Latest news with #childrensafety
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
‘A Bed for Every Child' program helps provide beds for children in need across Mass.
WESTFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – A local Elks Lodge took part in an initiative ensuring every child in Massachusetts has a safe and comfortable place to sleep. A Bed for Every Child is an initiative with the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless, a commitment to ensure that every child in the state has somewhere safe to rest. Holyoke Farmers' Market kicks off 2025 season 'We all know how important a good night's sleep is, and these kids aren't getting it when they are sleeping on the floor or whatever or in the homeless shelter,' said Lewana Dyer, Treasurer of the Westfield-West Springfield Elks Lodge #1481. 'So we are trying to satisfy some of that need.' The Westfield-West Springfield Elks Lodge #1481 is bringing together not only its members but also members from other Elks Lodges across western Massachusetts, community members, and even a couple of Boy Scouts, building 20 beds for children in need. The Lodge has been planning and fundraising for this event since October. 'We had a comedy show, we had dinners, members donated, the community donated,' Dyer said. Each bed kit costs $350, but with the money raised, they were able to provide more than just a bed for 20 kids on the wait list. 'We have sheet sets, we have blankets, we have pillows, we have backpacks, we have toys,' Dyer said. 'We have stuffed animals to go along with the beds when they go.' Members and volunteers that weren't able to get down on their hands and knees to build the beds could participate in the Inspiration Station, where they could create unique medallions for each child's bed. 'While each one of these beds may be built uniformly, there is a special element that folks are signing the back of the decal,' said Tina Baptista, Program Director of A Bed for Every Child. 'It's custom and it really just helps make these beds extra special for the child who will soon receive it.' The Westfield-West Springfield Elks Lodge hopes to make this an annual event going forward. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
BBC News
18-05-2025
- BBC News
Headlines: Blue walls in car park and maternity unit closure
Here's our weekly roundup of stories from across local websites in the West of have a daily round up as well. Make sure you look out for it on the website and the local section of the BBC News app. What have been the big stories in the West this week? At the start of the week Bristol woke up to the news of a death at the half marathon event on the West Country reported 28-year-old rugby player Jon Devereux, from Chester, died after after collapsing and falling ill at the Great Bristol Live's article on the sudden closure of part of the Co-op car park in Westbury-on-Trym and some walls installed there also gained a lot of attention this week. Nearby residents are now calling for an investigation after the area was cordoned off with blue body found in the search for missing 16-year-old Athrun got a lot of reaction from ITV West Country and Bristol Live audiences. Searches had been ongoing in the West Shore area of Llandudno following the sighting of a body on news from The Dorset Echo, Somerset Live and ITV West Country on the temporary closure of Yeovil's maternity unit gained a lot of traction this week. In a statement the hospital trust told ITV West Country, it "cannot currently safely run the unit" or "safely provide care during labour and birth". Top six stories for the BBC in the West Something longer to read This week BBC News took an in-depth look at children's safety online across the West of West's live page compiled investigative and analytical pieces across all platforms including this piece on teenagers being exposed to content about weapons, bullying, murder and suicide soon after joining social media platforms. Explore more with our daily roundups
Forbes
12-05-2025
- Forbes
Google's Gemini AI Kids Edition Is Here: What It Means For Parents
A child using a system AI chatbot on a mobile application to do his homework. AI systems impact children's lives even when those children are not directly engaging with the tools. In theory, AI has the potential to diagnose and treat illness, process vast datasets to advance research, and accelerate vaccine development. Unfortunately, AI also carries a well-documented set of risks. These include digital harms such as abuse, exploitation, discrimination, misinformation, and challenges to mental health and well-being. These competing realities have recently spilled into the inboxes of parents using Google's Family Link controls. Many have begun receiving emails informing them that Gemini, Google's AI chatbot, will soon be available on their child's device. As first reported by The New York Times, Google is allowing children under 13 to access Gemini through supervised accounts managed via Family Link. That's a notable change, especially considering Bard, Gemini's precursor, was only opened up to teens in 2023. This update, rolling out gradually, enables children to explore Gemini's capabilities across a range of activities. These include support with homework, creative writing, and general inquiries. Parents can choose whether Gemini appears on Android, iOS, or the web, and configure it as their child's default assistant. Gemini is being positioned as a tool to support learning, creativity, and exploration. Google's earlier messaging around Bard leaned into this idea, emphasizing AI as a study companion, not a homework doer. Bard was offered to teenagers for a wide range of use cases, including finding inspiration, exploring new hobbies, and solving everyday challenges such as researching universities for college applications. It was also pitched as a learning tool, offering help with math problems or brainstorming for science projects. The original messaging was clear: Bard wouldn't do all the work, but it would help with generating ideas and locating information. However, recent surveys on ChatGPT use in universities suggest that ideal isn't always upheld in practice. It turns out that when given the chance, humans, teenagers in particular, often take the shortcut. And while the educational potential of generative AI is being more widely acknowledged, research indicates that digital tools are most effective when integrated into the school system. As UNICEF notes, for students to thrive, digital tools must support rather than replace teachers. Abandoning mainstream education in favor of AI isn't a viable path. UNICEF's report ''How Can Generative AI Better Serve Children's Rights?'' reminds us that real risks run parallel to AI's potential. Using the Convention on the Rights of the Child as a lens, the report outlines four principles: non-discrimination, respect for the child's views, the child's best interests, and the right to life, survival, and development. These should be the criteria for assessing whether children's rights are genuinely being protected, respected, and fulfilled in relation to AI. The first major issue highlighted by the report is unequal access, referred to as "digital poverty." Not all kids have equal access to high-speed internet, smart devices, or educational AI. So while some children gain a learning edge, others are left behind, again. Bias in training data is another major challenge. AI systems mirror the biases present in society, which means that children may encounter the same kinds of discrimination online as they do offline. The issue of data consent is particularly thorny. What does meaningful consent look like for a 9-year-old when it comes to personal data collection and usage? Their evolving capacity makes this a legal and ethical minefield. It's even more complicated when that data feeds commercial models. Misinformation is also a growing concern. Kids are less likely to spot a fake, and some studies suggest they're more prone to trust digital entities. The line between chatbot and human isn't always clear, especially for children who are imaginative, socially isolated, or simply online too much. Some users have already struggled to tell the difference, and at least a few bots have encouraged the illusion. There is also an environmental dimension. AI's infrastructure depends on data hubs that consume massive amounts of energy and water. If left unchecked, AI's carbon footprint will disproportionately affect children, particularly in the Global South. So what is Google doing to offer reassurances to parents? Parents using Family Link have been given more information by Google about available guardrails and suggested best practices. The most important one: Google says it won't use children's data to train its AI models. There are also content filters in place, though Google admits they're not foolproof. Parents can also set screen time limits, restrict certain apps, and block questionable material. But here's the twist: kids can still activate Gemini AI themselves. What rubbed many parents the wrong way, however, was the fact that Gemini is opt-out, not opt-in. As one parent put it, 'I received one of these emails last week. Note that I'm not being asked whether I'd like to opt my child in to using Gemini. I'm being warned that if I don't want it, I have to opt out. Not cool.' Google also suggests a few best practices. These include reminding children that Gemini is not a person, teaching them how to verify information, and encouraging them to avoid sharing personal details. If Gemini follows Bard's model, we may see further responsible AI efforts soon. These could include tailored onboarding experiences, AI literacy guides, and educational videos that promote safe and thoughtful use. The uncomfortable reality is that much of the responsibility for managing generative AI has shifted to parents. Even assuming, generously, that AI is a net positive for child development, many unanswered questions remain. A responsible rollout of generative AI should involve shared responsibility across sectors. That is not yet evident in practice. Tech companies need to do more to make these tools genuinely safe and constructive. Skill-building around safe navigation should be a priority for users of all ages. Governments also have an educational role to play: raising awareness among children and helping them distinguish between AI-generated and human-generated interaction and content. But for now, most of that support structure is either missing or undercooked. The dilemma, it seems, is unchanged: if AI holds promise for parents, the energy required to navigate its traps might cancel out the benefits entirely. So, when should kids start using AI tools? How much is too much? And who decides when it's time to step in? These may well be the new questions keeping modern parents up at night, and they don't come with chatbot-friendly answers.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Product recall roundup: Chicken, popular drinks from Coles and Woolworths, baby products and more
This week has been a big week for product recalls, in particular for baby and children's items. The products include several children's toys, a highchair, a baby bottle warmer, crumbed chicken and drink products. If you have purchased any of these items, you will be entitled to a refund or a method to fix the issue. Aussies should check their homes for the following items. RELATED: Little-known Coles rule to get free $12 roast chicken: 'People don't talk about this' Popular baby brand issues product recall on award-winning product due to 'risk of serious injury' Kmart fans rush to buy $35 item that transforms household task: 'I bought two' Barossa Fine Foods is conducting a recall on their Herb Crumbed Chicken Tenders 450g as they don't declare allergens for gluten and wheat. The product was for sale at independent retailers in South Australia. Consumers who have a gluten allergy or intolerance should not consume this product. Any Barossa Fine Foods' Herb Crumbed Chicken Tenders 450g with date markings 08/05/25, 09/05/25, 10/05/25, 11/05/25, 15/05/25, 16/05/25 should be returned to the place of purchase for a full refund. For further information, contact Barossa Fine Foods here. Silver Pacific Pty Ltd is conducting a recall on some of their Laohenghe Dressing Sauce 220g. The recall only applies to those that do not declare the presence of peanuts as a potential allergen with a date marking of 19/10/2025. The product has been available for sale in New Yen Yen Supermarket, Family Mart, GOG, HENLEE, Gong Grocer, Happigo, Jusco, Thai Kee and Jia Yuan Supermarket in NSW, Hualong Supermarket and Yong Hui Supermarket in ACT and Asian Town Hobart and Tassie Asian Pty Ltd in Tas. Customers with a peanut allergy should not consume this product, as they may react. They should return the product to the place of purchase for a full refund. For further information, you can email Silver Pacific Pty Ltd at: silverpacificptyltd@ Arepa AU Pty Limited are conducting a recall on their Arepa for Calm & Clarity 300ml and Arepa for Performance 300ml drinks, which have been available for sale in Woolworths in Victoria, and independent retailers, including IGA in New South Wales and Queensland. The products have also been available for sale in Coles in NSW, QLD and VIC. They were also sold online in ACT, NSW, QLD, SA, VIC and WA. The product recall is due to a packaging fault that has resulted in the presence of glass inside the drink. The date markings to look out for are: Arepa for Calm & Clarity 300ml - Best Before: 24 Jan 2026 Arepa for Performance 300ml - Best Before: 22 Jan 2026 Consumers should not drink this product and return to the place of purchase for a full refund. Find out more here. Cherub Baby is recalling their Anywhere Warmer Pro in the colour white. If you own one of these bottles, look for the product label on the bottom of the bottle warmer and see if it is: CHWRBOTTLEPRO. The recall is due to the bottle warmer potentially overheating while charging or in use. There is a risk of serious injury, death or property damage if the bottle warmer overheats and catches fire. The ACCC has revealed that an incident has occurred. Customers should stop using the product immediately and visit Cherub Baby's recall page to see if their warmer is affected and arrange for a replacement free of charge. Bugaboo has issued a recall on an award-winning highchair after reports of incidents of babies falling and causing injury. The product has been on sale for two years. The ACCC reveals the Bugaboo Giraffe highchair is on recall because "the screws connecting the legs to the frame can become loose and may detach when a baby or toddler is seated with or without the baby set accessory of the highchair." They add that there is a "risk of serious injury from falling if the chair detaches from the frame while in use," and "there have been incidents and an injury involving babies". If you own the Bugaboo Giraffe highchair, stop using it immediately, and contact Bugaboo to register your details for a repair kit to be sent. You can do this here. You will need to replace the current screws with redesigned screws using the improved Allen Key and following the step-by-step instruction manual in the repair kit. The product was sold nationally and internationally online and at various other online stores and in-store at various retailers. Model numbers to look for are: 200001013, 200001001, 200001002, 200001005, 200001007. EB Games' Zelda Light Up Sword is being recalled as it doesn't comply with the mandatory standards for products containing button/coin batteries. The product was sold nationally and online. The button/coin batteries are not adequately secured and are accessible by young children. The product doesn't include the required warning information. If young children gain access to the button/coin batteries and swallow them or place them inside their body, there is a risk of choking, severe internal burn injuries or death. Consumers should stop using this product and keep out of reach of children and contact your local EB Games store for a full refund. You can email them here: A snowman doll with removable components including a top hat, ears, mittens and faces is being recalled. Affected models are identifiable by the date code "12/2023" or "04/2024" located on the bottom of the top hat component. The product is being recalled as it does not comply with the mandatory standard for toys for children up to and including 36 months of age. The top hat may break and create small parts, posing the risk of serious injury or death from choking. Consumers should stop using the product immediately and dispose of the top hat component. Contact Step 2 Direct Australia on info@ to order a replacement top hat component or if you have gifted or sold the product to another person. A Fisher Price toy designed for babies and toddlers is being recalled due to the serious risk of injury or death. The Fisher-Price 3-in-1 SnugaPuppy Activity Centre is being recalled over fears that a detachable tissue box can come apart and expose small support brackets to young children. The ACCC says, "There is a risk of serious injury or death by choking if the child places the small parts in their mouth. Two reports worldwide of the tissue box toy coming apart have been received. "No incidents have occurred in Australia. No injuries have been reported." The Snugapuppy was sold in Australia between December 2022 and September 2023 and was available in stores such as Catch, Kmart and Target. If you own the Snugapuppy, remove the tissue box toy from the activity centre and keep it out of reach of children. Fisher Price is owned by Mattel, so those seeking information should contact Mattel Customer Relations on 1300 135 312. They can advise on how to return the tissue box and receive a free replacement toy. Brauer Natural Medicine is recalling several batches of its Baby & Child Teething Gel 20g due to the possibility of small plastic fragments from the tube rim being present in the gel. Affected Batches: Expiry date: February 2027 - Batch numbers: 27266, 27268, 27272, 27264. Expiry date: November 2026 - Batch number: 26846 Expiry date: December 2026 - Batch numbers: 26848, 26850, 26852 Expiry date: January 2027 - Batch numbers: 27185, 27187, 27189 If plastic fragments are in the gel when applied to an infant's gums, it may cause discomfort and minor injury if not noticed by the caregiver. In the worst-case scenario, it may also pose a choking hazard. If you own the product with one of the above batch numbers, return to the place of purchase for a refund. You can contact Brauer Natural Medicine Service with any questions relating to the product at custserv@
