Daily Safeguarding Update - Safer Schools NI

Epic Games adds for-kids accounts in Fortnite, Rocket League and Fall Guys

Epic Games has added ‘Cabined Accounts’, created specifically for kids that play Epic’s online multiplayer games.
If a child under the age of 13 years old (or below the age of digital consent in their country) makes an account, it will automatically be a Cabined Account.
The accounts will have some restrictions until a parent or guardian gives their permission.
These restrictions will include the disabling of text and voice chat and buying items with money.
These accounts will initially start rolling out in Fortnite, Rocket League and Fall Guys.
For more on this story, please visit the Verge website.

According to the Wall Street Journal, Apple has stopped the development of technology designed to detect possible child sexual abuse material (CSAM) while it was stored on a user’s device.
Encryption and consumer privacy experts had warned about the risk of creating such surveillance systems that work from your devices.
Apple are now focusing on end-to-end encryption, including phone backups and other new features which will be aimed at protecting privacy and security while using iMessage and data stored in iCloud.
For more on this story, please visit the Verge website.

Three teaching unions have called for the Education Authority (EA) to provide guidance for schools around Strep A.
This comes after a 5-year-old Primary 2 pupil at Black Mountain Primary School died following a severe case of the bacterial infection.
The Irish National Teachers’ Organisation Northern Secretary has described the announcement as sending ‘shockwaves’ through school communities.
On Tuesday, all schools received a letter from EA directing schools to the PHA website as well as providing contact details for their Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT).
For more, go to the Belfast Telegraph’s website.