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Children's News Feed

Automatically curated from DfE announcements, education news, and sector updates.

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Safeguarding 1 month ago

Prime Minister announces social media ban for children under 16

Sir Keir Starmer has announced that the Government will prohibit social media access for children aged under 16, with measures expected to take effect later this year. The policy represents a significant intervention in digital safeguarding aimed at protecting young people from online harms.

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Safeguarding 1 month ago

Global Attacks on Education Surge 40% as 10,600 Students and Staff Harmed

Research by the Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attack reveals a 40% rise in violent incidents targeting education worldwide, with 8,556 attacks affecting learners and staff across 83 countries including Colombia, DRC, Ethiopia, Haiti, Palestine and Ukraine. The findings underscore the urgent need for robust safeguarding measures to protect children and educators in conflict zones.

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Extending Online Safety Protections Beyond Social Media for All Children
Safeguarding Jun 13, 2026

Extending Online Safety Protections Beyond Social Media for All Children

The Children's Commissioner for England has urged the government to implement comprehensive online safety measures that protect children across all digital services, not solely social media platforms. This call emphasises banning harmful features and functionalities that pose risks to children online, extending protections currently considered for under-16s.

Research Links Early Childhood Physical Punishment to Teenage Bullying Behaviour
Safeguarding Jun 11, 2026

Research Links Early Childhood Physical Punishment to Teenage Bullying Behaviour

New research has revealed a concerning correlation between physical punishment in early childhood and an increased likelihood of bullying behaviour during adolescence. The findings suggest that children who experience hitting as a form of discipline are more prone to directing aggressive behaviours towards others, including siblings, as they enter their teenage years.

Study links parental smacking to poor GCSE results and bullying behaviour
Safeguarding Jun 11, 2026

Study links parental smacking to poor GCSE results and bullying behaviour

New UCL research reveals that children physically punished at ages three, five and seven are significantly less likely to pass their GCSEs and more likely to exhibit bullying behaviours. The findings add weight to calls for England to follow Scotland and Wales in implementing a complete ban on physical punishment.

Smacking children linked to lower GCSE grades and long-term harm, study finds
Safeguarding Jun 10, 2026

Smacking children linked to lower GCSE grades and long-term harm, study finds

A University College London study has found that smacking children 'does no good whatsoever' and is associated with lower GCSE attainment. The research adds to growing evidence that physical punishment harms children's educational outcomes and wellbeing, reinforcing the need for robust safeguarding and positive parenting support.

Ofsted to scrutinise notification patterns in early years crackdown
Safeguarding Jun 8, 2026

Ofsted to scrutinise notification patterns in early years crackdown

Sir Martyn Oliver has announced that Ofsted will intensify scrutiny of statutory notifications from early years providers, examining settings that submit either no reports or unusually high volumes. The move signals a shift toward intelligence-led regulation as the inspectorate seeks to identify potential safeguarding risks and compliance concerns through data analysis.

Starmer to Announce Decisive Social Media Restrictions for Children
Safeguarding Jun 8, 2026

Starmer to Announce Decisive Social Media Restrictions for Children

The Prime Minister has pledged "decisive" measures to protect children online, responding to calls for an Australia-style ban on social media access for young people. The announcement signals significant new policy directions for safeguarding children in digital spaces.

Cosmeticorexia: Safeguarding Children from Harmful Social Media Beauty Trends
Safeguarding Jun 6, 2026

Cosmeticorexia: Safeguarding Children from Harmful Social Media Beauty Trends

Social media algorithms are driving an alarming trend among school-age girls towards excessive skincare routines and 'cosmeticorexia', with experts warning of lasting damage to both physical health and self-esteem. The booming children's beauty market raises urgent questions for safeguarding leads and education professionals about protecting young people from exploitation.

The CCTV Debate: Should Nurseries Be Required to Install Cameras?
Safeguarding Jun 2, 2026

The CCTV Debate: Should Nurseries Be Required to Install Cameras?

The debate over mandatory CCTV in nurseries raises complex questions about child protection and privacy. While cameras may enhance safeguarding measures and provide evidence in abuse cases, concerns persist about eroding trust between parents and practitioners. This article examines the arguments for and against compulsory surveillance in early years settings.

Free safer sleep training rolled out to 1,000 nurseries nationwide
Safeguarding Jun 2, 2026

Free safer sleep training rolled out to 1,000 nurseries nationwide

A new online training programme is being offered free to nursery staff to improve knowledge and practice around safer sleep for babies. The initiative aims to reach 1,000 early years settings, helping practitioners reduce risks associated with sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and establish consistent safeguarding standards.

Families of nursery abuse victims launch legal challenge against council
Safeguarding Jun 2, 2026

Families of nursery abuse victims launch legal challenge against council

Families of children victimised by former Bright Horizons nursery worker Vincent Chan have initiated legal proceedings against Camden Council. The action alleges the council failed to investigate potential health and safety breaches by the nursery group, raising serious questions about accountability in early years settings.