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Daily Record
25-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily Record
Mum of teen who took own life welcomes new online safety measures for kids
The new laws, which order tech giants to implement a list of new measures to keep kids safe online, come into effect from today. The mum of a teenage girl who took her own life after viewing harmful materials online has welcomed new internet safety measures for children. Ruth Moss, 52, whose daughter Sophie died by suicide in 2014, hailed the new regulations which come into effect today as a "step in the right direction". Sophie was exposed to damaging content online, including material that glorified suicide, before she took her own life aged 13. Now, 11 years on, under Ofcom's Children's Safety Codes, tech giants have been ordered to implement a list of new measures to keep kids safe online. The changes will mean safer social feeds, strong age checks and more help and control for young people. Speaking to the Record of the new regulations, Ruth, from Edinburgh, said: "When Sophie was alive, there was no law so I welcome this - it's a big step forward. It's a positive day for children, however, technology moves very quickly so we will need to wait and see how it plays out. "In our case, when Sophie accessed harmful material online, it had a big impact on her mental health. Children viewing online harm is very damaging and, in some cases, very dangerous. "They're in their formative years, it's not like they're making choices as informed adults. If the legislation works and is enforced the way we hope it will be, I hope that sextortion, online bullying and access to online pornography and suicide sites are eliminated. "I'm really pleased to see these new measures become law but now it's about enforcement and seeing how we can maintain these regulations. Parents need to be assured that when their child goes online, they're not going to be pulled down a rabbit hole that will damage their health or impact their decision making." Under the new legislation, which has been enforced through the Online Safety Act, all sites and apps must put processes in place to review, assess and quickly tackle harmful content when they become aware of it. They must also have named a person accountable for children's safety. The Record has relentlessly campaigned for better online safety for young people as part of its Our Kids ... Our Future campaign, which was launched two years ago in response to a youth violence epidemic in Scotland. As part of the campaign, we have demanded social media giants to introduce robust new measures to prevent violent clips of young people from being circulated. We told how after assaults, victims were being exposed to further abuse where their beatings were filmed and uploaded online. Vicky Donald, whose then 12-year-old daughter, Kaylynn, was beaten on a school bus on her way home from school in Ladybank, Fife, in 2022, also welcomed the new measures. Kaylynn's brutal assault was filmed by a group of onlookers before it circulated on multiple apps and platforms. Vicky, 39, said: "I'm not sure how they will enforce this but I have to commend Ofcom for recognising there is a problem here. I'll be looking at my daughters' accounts to see if these new regulations actually work in the coming weeks. "I'm happy with this progress by Ofcom holding these tech companies to account but I do think far more needs to be done - they need to look not only at how kids are accessing violent content, but how it is uploaded to platforms in the first place. I don't want them to keep scrambling to resolve the issue in the aftermath - it needs to be resolved in the first instance at the point of an upload." Chris Sherwood, Chief Executive at the NSPCC said: 'Children, and their parents, must not solely bear the responsibility of keeping themselves safe online. It's high time for tech companies to step up. From tomorrow, regulated services can no longer evade their duty for protecting children from dangerous material that proliferates on their platforms. 'If enforcement is strong, these codes should provide children and young people with a vital layer of protection when they go online. Services need to now take steps towards a safety-by-design approach, including by implementing robust age checks to stop children accessing adult content and preventing the rapid spread of harmful material. 'We welcome Ofcom's move to closely monitor the largest platforms where many children spend extensive time. If tech companies fail to comply, Ofcom must show its teeth and fully enforce the new codes. It must use its wide range of powers, including fines, to protect children from harm and maintain public confidence in this new regulatory regime for online safety.'
Daily Record
24-07-2025
- Daily Record
Kory McCrimmon's family meet John Swinney to discuss efforts tackling youth knife crime
"The main purpose of this meeting was to do everything possible so that Kory's death was not in vain." The First Minister has met with the family of a teenager killed by a gang rival in Glasgow to discuss youth knife crime in Scotland. John Swinney promised Kory McCrimmon's family a follow-up meeting to discuss ways to solve youth knife crime in Scotland. The 16-year-old was stabbed in the heart at Greenfield Park in the city's east end in May last year following a feud with a member of a rival gang. The High Court in Glasgow heard that the pair had fallen out over £50 which led to an argument and threads over social media. The youth was convicted of culpable homicide and was sentenced to five years' detention in May. Kory's death was followed by two further knife tragedies just less than 12 months later. Amen Teklay, 15, died after he was found seriously injured on a street in Glasgow's Maryhill on March 5. Three teenage boys, aged 14, 15, and 16, were arrested and charged in connection. Just weeks later, 16-year-old Kayden Moy died following a disturbance at Irvine Beach in Ayrshire on May 17. Two boys, aged 16 and 17, have since appeared in court charged with his murder. All three tragedies have taken place amid the Record's Our Kids ... Our Future campaign, which has repeatedly called on the Scottish Government to invest in children to keep them safe from harm. Our Kids ... Our Future was launched over two years ago in response to a youth violence epidemic. On Wednesday, the First Minister and Justice Secretary Angela Constance met with the teenager's family to discuss youth knife crime. The McCrimmon family called for the meeting to ask the First Minister what could be done to tackle the issue of knife crime, especially amongst young people, and what preventative measures could be put in place. It was requested by the McCrimmon family after they organised a ' Parents Against Knives ' march in Glasgow last month. Around 200 people turned up for the event, which left from outside Rangers' Ibrox Stadium and ended at Celtic's home ground, Celtic Park. During the meeting, the First Minister promised the family, who were joined by Victim Support Scotland, a follow-up meeting to look into the potential solutions in more detail. The family said in a statement: 'The main purpose of this meeting was to do everything possible so that Kory's death was not in vain. 'We really appreciated the chance to meet with the First Minister and Justice Secretary yesterday to talk about their plans to tackle youth knife crime. 'They really listened to our concerns and ideas, and the First Minister suggested having another meeting soon to look at possible solutions in more detail. 'We will hold the First Minister to this promise and to hearing in more detail about what the Scottish Government plans to do to stop more needless deaths caused by knife crime. 'Lasting positive change is our goal.' Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Kate Wallace, chief executive of Victim Support Scotland, added: 'We welcome the First Minister's commitment to a follow-up meeting with the McCrimmon family. 'This will be vital for solidifying the Scottish Government's commitment to addressing knife crime, especially amongst young people. 'The McCrimmon family took the opportunity yesterday to question the First Minister and Justice Secretary about this issue and what they are doing to stop more preventable deaths. 'We look forward to a swift response from the First Minister in regards to a follow-up meeting with the family. 'It is crucial that action focuses on a joined-up approach to preventing young people from being involved with this type of crime in the first place. 'Everyone has a right to feel safe in their communities. We will continue to advocate on the McCrimmon family's behalf, and on behalf of everyone impacted by knife crime in Scotland.'
Daily Record
16-07-2025
- Daily Record
Chilling images show huge blade seized by cops at bus station as teen boy charged
Terrified locals reacted to the disturbing images on social media. A schoolboy has been arrested after he was allegedly caught brandishing a huge blade at a bus station. Chilling images show a police officer wearing evidence gloves and clutching the knife as the 15-year-old was led away from the scene at Glenrothes Bus Station at around 6.35pm on Monday July 14. The teen was charged by attending cops and will be reported to the relevant authorities. No-one was injured in the incident. Terrified locals reacted to the disturbing pictures on social media. One wrote: "This is exactly why I don't let my kids out." Another said: "This really gives me the fear these days." A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "Around 6.35pm on Monday, 14 July 2025, police received a report of a male youth in possession of a knife in the Postgates area of Glenrothes. "Officers attended and the 15-year-old was charged in connection. He will be reported to the relevant authorities. No-one was injured.' The incident comes amid the Record's Our Kids ... Our Future campaign, which was launched two years ago in response to an epidemic of youth violence in Scotland. We have called for action to help tackle the issue and urge the Scottish Government to urgently invest more cash into communities to provide children and young people with safe spaces to go. The country has been rocked by a number of sickening attacks on kids in the past year as three teenagers have lost their lives as result of knife crime, Kayden Moy, 16, was found with serious injuries at Irvine beach on May 17. The East Kilbride teen was rushed to hospital but sadly died a short time later. Three teenagers, one aged 14 and two aged 17, have been charged in connection with his death. Amen Teklay, a 15-year-old Eritrean refugee, died after being found seriously injured in Maryhill on March 5. Two boys aged 14 and 16 appeared in court charged with murder following the 15-year-old's death. Kory McCrimmon, 16, died after being attacked with a blade in the city's Greenfield Park on May 31, 2024. A 14-year-old boy was sentenced to five years for the culpable homicide of Kory. Prior to these tragic deaths, Justin McLaughlin was stabbed in the heart and left to die on the platform of Glasgow's High Street train station by Daniel Haig, 18, on October 16, 2021. Justin, who celebrated his 14th birthday just two days earlier, pleaded for his mother as friends came to his aid. He was taken to hospital but never recovered. Haig had his prison term shortened to 13 years last July, however, there is no guarantee he will be released from custody at the end of that term. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
Daily Record
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily Record
Scots MP calls for tighter social media regulation after 'online knife crime glamorisation'
Kayden Moy was found with serious injuries at Irvine beach on May 17. A Labour MP has called for a stop to the "very real glamorisation of knife crime online", following the death of Scots teenager Kayden Moy. Kayden, 16, was found with serious injuries at Irvine beach on May 17. The East Kilbride teen was rushed to hospital but sadly died a short time later. Three teenagers, one aged 14 and two aged 17, have been charged in connection with his death. On Monday, during Home Office Questions at Westminster, Joani Reid - MP for East Kilbride and Strathaven - raised the issue of knife crime being glorified on social media. It comes amid the Record's applauded Our Kids ... Our Future campaign which was launched two years ago in response to a youth violence epidemic. As part of the campaign, we have repeatedly demanded for online tech giants to enforce fully their policies on tackling harmful content such as videos of young people attacking others. Ms Reid said: "Six weeks ago, Kayden Moy, a 16-year-old boy from East Kilbride in my constituency, was stabbed to death, leaving his family bereft and a community - my community - in grief. "Since Kayden's tragic death, I have received multiple videos and images of local youths posing while wielding machetes in their own homes, but the police claim that they are powerless to take any action whatever. "Does the Minister agree that much more needs to be done to stop the very real glamorisation of knife crime online, and to prevent social media from being a breeding ground for youth violence?" The minister expressed her condolences to Kayden's family and friends. She continued: "My hon. Friend is absolutely right about the role that social media can play in glamorising these types of weapons. "That is why it is so important that we have measures in the Crime and Policing Bill and the Online Safety Act 2023 to start to tackle that. As I say, it is absolutely appalling." Afterwards, Reid pledged to continue to press the issue. She added: 'Kayden's death was a tragedy for his family and a shock to the whole of East Kilbride. The worrying fact is that knife crime is rising across Scotland, even in schools, and we need to mobilise as a community to bring it under control. 'I have been sent numerous videos by concerned and frightened constituents of boys and young men posing in their bedrooms with dangerous knives and blades. The social media companies refuse to act, and the police say they have not got the power to act. But there can be no excuses for doing nothing when we all know this bravado leads on to violence. 'I will use the summer weeks to press social media companies, public authorities and the Scottish government to get their act together on knife crime and to insist we get real action and not more excuses.' As part of the Our Kids ... Our Future campaign, the Record have repeatedly demanded the Scottish Government to invest in young people, so they can be nurtured, mentored and guided in every community. Last month, Glasgow's council leader Susan Aitken described the tragic deaths of three teenagers to knife crime as 'a warning sign' in an emergency meeting on youth violence. Scotland has been rocked by three blade tragedies in less than 12 months. Alongside Kayden, Amen Teklay, an Eritrean refugee, died after being found seriously injured in Maryhill on March 5. Kory McCrimmon, 16, died after being attacked with a blade in Greenfield Park on May 31, 2024. A 14-year-old boy was sentenced to five years for the culpable homicide of Kory. The issue was brought before the full council after a powerful march on Sunday June 22 by the family of Kory McCrimmon. His grieving parents, leading the Parents Against Knives campaign, told the country "enough is enough" and demanded action from leaders in Holyrood. City leader Susan Aitken said the three deaths showed there was a growing problem with youth violence in Scotland. She said: 'If some of our young people are being drawn into violence by anti-social behaviou r that negatively affects them and the wider public then that's a problem and we need to address it. 'If other young folk are so fearful of being affected by violence that they themselves need to carry blades, that's a cycle we need to break.' Scotland's justice secretary has pledged an additional £6m to tackle youth violence after the latest summit. Cabinet Secretary Angela Constance announced the move last month and will come next year as part of the Scottish Government's Cashback for Communities Fund. Constance went on to admit there is little she can say to comfort the parents of the boys involved in all three tragedies. She said: "I know there is probably little I can say to comfort grieving families. "I also know from my direct engagement with families of victims who have suffered a fatality that what they want more than anything, is to know that this won't happen to any other families. "They also want to know that the risk of this happening to others is reduced. "That's why we are so focused on prevention because that is the best and most effective way to prevent other families from facing this." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
Daily Record
26-06-2025
- Daily Record
Glasgow council hold emergency meeting on youth violence amid deaths of three teens
City leader Susan Aitken said the recent deaths of teenagers showed there was a growing problem with youth violence in Scotland. Glasgow's council leader has described the tragic deaths of three teenagers due to knife crime as 'a warning sign' in an emergency meeting on youth violence. The issue was brought before the full council after a powerful march on Sunday by the family of Kory McCrimmon, 16, who died after being attacked with a blade in Greenfield Park on May 31. His grieving parents, leading the Parents Against Knives campaign, told the country "enough is enough" and demanded action from leaders in Holyrood. City leader Susan Aitken said his death, and the recent deaths of teenagers Amen Teklay and Kayden Moy showed there was a growing problem with youth violence in Scotland. She said: 'We should take the opportunity to ask what we do collectively that matches the necessity of the moment and whether it is enough. 'Lets not forget that our city centre, our streets and our communities belong to our young people. 'If some of our young people are being drawn into violence by anti-social behaviou r that negatively affects them and the wider public then that's a problem and we need to address it. 'If other young folk are so fearful of being affected by violence that they themselves need to carry blades, that's a cycle we need to break.' Scotland has been rocked by three blade tragedies in less than 12 months. Amen, an Eritrean refugee, was found seriously injured in Maryhill on March 5. Kayden died after an incident at Irvine Beach on May 17. Teen boys have been charged in connection with both deaths. Just last month, a 14-year-old boy was sentenced to five years for the culpable homicide of Kory. The tragedies have taken place amid the Record's Our Kids ... Our Future campaign, which was launched two years ago in response to a youth violence epidemic. Councillors on Thursday backed a motion to urgently explore new solutions stressing that families must be part of the response amid growing safety concerns. SNP councillor Laura Doherty warned: "We must take a balanced view. While recent events have rightly drawn attention, the broader picture is more complex. "The truth is today young people are growing up in a very different world. "The pandemic causes disruption to learning, social development and mental well-being. We are now seeing some of the long term effects of that destruction.' Kory's aunt Jackie said Sunday's march sent a clear message: 'We've had enough. We need to see change now.' The family are calling for a meeting with John Swinney and Justice Scretary Angela Constance. Labour councillor Kevin Lalley added: "Many young people have a future to look forward to but with the recent violence these [children] have no future. We must all get involved to ensure tragedies that affect many families can be averted.' The council instructed the chief executive to involve young people in shaping new anti-violence strategies. The Record's Our kids... Our Future campaign was launched in February 2023 after we highlighted a worrying trend of violence amongst teens. Our campaign has called on the Scottish Government to invest in youth clubs and other ways to help young people. The Scottish Government recently announced an £82,000 boost for the Violence Reduction Unit, following pressure from campaigners. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
