Smartphone Free Childhood, the grassroots parents’ movement, has called on WhatsApp to reverse today’s change in age policy, which lowers the minimum age of use from 16 to 13 years old.
As of April 11th, anyone in Europe over the age of 12 can now legally access the messaging service, after WhatsApp made a planned change to its age restriction policy.
This comes despite growing national calls for greater protections for children around smartphone and social media use, including from the 60,000 parents who have joined Smartphone Free Childhood since it launched spontaneously eight weeks ago.
A recent nationwide poll found that 95% of parents said they wanted big tech companies to do more to protect their children, with 80% believing that age limits on social media were too low.
Daisy Greenwell, co-founder of Smartphone Free Childhood said: “WhatsApp are putting shareholder profits first and children’s safety second.
“Reducing their age of use from 16 to 13 years old is completely tone deaf and ignores the increasingly loud alarm bells being rung by scientists, doctors, teachers, child safety experts, parents and mental health experts alike.This policy boosts their user figures and maximises shareholder profits at the expense of children’s safety.
“Lowering their age restrictions from 16 to 13 sends a message to parents that WhatsApp is safe for those over the age of 12, and yet a growing body of research suggests otherwise.
“Meanwhile parents and teachers in the Smartphone Free Childhood community regularly reach out to us to share that it is a contributor to bullying, sleep disruption and access to harmful content.”
Meanwhile a growing body of research continues to raise serious questions about how suitable closed group messaging apps are for children and young teens. One recent study² found that 56% of students aged 8-18 reported that they had experienced cyberbullying in their class WhatsApp groups.
Elsewhere, heavy use of screen media has been associated with shorter sleep duration and more mid-sleep awakening (in a study of more than 11,000 British children³) and many teachers have anecdotally reported to Smartphone Free Childhood that late night activity on WhatsApp is an increasing problem affecting children’s mood and ability to concentrate in class.
Furthermore, numerous reports link WhatsApp to children accessing extreme content – including sexual imagery, self-harm material5 and videos of extreme violence such as beheadings and terrorist attacks. Studies proves that nearly a quarter of people viewing such content on social media will experience symptoms of PTSD6.
Meanwhile, the end-to-end encryption on WhatsApp threatens children’s safety on the app, making it hard for parents to understand who their children are talking to and leaving them at risk of grooming by sexual predators.
One in ten children report7 using the messaging site to talk to people they don’t already know, and one in six 14-16 year-olds have received something distressing from a stranger on the site.
Despite these significant concerns, WhatsApp have as yet given no indication of how they plan to protect all the new under-16 users on their site, or how they will comply with UK law to remove the millions of under-13s already on the platform.
A joint initiative between the Scottish Government and the Scottish Football Association is supporting low-income families.
Launched by the First Minister with a £2million Scottish Government investment last year, the programme provides before-school, after-school and holiday activities for around 2,700 children each week.
The Extra Time programme aims to tackle poverty by delivering accessible and affordable activity clubs for children from low-income families.
During a visit to Dundee United Sports Club, which received £95,000 from the fund and provides support during term time and school holidays, Deputy First Minister Shona Robison said: “School holidays should be a time for fun and enjoyment for children, but for many families it is a time of added financial pressure.
“Scotland currently has one of the most generous childcare offers in the UK, and our investment in early learning and childcare, and school age childcare, is a key part of our goal to tackle child poverty.
“We are committed to building a system of school age childcare that helps to support parents and carers into employment, training or study. Our investment is helping to reduce inequalities that exist for children from lower income families who might otherwise struggle to participate in activities before or after school or during the holidays.
“Our Extra Time partnership with the Scottish Football Association is in the early stages of delivery, but we are already seeing the positive impacts that access to term time and holiday clubs are having on both children and parents.
“For example, we have early evidence from families that they feel better supported to work, with children seeing the benefits of increased physical activity as well as other benefits such as improved attendance, and improved behaviour at school’.
Chief Executive of the Scottish Football Association, Ian Maxwell, said: “It is fantastic to see the impact this vital programme is already having across the country since its launch last year, building on the initial success of the pilot in Ayr.
“Every child should have the opportunity to experience our national game and play with their friends within their local communities. There is no doubt that initiatives such as the Extra Time programme help remove barriers for children and their families around accessing after school and holiday activity clubs.
“We are appreciative of the continued support of the Scottish Government on this project, as we continue to pursue avenues in which the power of football can make a tangible difference in the lives of people in Scotland.”
A charity supporting children and families in Edinburgh has received a £4,000 donation from the team at Amazon Development Centre Scotland.
The donation was made to The Yard, a charity that has been involved with the Edinburgh community for more than 35 years. The Yard supports disabled children, young people, and their families through creative and inclusive play experiences.
The donation from Amazon will go towards The Yard’s ongoing programmes and services, including their family sessions.
Colin Mackenzie is a Software Development Engineer at Amazon Development Centre Scotland in Edinburgh, and he nominated the charity for the support. Colin said: “The team at Amazon Development Centre Scotland has supported The Yard for several years with donations and tech support.
“It’s been a joy to see how impactful the charity’s support can be to families across Edinburgh. Its work in the local community directly benefits families and with Amazon’s donation, The Yard can continue to support those in need.”
Hannah Dunlop, Senior Fundraising Manager from The Yard, added: “It’s wonderful to receive so much support from Amazon Development Centre Scotland.
On behalf of the staff and volunteers at The Yard, I would like to say thank you to Amazon for its continued support.
“This contribution will provide vital support and opportunities for disabled children and their families to connect, play, and thrive together.”
The donation forms part of Amazon’s Volunteer Cash Donation Programme, where Amazon employees nominate causes where they volunteer their time, to receive a cash donation. In collaboration with hundreds of community organisations around the world, Amazon employees are encouraged to volunteer and support causes they’re passionate about.
Community cash donations and employee volunteering are just two of the ways Amazon supports the communities where it operates.
In 2022, Amazon co-founded the Multibank initiative with former Prime Minister Gordon Brown to support families experiencing poverty. The first Multibank, ‘The Big Hoose’, opened in Lochgelly, Fife providing surplus essentials like nappies, toilet rolls, toothpaste and school uniforms, donated by businesses like Amazon and others, directly to those in need.
The initiative has gone on to donate more than 2 million goods to over 200,000 families across Scotland and Greater Manchester.
Amazon also helps community organisations transport meals and other essentials to families in need through its pro bono logistics programme, Amazon Local Good, including more than seven million healthy breakfasts to children at risk of hunger in partnership with Magic Breakfast.
Amazon partners with Comic Relief to help people tackle poverty and is the official home of the charity’s iconic Red Nose. Last year, together with its employees, customers, and partners, Amazon raised over £4.8 million to fund projects that support people struggling with the cost-of-living crisis and tackle issues such as homelessness, mental health problems, and food insecurity across the UK, and around the world.
Amazon has supported more than 500,000 students across the UK with free computer science and STEM education programmes through Amazon Future Engineer.
Free road safety events held at Cameron Toll Shopping Centre on 10 and 11 April
Local children visiting Cameron Toll Shopping Centre in Edinburgh on 10 and 11 April will be treated to a special storytelling show with the loveable Road Safety Scotland* character Ziggy, to remind them of the importance of staying safe on our roads.
The free event is part of a road safety roadshow taking place during the Easter school holidays, designed to equip young children with the skills, knowledge and attitudes to help keep them safe on our roads, both now and later in life.
Together with Ziggy – an alien visiting Earth to learn about road safety – children will enjoy a fun, interactive storytelling show which brings to life important road safety messages. Exciting giveaways will also be available, including a Ziggy storybook.
The sessions will run six times a day on 10 and 11 April starting at 10.30am and hourly until the last session at 3.30pm. In between shows children can enjoy some colouring in to keep them entertained during the school holidays.
Claire Jefcoate, Centre Manager at Cameron Toll said: “We are delighted to welcome Ziggy to Cameron Toll for these fun and lively school holiday sessions – a great way for children and families to learn about road safety together.
“I’m sure our youngest visitors will love the interactive storytelling show and be excited to meet Ziggy in person!”
Debbie Nicol, Assistant Director, Road Safety Scotland, said: “It is important that children are immersed in positive road safety attitudes from a young age, both in the classroom and at home.
“Ziggy is a fun character with an important role and activities like this will help put invaluable skills into practice and create lasting memories.”
Enjoy lots of fun spring activities, including a bake sale, face painting, art exhibition featuring artwork from our unpaid carers classes, and our pop up play for under 5s for your littles to enjoy!
29 million workers receive largest ever cut to National Insurance
Government is sticking to its economic plan and rewarding hard work in this month’s pay packet, with over £900 a year boost for typical worker
Signals government’s long-term ambition to end unfair double tax on work
29 million workers will see their hard work rewarded from tomorrow (6 April), as record tax cuts come into full force.
Since Autumn 2023, National Insurance Contributions (NICs) for workers have been slashed by a third – the largest cut to NICs in history – with a longer-term ambition to end the unfair double tax on work and abolish employee and self-employed NICs altogether.
Since January, the main rate of employee National Insurance has been cut for 27 million workers from 12% to 8%, saving the average employee on £35,400 over £900 a year.
Over 2 million self-employed people will benefit from the main rate of Class 4 NICs being cut from 9% to 6% alongside the abolition of the requirement to pay Class 2 NICs – simplifying the tax system and saving an average self-employed person on £28,000 over £650 a year.
These cuts are possible because the economy is turning a corner, thanks to the government’s decisive action to bring inflation down from 11.1% to 3.4% and ensure borrowing costs start to fall. Because of this progress, the government can now cut taxes to reward work and grow the economy.
The tax cuts – worth £20 billion a year – mean that those individuals on average salaries will now pay less in personal taxes than they would in any other G7 country.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said:“Hard work is one of my core values, and the progress we have made on the economy means we can reward work with a tax cut worth £900 for the average earner.
“This marks the next step in our plan to end the unfairness of double taxation of work by abolishing National Insurance in the long term.”
Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt, said:“The record tax cuts taking effect tomorrow show our economic plan is working – because of the progress we’ve made we’re putting hundreds of pounds a year back into the pockets of working people across the country.
“It shows we stand behind those who work hard and fires the starting gun on our long-term ambition to end the unfair double tax on work.”
The tax cuts will also help grow the economy by bringing more people into the labour market. The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) expects that, as a result of these combined cuts, total hours worked will increase by the equivalent of almost 200,000 full-time workers by 2028-29.
To mark the record cuts to NICs, HMRC has launched an updated online tool to help people understand how much they personally could save in National Insurance this year.
They come into effect on the same day as an increase to the income threshold at which the High Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC) starts – from £50,000 to £60,000 – taking 170,000 families out of paying the charge altogether.
The rate at which the HICBC is charged will also be halved from 1% of the Child Benefit payment for every additional £100 earnt above the threshold, to 1% for every £200, meaning Child Benefit will not be withdrawn in full until individuals earn £80,000 or higher.
As a result of these changes, 485,000 hard-working families will gain an average of £1,260 towards the costs of raising their children in 2024/25.
The government has also committed to consulting in due course on administering the HICBC on a household basis by April 2026, in recognition of how charging on an individual basis can sometimes lead to unfair outcomes, in particular for single parents and single earner families.
These changes to support hard-working families follow a raft of measures that came into force on 1 April that could save households up to £3,850 a year on average to help those struggling with cost-of-living while igniting the economy.
This includes a record increase in the National Living Wage from £10.42 an hour to £11.44, and a 12.3% drop in energy bills from the previous quarter. In addition, households can benefit from a separate increase to the Local Housing Allowance that will mean some of the poorest families on either Universal Credit or Housing Benefit will gain £800 a year on average.
And on Monday 8 April, the government will stand by its commitment to maintain the Triple Lock by raising the full basic State Pension by 8.5% to almost £170 a week, after the largest ever cash increase last year.
Changes like the introduction of the Triple Lock and new State Pension have meant pensioners are on average £1,000 better off than in 2010, according to the Resolution Foundation.
Spending cut of £1,934 per pupil from 2012/13 for those identified with additional support needs (ASN) – 33.9 per cent cut over a decade
More than doubling in the number of pupils with ASN from 2012
Cut of 546 in the number of ASN teachers
An alliance of leading providers of specialist children’s services, the Scottish Children’s Services Coalition (SCSC), has called for greater resourcing to support children and young people with ASN, such as autism, dyslexia and mental health problems.
The call comes as new figures contained in a parliamentary answer to the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, Jenny Gilruth MSP, reveal that average additional support for learning (ASL) spend per pupil has slumped by over a third (34.8 per cent).[1] This comes against a perfect storm of escalating numbers of pupils with ASN, against the backdrop of cuts in support.
While the SCSC supports a presumption of mainstreamingfor pupils with ASN, meaning that they are educated in a mainstream school unless exceptional circumstances, without adequate resourcing there is an obvious impact on those with ASN, fellow pupils and teachers.
The SCSC is calling on the Scottish Government to work with local authorities to increase funding to support the needs of vulnerable children and young people, including greater provision of specialist ASN teachers, educational psychologists, behaviour support staff and classroom assistants.
The figures highlight that average spending per pupil on ASL by local authorities in Scotland (primary, secondary and special education) has fallen from £5,698 in the 2012/13 financial year to £3,764 in 2022/23 (in real terms). This amounts to an overall cut in spending of £1,934 per pupil, representing a 33.9 per cent drop.
This fall is against the backdrop of a 104.8 per cent increase between 2012 and 2022 in the number of pupils identified with ASN, from 118,011 to 241,639, amounting to 123,628 individuals. Those with ASNcurrently represent more than a third of all pupils (34.2 per cent).3
Between 2012 and 2022 the number of full-time equivalent ASN teachers (publicly funded primary, secondary, special and centrally employed) has fallen from 3,390 to an all-time low of 2,844, a decrease of 546 teachers, representing a cut in numbers of 16.1 per cent.4
Against the backdrop of Covid-19 and the cost-of-living crisis, with its disproportionate impact on those with ASN, this cut in support has created a perfect storm for those with ASN.
A spokesperson for the SCSC commented: “It is devastating to note cuts in spending supporting those with ASN, and we would urge the Scottish Government to adequately resource the provision of the likes of specialist teachers, educational psychologists and classroom assistants.
“We are facing a lost generation of children with ASN, and it is vital that they get the care and support they need, when they need it, especially given the impacts of the Covid-19 and cost-of-living crisis. This is also key if we are to genuinely close the educational attainment gap, as we know that those with ASN are disproportionately drawn from poorer neighbourhoods.
“We are experiencing a mental health emergency, and have also witnessed dramatic increases in classroom disruption, impacting on pupils and teachers alike. This is in part due to increased levels of social, emotional and behavioural difficulties post-lockdown.
“The Scottish Government and local authorities must work together to provide adequately resourced support across Scotland for those children and young people with ASN, representing some of the most vulnerable individuals in our society. “
Drop-In at WAVERLEY COURT, East Market Street from 5 – 7pm
Retired but looking for a new challenge? We need patient and kind individuals with the skills to train as foster carers for children and teenagers who need safe, loving homes.
Please find below the latest National Museums Scotland listings:
Exhibitions & displays
National Museum of Scotland Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF Open 10:00–17:00 daily
Rising Tide: Art and Environment in Oceania Until 14 Apr 2024 Exhibition Gallery 2, Level 3 Free
Delve into the most important and pressing issue of our time, humanity’s damaging relationship with planet Earth. This urgent issue is felt especially deeply in Australia and the Pacific Islands where sea levels are rising due to climate change and the oceans are filling with plastic.
Rising Tide considers our relationship to the natural environment through contemporary artistic responses to climate change and plastic waste by Indigenous Australian and Pacific Islander artists.
Wildlife Photographer of the Year Until 06 May 2024 Special Exhibition Gallery, Level 3 Ticketed
In this world-renowned exhibition, on loan from the Natural History Museum in London, see exceptional images which capture fascinating animal behavior, spectacular species and the breathtaking diversity of the natural world.
Game On 29 Jun – 03 Nov 2024 Special Exhibition Gallery, Level 3 Tickets on sale spring 2024
Get set for Game On – the largest interactive exhibition of the history and the culture of video games.
Game On, an exhibition conceived and curated by Barbican Immersive, examines the creative and technological advances that have established a new medium and art form.
From Sonic the Hedgehog to Mario, explore gaming’s rich history through over 100 playable games from the last five decades.
Cold War Scotland 13 Jul 2024 – 26 Jan 2025 10:00 – 17:00 Special Exhibition Gallery 2, Level 3 Free
Exploring Scotland’s critical position on the frontline of the Cold War, a new exhibition will tell the stories of the Scots at the centre of this global conflict.
National Museum of Scotland Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF Open 10:00–17:00 daily
Edinburgh Science Festival 30 Mar – 14 Apr 10:00 – 17:00, with some events after 17:00 Book via Edinburgh Science’s website
Join us as we host two weeks of science-fuelled exploration at the National Museum of Scotland, from free interactive exhibits to family workshops and adult talks and events.
Audio-Described Access Evening: Wildlife Photographer of the Year 16 Apr 17:30–19:00 Special Exhibition Gallery 1, Level 3
Join us after hours for an audio-described tour of key exhibits in the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition. The tour will last around one hour with the option to explore the exhibition independently afterwards. This event is particularly aimed at those who are blind, partially sighted or visually impaired. Recommended age is 8+.
Sensory Sunday: Exploring Ancient Egypt 05 May 14:00 Level 4, Studio 2, Learning Centre Free, booking required
Families with children with additional support needs and disabilities are invited to join our programme of sensory play sessions. Explore the museum’s collections, get creative and meet other families.
Sensory Sunday sessions are relaxed, fun hands-on, and respond to the needs of the families participating.
You are welcome to come and go at any point during a session.
These sessions are suitable for children with additional support needs, neurodivergent children or children with disabilities.
The content is aimed at ages 5-10 but is not set – we welcome all families who think they might enjoy these sessions.
Magic Carpet Minis Block 1 (08,15 and 22 May) 10:30 & 14:00 on Wednesdays £15.00 per child for block of 3 £13.50 per Member child for block of 3
Magic Carpet Minis introduces you and your little one to some of the wonderful galleries, objects and themes in the museum in a fun and gentle way. Taking place in different spaces around the museum, you will explore subjects such as the Natural World, Space, World Cultures and Scottish History through songs, stories, rhymes, actions, objects and sensory play.
Magic Carpet Toddlers Block 1 (13, 20 & 27 May) 10:30–11:15 or 14:00–14:45 £15.00 per child for block of 3 £13.50 per Member child for block of 3
Magic Carpet Toddlers introduces you and your little one to some of the wonderful galleries, objects and themes in the museum in a fun and interactive way. Taking place in different spaces around the museum, you will explore subjects such as the natural world, science and technology, world cultures and Scottish history through songs, stories, rhymes, actions, objects and short activities.
Wellbeing Wanders 13-17 May 11:30-12:00 Meet at the Lighthouse Lens, Grand Gallery, Level 1 Free, sign up on the day
Join us on a guided walk around the museum for Wellbeing Week. Explore the collections and take part in mini mindful sessions at each stop along the way with these short, free guided walks.
Curiosity Club: Ancient Egypt 18 May 10:30-12:00 Level 4, Learning Centre £10 (Members and Concessions £9)
Capturing some of the museum’s most exciting collections, this is a chance for kids to explore the museum through games, activities and gallery visits.
Wellbeing Week: Mindful Art at the Museum 19 May 11:30-12:30 Meet at the Tower Entrance, Level 1 £10, £8 Members and Concession
Join artist Kayleigh McCallum and mindfulness practitioner Charlene Duncan for mindful sketching in our galleries. This small group session in our galleries will start with a short introduction to mindfulness, followed by guided sketching and then some final mindfulness exercises. Suitable for all levels, including complete beginners. All materials will be provided. All ages welcome, but recommended age 8+.
Slow Down Sunday for Families 19 May 10:30–11:15 & 13:00–13:45 Event Space, Level 2 Free, booking required
Join author and mindfulness teacher Natasha Iregbu as she invites families to practice mindfulness in a fun and enjoyable way. Natasha and her excitable butterfly Amaya will take you on a journey of storytelling and mindfulness as they guide you and your children to use your senses and practice being in the moment. The session will include a book reading, mindfulness activities, yoga movement and a craft activity.
Edinburgh International Children’s Festival: Family Encounters Day 25 May 10:00 – 16:30 Grand Gallery, Level 1 Free, drop-in Some activities may require sign-up on the day
At our Festival Family Encounters Day, enjoy exciting new performances and interactive experiences from local artists, pop-up theatre and dance shows, walk-about character actors and plenty of hands-on family activities.
The full event programme will be published in early May.
National Museum of Flight East Fortune Airfield, East Lothian, EH39 5LF Open daily 10:00 – 16:00
Flying into the Future 1 Apr – 5 Apr 11:00 – 15:00 Concorde Hangar Free with museum admission
From airships to autogyros and electric to hydrogen-powered aircraft, discover how we might fly in the future with fun, family activities.
Activities include a family technical challenge where you will use craft materials to build something that flies, a staff-led tour of the Civil Aviation Hangar and a trail exploring the 50+ aircraft on display in the museum.
Tractor Tots Until May 2024 10:15 & 13:30 Various dates Ticketed
Running in blocks of three Friday morning sessions, Tractor Tots offers a fun, focused experience for our younger visitors, introducing them to the museum and farm, and bringing it to life through interactive creative play.
Each session will take place in a different location at the museum and working farm, and will feature handling objects from our learning boxes, singing, storytelling, rhymes, actions and sensory play to learn all about life in the countryside.
