TikTok opens AR effects tool to all users

  • TikTok is opening its augmented reality (AR) effects tool to all creators.
  • Effect House will allow creators to make their own AR camera effects which can be used by other TikTok users in their videos.
  • Submitted effects will be subject to guidelines to be approved.
  • They will specifically prohibit effects that “promote colourism or negative stereotypes against protected groups” and effects which “depict cosmetic surgery”.
  • You can read the full story on The Verge’s website.

Teachers to discuss impact of pornography

  • Teachers will discuss the impact pornography has on students at the National Education Union’s event in Bournemouth.
  • They are expected to raise concerns over the prevalence of pornography which depicts harmful and humiliating treatment of women.
  • They will explore whether current sex and relationships education deals with issues of misogyny, sexism and consent.
  • The review comes after the Everyone’s Invited website which had over 51,000 testimonies of sexual harassment and sexual violence in schools.
  • You can read the full story on The Guardian’s website.

New suicide prevention strategy to consider ‘online safety and gambling’

  • Gambling and online safety will be considered as potential risk factors in a new suicide prevention plan.
  • The current plan to prevent suicides was written a decade ago, therefore, an updated strategy will consider the changing risks.
  • The refreshed suicide prevention strategy and next 10-year mental health plan will provide children and young people with the tools and support required to support their wellbeing.
  • You can read the full story on The Independent’s website.

Parents in the dark over Translink strike for school transport

  • The Department of Education is in talks with the Education Authority (EA) over the potential disruption due to the planned Translink strike.
  • Joint union strike action is set for a week starting Monday, April 25 and concluding Sunday, May 1, with an additional single day on Friday, May 6.
  • Public bus services will be affected, which would include travel to and from schools across Northern Ireland.
  • You can read the full story on the Belfast Telegraph’s website.