TikTok strengthens community guidelines

  • TikTok has announced changes to its community guidelines, aiming to crackdown on content promoting disordered eating like over-exercising and fasting content.
  • TikTok is also clarifying hateful prohibited practices like deadnaming, misgendering and misogyny in their policies.
  • TikTok will also be expanding its system that detects and removes videos to include adult nudity, illegal activities, or risks to the safety of minors.
  • You can read the full story through TikTok’s Newsroom.

New rules could require age verification for Reddit and Google

  • Campaigners from the Open Rights Group warn that new rules in the planned Online Safety Bill could force users to provide ID before using Reddit and Google.
  • The regulation attempts to restrict pornographic websites to prevent children from accessing them.
  • This could mean that websites that host adult content like Google, Twitter and Reddit could be affected by these rules.
  • You can read the full story through the Independent.

Instagram’s new features in honour of Safer Internet Day

  • To celebrate Safer Internet Day yesterday, Instagram added new features focused on content management and security.
  • The new ‘Your Activity’ feature allows users to see a full overview of their Instagram activity including total time spent on the app and allows users to bulk delete or archive posts.
  • Instagram also introduced a ‘Security Check-up’ tool which takes users through steps needed to secure their account including reviewing profile information.
  • You can read the full story through Social Media Today.

Northern Ireland sees shocking rise in online child sex abuse crime

  • Figures released by the PSNI show that online child sexual abuse crimes have jumped by 80% in the last three years.
  • These offences included sexual assault, rape, and sexual communication with a child where any element of the offence was committed online.
  • You can read the full story through the PSNI website.

Education left facing £735m black hole over next three years

  • The Education Minister, Michelle McIlveen, has issued a warning about the financial pressures facing the education system.
  • The allocation in the Finance Minister’s draft budget was “wholly insufficient” and could leave education short by £735m for three years.
  • The director of the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) reports that the system has fallen in relation to the most vulnerable children and those with additional needs.
  • You can read the full story through the Belfast Telegraph.