Thousands of UK parents are missing out on an estimated £27 a week in child benefit, with official data showing nearly a third of eligible families do not claim before their baby's first birthday. Payments can only be backdated three months, leading to lost funds.
UK parents and experts discuss the potential benefits of shortening the six-week summer holiday to four weeks, citing easier childcare, reduced costs, and improved educational structure, though teachers show less support.
The UK's National Crime Agency (NCA) and Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) advise parents to limit social media visibility of children's photos due to a 14% rise in AI-generated child sexual abuse material (CSAM) in 2025, with offenders using AI tools to create realistic CSAM from innocent images.
An investigation by Which? found 150 potentially lethal infant products, including choking-hazard feeders and suffocation-risk sleep pillows, sold on major online marketplaces like Amazon, eBay, and TikTok Shop. The consumer group urges new legislation to hold platforms accountable for third-party sales.
UK plans to ban social media for under-16s face criticism from Meta, YouTube, and Snapchat, who argue it will push teens to less safe platforms. Keir Starmer announced the ban, aiming to protect children's mental health and safety, despite tech companies' concerns.
A UK government consultation on children's online safety is considering an under-16 ban for "high-risk" social media platforms. While 90% of parents support such a ban, teenagers express mixed opinions, with some concerned about business marketing and others about privacy and addiction.
