To help keep pupils engaged with food education during lockdown, Food and Drink Federation (FDF) Scotland challenged young people across Scotland to design an innovative street food dish that they and their families would love.
Day: June 26, 2020
Morrisons launches lean protein box
NSPCC and O2 provide virtual online safety webinars in Scotland
UK’s internet use surges to record levels
Adults in the UK are now spending more than a quarter of their waking day online with services such as TikTok and Zoom seeing unprecedented growth, according to Ofcom’s latest study into the nation’s online lives.
Ofcom’s annual Online Nation report shows that in April 2020, during the height of the coronavirus lockdown, UK adults spent a daily average of four hours and two minutes online. This is up from just under three and a half hours in September last year.
With people looking for new ways to keep connected, informed, entertained and fit during the pandemic, video-sharing and video-calling services are surging in popularity.
TikTok, which allows users to create and share short dance, lip-sync, comedy and talent videos, reached 12.9 million UK adult visitors in April, up from just 5.4 million in January. Twitch, the popular live streaming platform for video gamers, saw visitors increase from 2.3 million to 4.2 million adults.
The proportion of people making video calls has also doubled during lockdown, with more than seven in 10 doing so at least weekly. Houseparty, the app which combines group video-calls with games and quizzes, grew from 175,000 adult visitors in January to 4 million in April. But the biggest growth was seen by Zoom, the virtual meeting platform, which grew from 659,000 users to reach 13 million users over the same period – a rise of almost 2,000%.
A nation of content creators
Sites and apps such as YouTube, Snapchat, Instagram and TikTok, which allow people to create, upload and share videos online, have never been so popular.
Our report reveals that nine in 10 adults, and almost all older children aged 8-15, with access to the internet used at least one of these in the last year, with many doing so several times a day. One third (32%) of online adults now spend more time viewing video-sharing services than broadcast television.
And we’re not only watching but creating and broadcasting our own content too. Two in five adults (40%) and 59% of older children who use video-sharing sites and apps now create and upload their own videos, driving an explosion in short-form, user-generated content.
Vlogging is also a money-making enterprise, with 17% of adults who create and upload videos receiving revenue or gifts in return. With some vloggers going on to achieve global celebrity status, the proportion of children under 13 who aspire to become a ‘YouTuber’ had increased by 19% by the end of 2019 compared to 2018. Boys in particular are more likely to consider it as a career.
How the pandemic is changing communications
Our study shows that, before the pandemic, many people were moving away from more established forms of communication – particularly landline calls and SMS text messages – and adopting newer methods.
In the 12 months to February 2020, more people were sending daily text messages using online messaging platforms (52%), such as WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger, than using SMS (41%) or email (26%). Daily use of online voice calls (31%) was only slightly lower than mobile calls (38%).
The pandemic appears to have sped up the adoption of online services to keep in touch. More than seven in 10 people in the UK are now making video calls at least weekly, up from 35% pre-lockdown. This trend is particularly noticeable among older internet users; the proportion of online adults aged 65+ who make a least one video-call each week increased from 22% in February 2020 to 61% by May 2020.
Confident but cautious
For many adults and children, watching or creating content on video-sharing sites or apps is a positive experience. But 87% of adults – and 79% of 8 to 15 year olds – have concerns around children using these platforms. Bullying or trolling, harmful or age-inappropriate content and receiving private messages from strangers are among the top concerns.
Adults’ trust in sites to remove illegal, offensive and harmful material has grown by seven percentage points since last year, to 54%. Nevertheless, most adults (57%) continue to support greater regulation of video-sharing platforms (64% in 2019).
Ofcom is preparing to take on new duties for the regulation of UK-based video-sharing platforms. This summer, we will be publishing a call for evidence to inform our guidance on how platforms should protect users from harmful content.
Yih-Choung Teh, Ofcom’s Director of Strategy and Research, said: “Lockdown may leave a lasting digital legacy. The coronavirus has radically changed the way we live, work and communicate online, with millions of people using online video services for the first time.
“As the way we communicate evolves and people broaden their online horizons, our role is to help ensure that people have a positive experience, and that they’re safe and protected.”
Schools Out for Summer with Forth 1
Forth 1 DJs, Callum Gallacher and Boogie, are celebrating the end of what has been an unusual school term with the ultimate Schools Out for Summer parties.
There’s no doubt that the Covid-19 pandemic has changed the way we learn, work and socialise, but the Forth 1 DJs are refusing to let it change the way we see in the school summer holidays while raising funds for Cash for Kids.
Pupils and listeners across Edinburgh, the Lothians, Fife and Falkirk will be treated to playlists curated especially by DJ Callum Gallacher and Boogie In the Morning DJ, Boogie, to get the summer vibes started as schools across Scotland break up for the end of term.
Last night, with so many young people across the country unable to mark the occasion with friends and teachers, pupils had the chance to join Callum Gallacher’s Summer Prom – and the partying continues today with Boogie’s Summer Party via Facebook Live from 3pm.
Listeners are encouraged to tune in to the special shows to hear their favourite summer tunes and the biggest hits, while at the same time having the chance to give shout outs to their friends, school mates and teachers. There will also be an opportunity to donate to Cash For Kids.
Callum Gallacher hosted a School Prom with guest mixes from Friday night GBXperience DJ, George Bowie and Saturday Night Anthems presenter, Garry Spence, from 7pm, for pupils across the country who are finishing up for the summer with no school prom.
Callum said: “It’s particularly hard for pupils who are finishing up their school careers, knowing that it’s unlikely they’ll have the chance to say a proper goodbye at the end of this very unusual school term.
“There’ll be no shirt signing, no ties on heads, no school prom – we feel for them – so we want to make sure we give them a great night.”
Following the School Prom, listeners can join Boogie on Facebook Live from 3pm today. Boogie In The Morning presenter, Boogie, said: “The last day of school was always the most fun, so we want to make sure pupils across Edinburgh, the Lothians, Fife and Falkirk aren’t missing out.
“There’s no denying that lockdown has been tough for many young people and at Forth 1 we are trying to bring some sense of normality to our listeners with music, a laugh and a fair bit of daftness! I’m really looking forward to this continuing with our end of term Summer Party!”
Join Boogie from 3pm on Facebook Live today. Get in touch with via the Forth 1 Facebook page with your song requests and shout outs to your friends, school and teachers. Find out more about the Schools Out For Summer party here.
Listen to Forth 1 on FM, DAB radio, online, via our app & on your Smart Speaker.
All donations to the Cash for Kids Appeal welcome. Text FORTH TO 70905 or donate online at https://planetradio.co.uk/forth/cashforkids/.
100% of donations will go to help vulnerable and disadvantaged children across Edinburgh, the Lothians, Fife and Falkirk.
Concerns over playpark openings
Jon Dalton, Board Member of the The Register of Play Inspectors International (RPII), said: “While we are pleased that the Scottish Government have announced the date for the re-opening of outdoor playgrounds in Scotland on Monday (29th June), we are aware that some owners and operators of playground facilities have halted safety inspections of playgrounds altogether during the lockdown period.
“The Register of Play Inspectors International (RPII) is calling for all playground owners in Scotland to make sure they have carried out an in-depth inspection prior to the re-opening of any facility and ensure that all inspection schedules are brought fully up to date.
“The RPII is expecting playgrounds to be very heavily used during the Scottish summer holidays and the eagerness of the public to start using them again, so it is vital that playgrounds are thoroughly inspected to ensure a satisfactory level of safety is in place.
“Owners and operators of playground facilities also have a responsibility to open playgrounds safely and remove any temporary barriers that may have been put up during lockdown which may also be hazardous.”
The RPII is providing the following guidance for families that plan to visit a playground safely:
1. If the playground facility you visit has not yet officially been opened, please do not attempt to use, or access the equipment or area.
2. Do not remove any temporary barriers to the playground or plastic fencing or unravel any swing seats or cables that may have been secured to put them out of use – this must be done safely by the owner or operator of the facility.
3. Follow the current social distance guidelines when visiting and encourage your children to do the same.
4. If the playground is busy, consider coming back at a later time. Talk to your children about this possibility before visiting.
5. Wash your and your children’s hands before and after visiting. Take hand sanitiser with you and consider taking a bottle of water for if your children’s hands get covered in mud. Ensure your children are using hand sanitiser frequently.
6. Follow and adhere to all current government advice in addition to the above guidance.
Holidaymakers risk losing thousands if told to stay home by ‘test and trace’
Keep Scotland Beautiful launches new online summer education programme
Environmental charity, Keep Scotland Beautiful, launches new online summer education programme.
Ten brand new interactive online learning courses will be available for young people across Scotland during the month of July. These exciting new online learning programmes have been developed to provide a fun and enjoyable way for young people to continue their environmental learning during the summer holidays.
The courses cover a range of topics and environmental activities which encourage young people and families to explore the world around them and to think how to protect and improve the places they love. Included are courses on Eco-Schools, heritage, food and the environment and climate change, as well as other environmental topics.
Each course consists of a combination of online learning and practical, fun activities, and all those who complete a course will be rewarded with a certificate of involvement.
Registration is now open for each course and the full list, more information and details about how to take part, can be found at: https://www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/learning
Daniel Barrie, Education and Learning Manager, said: “Following the huge demand for our online environmental education programme during lockdown from both educators and young people, we have developed a series of exciting and interactive courses for children to take part in during the summer holidays.
“These courses will provide a fun and engaging way for young people and their families to explore some important environmental issues, such as climate change and sustainable food, and the work completed can contribute towards their school’s next Eco-Schools Green Flag award. We have something exciting available for all ages – from nursery through to S6.”
As well as the online summer courses, Keep Scotland Beautiful will also be providing environmental education support to educators once blended learning begins in August. This will build on the existing partnership with E-Sgoil and will include a range of online learning activities for pupils coupled with professional learning for staff.
