Child safety feature scanning messages for nudity to be rolled out

  • Apple has announced that a safety feature using AI technology to scan messages sent to and from children is coming to the UK soon.
  • When enabled, the ‘communication safety in Messages’ feature will scan photos sent or received by a child for nudity.
  • If nudity is detected, the photo will be blurred, and child will be warned that it may contain sensitive content.
  • Messages sent by a child containing nudity will trigger a message encouraging them not to send the message and the option to “message a grown-up” for support.
  • You can read the full story on The Guardian’s website.

Children likely to spend 10 years of their lives in VR metaverse

  • Research by the Institution of Engineering and Technology’s (IET) predicts that the next generation of children will spend approximately 10 years in VR over the course of their lifetime.
  • This constitutes around 2 hours and 45 minutes per day.
  • The IET is calling for comprehensive measures to be put in place in the upcoming Online Safety Bill for regulating activity within VR and the metaverse.
  • You can read the full story on the IET’s website.

Instagram’s creator-focused features to encourage content

  • Instagram is making new creator-focused changes to its platform to encourage the creation of original Reels content to reduce re-posting of TikTok content.
  • The new features include ‘Product Tags’ where users can assign themselves to a category like “photographer”.
  • Instagram is also introducing ‘Ranking for Originality’ where original content (created from scratch on Instagram) will be more heavily promoted over re-shares.
  • You can read the full story on The Verge’s website.

Portrush councillors slam viral video of young people placing faces next to car exhausts

  • Local Portrush councillors have slammed a social media video showing young people intentionally placing their faces next to car exhausts.
  • The craze has seen others on social media doing the same thing over the Easter bank holiday, with their faces covering in black exhaust smoke.
  • The scenes have been branded as “stupid” and “worrying”, with local politicians urging people to stop partaking in the activity.
  • You can read the full story on the Belfast Telegraph’s website.

Health bosses act on poor uptake of vaccine in young children

  • Only 1.39% of children aged 5 to 11 have been vaccinated against COVID-19 in Northern Ireland.
  • The COVID-19 case rate in young children is falling, however this is believed to be due to a reduction in testing and fewer positive tests being registered.
  • The Public Health Agency has created a vaccination toolkit to support uptake, by signposting to the correct information and support organisations.
  • The toolkit will be used by health trusts, pharmacists, and local councils.
  • You can read the full story on the Belfast Telegraph’s website.