9 h. ago Social media addiction is 'fuelling the rise in youngsters taking ketamine'

Zaheen Ahmed, the head of therapy at UK Addiction Treatment Centres, warned that if their online and physical life 'doesn't give comfort', then they numb themselves with the drug

Politics

11 h. ago Tech giants head to landmark US trial over social media addiction claims

Meta, YouTube and TikTok accused of making products intentionally addictive and harmful to young peopleFor the first time, a massive group of parents, teens and school districts is taking on the world’s most powerful social media companies in open court, accusing the tech giants of intentionally designing their products to be addictive. The blockbuster legal proceedings may see multiple CEOs, including Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg, face harsh questioning.A long-awaited series of trials kicks off in Los Angeles superior court on Tuesday, in which hundreds of US families will allege that Meta, Snap, TikTok and YouTube’s platforms harm children. Once young people are hooked, the plaintiffs allege, they fall prey to depression, eating disorders, self-harm and other mental health issues. Approximately 1,600 plaintiffs are included in the proceedings, involving more than 350 families and 250 school districts. Continue reading...

Politics

33 h. ago Neuroscientist explains 'damaging' habit which happens when you doom scroll on phone

A neuroscientist has explained how humans have become addicted to social media - and what you need to do to better manage how much time you spend in the online world

Politics

4 d. ago Mums of teens whose brutal attacks were filmed for online back progress on social media ban for kids

A ban on social media for under-16s has been backed by the House of Lords.

Events

5 d. ago Do social media bans work? What the evidence says as Lords back UK ban for under

The House of Lords has backed a move to ban under-16s in the UK from social media platforms

Politics

5 d. ago Hidden signs your child could be a sex offender: Psychotherapist SAMANTHA MARCHAM reveals why you should never dismiss THESE six red flags

When people think of child sexual abuse, they almost always imagine predatory adults. Yet according to the NSPCC, 54 per cent of child sexual abuse is now committed by other children.

Politics

5 d. ago Woman kept as slave for 25 years was 'failed by social services': Neighbour of evil scratch card addict 'repeatedly' rang authorities to report abuse but 'nothing was ever done'

A neighbour of Amanda Wixon, who yesterday was convicted of abuse and false imprisonment, said she repeatedly rang social services over concerns for the woman's welfare.

Events

5 d. ago Woman kept a slave for 25 years was 'failed by social services': Neighbour of evil scratch card addict 'repeatedly' rang authorities to report abuse but 'nothing was ever done'

A vulnerable woman kept as a slave for 25 years by a mother-of-ten was failed by social services, according to a neighbours who said they repeatedly rang the authorities over the 'house of horrors'.

Events

5 d. ago Signs your child is addicted to social media – as Lords back ban

Expert-backed advice on what parents need to look out for.

Politics

5 d. ago ActionAid to rethink child sponsorship as part of plan to ‘decolonise’ its work

Development charity’s new co-chairs signal shift from controversial sponsor a child scheme launched in 1972 to long-term grassroots fundingChild sponsorship schemes that allow donors to handpick children to support in poor countries can carry racialised, paternalistic undertones and need to be transformed, the newly appointed co-chief executives of ActionAid UK said as they set out to “decolonise” the organisation’s work.ActionAid began in 1972 by finding sponsors for schoolchildren in India and Kenya, but Taahra Ghazi and Hannah Bond have launched their co-leadership this month with the goal of shifting narratives around aid from sympathy towards solidarity and partnership with global movements. Continue reading...

Politics

6 d. ago Britain facing ‘catastrophe’ because of children being addicted to social media, peers told – as it happened

House of Lords debate amendments to bill that could ban children under the age of 16 from having social mediaWe’re not far off PMQs. Here is the list of MPs down to ask a question.There will be two statements in the Commons after PMQs. At 12.30pm Ed Miliband, the energy secretary, will give one about the warm homes plan, and about an hour later Emma Reynolds, the environment secretary, will give one on the water white paper. Continue reading...

Politics

6 d. ago Britain facing ‘catastrophe’ because of children being addicted to social media, peers told – UK politics live

House of Lords debate amendments to bill that would ban children under the age of 16 from having social media We’re not far off PMQs. Here is the list of MPs down to ask a question.There will be two statements in the Commons after PMQs. At 12.30pm Ed Miliband, the energy secretary, will give one about the warm homes plan, and about an hour later Emma Reynolds, the environment secretary, will give one on the water white paper. Continue reading...

Politics

6 d. ago Snapchat’s parent company settles social media addiction lawsuit before trial

Snap’s chief executive had been due to testify in civil action also involving Meta, TikTok and YouTubeSnapchat’s parent company has settled a civil lawsuit shortly before it was due to start in California, but other large tech companies still face a trial under the case.Snap’s chief executive, Evan Spiegel, had been due to testify in a tech addiction lawsuit which also involves the Instagram owner, Meta; ByteDance’s TikTok; and Alphabet-owned YouTube – which have not settled. Continue reading...

Society

7 d. ago ‘My daughter is addicted to her phone – only a social media ban for under

The UK government has announced plans to consult on a social media ban for under-16s – but will it solve the problem? Nicole Wootton-Cane speaks to parents about whether they would support the measures

Politics

7 d. ago ‘My mum went so far as to call me evil’: nine things you need to know about the Beckham family feud

Brooklyn has finally broken his silence about his rift with his parents. He’s not mincing his words – from his ‘overwhelming anxiety’ about being raised in the spotlight to his mum’s ‘inappropriate dancing’ at his weddingRich, powerful and beautiful they may be, but the Beckhams are almost certainly having a worse day than you. After quite literally years of tabloid speculation and swipes between siblings on social media, the long-rumoured rift between Lord and Lady Becks and their eldest son, Brooklyn, has finally come to a head, with Brooklyn “breaking his silence” in a wordy, six-slide statement to Instagram late on Monday. If your response to his opus was “I ain’t reading all that”, here’s the lowdown on 26-year-old Brooklyn’s beef, and David and Victoria’s alleged transgressions, so that you can at least pretend you did. Continue reading...

Politics

7 d. ago UK social media ban: Government considering Australian style measures to stop 'infinite scrolling'

The Government said it would consult on options including raising the digital age of consent and restricting potentially addictive social media features

Politics

7 d. ago Children in UK face social media ban, addictive app restrictions and tough Ofsted phone checks

Keir Starmer is ramping up action to tackle online harms amid mounting pressure to introduce a social media ban for under 16s after Australia did so last month

Politics

1 week ago UK schools hit with infestations as NHS lists symptoms to look out for

Parents can check their child daily to spot any warning signs

Events