Rachel de Souza

The UK government plans a voluntary overnight social media curfew for 16- and 17-year-olds, disabling auto-play features by default to reduce online harm. Critics argue the voluntary nature may limit effectiveness, while officials cite pilot program data showing reduced usage. The measures require legislation and follow a previous ban for under-16s.

The UK government announced a voluntary overnight social media curfew for 16 and 17-year-olds, disabling features like auto-playing videos by default. Critics question effectiveness due to teens' ability to override settings, while officials cite pilot data showing reduced usage and improved sleep. The measures follow a separate ban for under-16s and require legislation.

England faces a children’s mental health 'crisis' as referrals to mental health services for young people surpassed 1 million in 2024-25, marking a 10% rise from the previous year and nearly double the number in 2018-19. The children’s commissioner, Rachel de Souza, called for an overhaul of state support after reporting the surge in referrals.

Black children in England and Wales are nearly eight times more likely to be strip-searched by police than white children, according to a report by the children’s commissioner. The report also found Black children are overrepresented in cases where police use force, with their 'size, gender, or build' cited as justification.