motion, due to be debated on Tuesday, calls on the union to do even more work to challenge sexism, sexual harassment and misogyny. Speaking to the media ahead of the debate, Mr Kebede said a national conversation about mobile phone use, online harm and the 'damaging impact' it has on young people is much needed. 'My personal view is I would support a statutory ban on mobile phones in schools,' Mr Kebede said. 'I think it would alleviate pressure from school leaders, teachers, but also parents.' An amendment to the motion, tabled by the NEU executive, suggests that the rise of 'unregulated' social media has led to violent pornography becoming accessible to young children and it adds that online spaces are playing a 'significant role in the rise of misogynistic attitudes'. The amendment suggests social media companies should be 'held accountable' for influencing how young people learn and feel about relationships and for 'normalising' violent attitudes about women. 'The average 12-year-old has access to the most hardcore pornography on their mobile phone and that is incredibly damaging to the wellbeing of young boys and their perceptions of women, girls, sex and relationships,' he said. He added that the country 'should look towards Australia' where the senate has passed a social media ban for children under 16. The NEU leader called for social media companies to be regulated in a similar way to tobacco companies due to their harm to children's mental health. His comments come as the television drama Adolescence, which examines so-called incel (involuntary celibate) culture, has prompted a national conversation about online safety. Last week, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said there was no 'simple solution' to stop boys from being dragged into a 'whirlpool' of misogyny as he hosted creators of the Netflix drama at Downing Street. Netflix has said it will make the series free to stream for all secondary schools across the UK. David Wilson, deputy general secretary of the NEU, said the TV drama had struck a chord with teachers. Speaking ahead of the union's annual conference, he said: 'The issue of misogyny in schools is a grave concern to members and a growing concern over the last few years.' Last month, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch questioned why the Government opposed a Tory amendment to the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill to require schools to ban the use of phones. In response, Sir Keir described the proposal as 'completely unnecessary' as he claimed 'almost every school' already bans phones. Last month, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said she had tasked officials with exploring how to 'more effectively monitor' what is happening in schools in England regarding the use of smartphones. In a speech to school and college leaders in Liverpool in March, Ms Phillipson said: 'The Government's position is clear, you have our full backing in ridding our classrooms of the disruption of phones.' Shadow education secretary Laura Trott said it was 'not too late' for Sir Keir to change his mind about her party's proposal. 'The evidence of the damage smartphones and social media are having on children's education and mental health is undeniable,' she said. 'The Department for Education's own research showing phones disrupt nearly half of GCSE classes every day. That's why the PM was wrong to dismiss our proposal to ban smartphones in schools (as) 'unnecessary' and a 'waste of time'. 'Teachers, parents, pupils and now even trade unions want action. It's not too late for Labour to put politics aside and do the right thing to protect children in schools.' A Government source said: 'Phones are distracting, disruptive and have absolutely no place in classrooms. 'The Children's Commissioner's comprehensive evidence shows our approach of backing headteachers to implement bans in their schools is working, the Tories have been chasing headlines with no care for what's happening on the ground in schools. 'By ramping up monitoring we will ensure every school, and every classroom, is phone free, delivering on our Plan for Change to give our children the best education.' More than four hours a day Dame Rachel de Souza has instead called for 'stronger action' to protect children from harmful content online beyond the classroom – including a possible social media ban for children under 16 or restricting smartphone use for all children. Parents need support in managing their children's online activities and setting 'appropriate boundaries' as part of a 'whole-society approach' to keeping young people safe, the Children's Commissioner for England has said. It follows a survey for the Children's Commissioner that suggested nearly a quarter of children spend more than four hours a day on an internet-enabled device. A YouGov poll of 502 children in England aged eight to 15 found that 23 per cent spend more than four hours a day using an internet-enabled device with a screen – such as a computer, phone, tablet or gaming console. One in four (25 per cent) spend two to three hours a day on such a device, while a fifth (20 per cent) spend three to four hours a day, according to the survey which was carried out in March and April.
BBC News
27-03-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Deprivation of Liberty: Children lose freedom amid care shortage
At-risk young people are having their freedom taken away with court orders because of a shortage of suitable accommodation for them, Ofsted and children's charities have warned. The use of Deprivation of Liberty (DoL) orders that stop young people from leaving places they are put in by local authorities has been increasing in recent rise comes amid a shortage of registered children's accommodation and warnings about placing young people in non-registered homes, of which there are 117 in the north-west of said none of them wanted to put young people in "unregistered" homes through lack of suitable options. The number of DoL applications has increased by more than 10 times in less than a decade. The orders are the most extreme intervention the state can make to keep children and others mean a child must live somewhere they are not free to leave or are put under continuous supervision. But some of the children are severely traumatised by abuse and neglect, and have complex needs requiring high levels of skilled care and supervision. If you are affected by any of the issues in this story, you can visit the BBC Action Line for information on available support and advice Chereece, from Stockport in Greater Manchester, started running away after she was put in a children's home 35 miles from her hometown. Chereece, now 23, said she was "running away to be with [her] friends and family" and that when she was deprived of her freedom, it caused "more trauma and more damage".She had been moved seven times to different homes in Newton-le-Willows, St Helens, Manchester, Runcorn and was also housed in non-children's homes, including a secure adult hospital and in an activity centre in Wales where she had to move to a different cabin every few days. Chereece said she experienced "constant disruption and instability" and made a threat to take her own life because she "didn't want to keep going through what the system was putting [her] through". Under a DoL she was then put in a secure adult facility in Shrewsbury where she had to "sleep with the door open with a nurse watching" before being moved to a secure children's hospital in Manchester, and then a unit in Peterborough."Things like clothes, TV, mobile phone or any beauty products had to be earned," she 16, she fought to have the DoL overturned with the help of a social worker. She said the judge at the tribunal said she never have been put in a secure unit and understood that her running away was because she was not being listened to and not having her needs met. 'National scandal' A report by the Children's Commissioner last December found many children who were subject to a DoL end up living in temporary accommodation like "holiday camps, activity centres or caravans" because of the lack of suitable places in registered children's homes, describing it as "a national scandal".Ofsted told the BBC it is not unusual for local authorities to try up to 200 places and be turned shortage has meant children have been placed in unregistered homes , supervised by agency staff and often without access to education or vital psychological has previously said that any home that was not registered and therefore not inspected and rated by Ofsted was "illegal". Katharine Sacks-Jones, chief executive of Become, a charity for children in care, said DoLs were being used more than they should have been, and the rise of unregistered children's homes was a "symptom of the crisis facing children's social care".She added: "Local authorities are saying the only way they can keep a child safe now, and the only way they can get them somewhere to live, is with a Deprivation of Liberty Order. "I think that's really concerning because they should be a very, very last resort."Lisa Harker, head of the Nuffield Family Justice Observatory, said DoLs were "always designed to be a last resort option and a temporary measure.""The data shows numbers of applications rising across the country, to well over a thousand young people a year, and tragically the majority of them are still in this situation six months later," she added. Ofsted warned that 12% of children placed in the unregistered settings that they investigated last year were subject to a watchdog said: "These are some of the most vulnerable children in care."They should not be placed in settings with no regulatory or independent oversight."Yvette Stanley, Ofsted's director for social care, said: "Local authorities will tell us that before they've considered an unregistered children's home, they might have tried 200 places and been turned away."I'm really worried that the most vulnerable children, their needs are escalating, not diminishing, because they're not getting that help. "I worry about children in the wrong places with the wrong staff, the wrong oversight, adding to the harm they've already experienced."Last November homes not registered by Ofsted became illegal for children in care or care leavers up to the age of measure was introduced after the number of unregistered private children's homes rose by 500% in the last three years. The Department for Education said: "It is entirely unacceptable that due to a shortage of placements that cater to complex needs, vulnerable children are being housed in inappropriate, unregistered accommodation."We're committed to increasing provision for all children in care, including those with more complex needs, and through our landmark Children's Wellbeing and Schools bill we're giving Ofsted stronger powers to crack down on providers found to be running illegal, unregistered homes."Arooj Shah, the chairperson of the Local Government Association's Children and Young People Board, said: "No council wants to place a child in an unregistered setting, and it is extremely concerning that in many cases, a lack of choice means provision is not fully meeting children's needs."She described the cost of care placements as "astronomical" and said central and local government, the NHS and Ofsted needed to work together to fix the added: "It is helpful that the Government is taking action to tackle the broken 'market' for children's social care placements, including through the Children's Wellbeing and Families Bill, and we will continue to work with them to make sure every child has the loving, supportive home that they need and deserve." Chereece said she was now living happily with her daughter, back in her hometown of Stockport, and working for the civil said she wanted to share her experience to "ensure other children in care don't go through what [she has] been through"."I hope my daughter never has to experience anything like that and she'll grow up in a loving home and she'll know that she's got someone who is supporting her and by her side all the way through her life experiences," she added. Read more stories from Cheshire, Lancashire, Greater Manchester and Merseyside on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC North West on X.
