Scammers could target gamers in the rapidly expanding metaverse

  • Research from TalkTalk shows that 71% of gamers have been targeted or know someone who has been targeted by cyber-criminals when gaming online.
  • 29% of gamers have accessed the Metaverse and a further 37% plan to, which raises questions for online safety.
  • TalkTalk warns that the lack of identification checks on the Metaverse makes using fake identities or avatars and impersonating others to gain personal information easier.
  • You can read the full story through TalkTalk.

Tinder’s new Blind Date feature

  • Tinder is adding a ‘blind date’ feature in which users chat before seeing each other’s picture, ditching the app’s usual swiping feature.
  • With this feature, users will be paired based on what they have in common, answer comments and play games.
  • If both users decide to ‘match’ based on these, they can access each other’s pictures.
  • You can read the full story through The Verge.

Charity Commission publishes Kids Company report

  • The Charity Commission has published a report into Kids Company declaring that the charity operated a ‘high risk business model’.
  • The charity had a heavy dependence on grants and donations, reliance on one individual for funding, low reserves, and a demand-led service.
  • The publication follows the conclusion of High Court proceedings in 2021.
  • You can read the full story through the uk website.

Two thirds of adults favour legal reform to end physical punishment of children

  • Data from the shows that 65% of adults and 71% of parents support legal reform to end the physical punishment of children.
  • This involves removing the defence of ‘reasonable punishment’ of children and giving children the same protection in law as adults.
  • 70% of adults and 74% of parents support the change if it was accompanied with information and support on how to manage children’s behaviour effectively.
  • You can read the full story through The Irish News.

More work needs done to deal with mental health issues of young people in NI

  • The Commissioner for Children and Young People, Koulla Yiasouma warns that NI must step up to deal with the mental health issues in children and young people.
  • NI is ‘lagging behind’ the rest of the UK and Ireland, with 18,000 anti-depressants being prescribed to under-18s.
  • Children in NI are 25% more likely to experience emotional difficulties and the problem has only been exacerbated in the past two years.
  • You can read the full story through The Belfast Telegraph.