The online world is now a major part of young people’s lives, and while it has incredible benefits, we know it comes with risks too.
Whether under-16s should have access to social media is a major source of debate in the UK at the moment, and the NSPCC is pleased to hear the Government is asking for people’s opinions as part of their Public Consultation which launched this week.
The status quo is not working for children, or for their parents who are desperate to keep them safe. Tech companies are failing to protect them from preventable risks and harms on social media platforms, gaming sites and AI tools.
This cannot be allowed to continue.
We encourage parents, carers and children across the country to join the national consultation. Give your views, your firsthand experience of the good and the bad of the online world, and help decide what happens next.
The NSPCC is calling for tech companies to keep under 13s off social media – a move which would immediately protect 2.5 million children – for platforms to stop using design tricks which keep young people addicted, and to block harmful content at the source.
Making these crucial changes is in the power of Government, regulators and tech companies and more effective than a social media ban for under 16s. But at the same time, we recognise at the charity that a ban is better than doing nothing.
To have your say, go to www.gov.uk and search ‘social media consultation’ or click here.
Lymphoma Action are delighted to announce the return of our National Conference, taking place on Friday 8 May in York. Anyone affected by lymphoma is welcome to attend, whether they have received a diagnosis themselves or are supporting a loved one.
Readers might be interested in this unique opportunity to hear from lymphoma experts, meet others affected by the condition, ask questions and share experiences.
We will be joined by medical professionals who will talk about why lymphoma causes symptoms and the side effects of treatment, and our dedicated wellbeing sessions will offer practical tips for day-to-day living. Attendees will also hear the personal story of someone with a lived experience of lymphoma.
There will be plenty of time to connect with others affected by lymphoma throughout the day, and to find out more about the services and support Lymphoma Action has available as the UK’s leading charity dedicated to this type of blood cancer.
Our National Conference will be held on Friday 8 May at The Milner York Hotel in York. Tickets cost £30 per person (including lunch and refreshments) and prior booking is essential.
For further information, or to book your place, please visit:
The Holyrood elections are fast approaching. Here’s why all candidates must make tackling rising pensioner poverty a priority.
In Lothian, 22% of older people told us they have skipped a meal, and 65% told us they are cutting back on heating and utilities. Across the region, around 13% of people over State Pension age survive on a very low income of under £15,000. None of us deserve to live our later life like this.
Many older people in Lothian also tell us they are feeling unheard, with 64% revealing that they don’t feel represented by the Scottish Government.
Without action, the number of older people in poverty across Scotland could rise by 20,000 by the end of the next Scottish Parliament. At Independent Age, we’re calling on all candidates to commit to a national pensioner poverty strategy in their 2026 Scottish Election Manifesto.
Not only is it the right thing to do, but it’s backed by the older public, with 83% of all older people in Lothian supporting the Scottish Government in doing this. We also want to see the next Scottish Government help older people feel listened to and represented, by creating an Older People’s Commissioner.
Together, we can make Scotland the best place in the world to grow old.
Debbie Horne,
Policy and Public Affairs Manager at Independent Age
This National Eating Disorders Awareness Week (23 February to 2 March), I’d like to remind children and young people who are struggling with disordered eating that you’re not alone.
I was a confident and happy child, but from a young age I was surrounded by diet culture that made me believe my body should be smaller. What began as insecurity when I was five, slowly developed into years of disordered eating and anorexia. At times, I felt consumed by food, calories, and the pressure to shrink myself. Even when I seemed ‘fine’, I was struggling more than anyone realised.
If you’re reading this and recognise yourself, please know support is available. An eating disorder is not your fault, and you deserve help and compassion. Reaching out for help can feel frightening – I remember that feeling well – but it’s also the first step towards getting better.
Talk to someone you trust, whether that’s a friend, teacher, parent or GP. And if speaking to someone you know feels too difficult, you can contact the NSPCC’s Childline service anonymously by calling 0800 1111 or visit: www.childline.org.uk.
You don’t need to have the right words or even know exactly what’s wrong – they will listen, without judgement, and help you find a way forward.
No one should face an eating disorder alone. Reaching out for support is an act of real courage, and the first step towards recovery.
With all my best wishes, Lauren* (age 24) from Scotland
NSPCC Lived Experience Advocate
*Lauren is not her real name – she requested that we protect her identity
A recent report from the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee of the Scottish Parliament on ADHD and autism support highlighted that children and adults are frequently waiting multiple years for assessments of these conditions.
It called on the Scottish Government to take urgent action to develop and implement a national plan that ensures adults and children with autism and ADHD across all health boards in Scotland have clear, consistent pathways to support.
The report further reinforces the need for the Scottish Government to introduce the Learning Disabilities, Autism and Neurodivergence (LDAN) Bill to Parliament at the earliest opportunity.
The LDAN Bill would help tackle long waiting times through new national and local strategies and introduce mandatory training for health and social care staff, as well as teachers and school staff, to ensure people’s needs are identified and met.
The importance of the LDAN Bill in tackling the inequalities faced by individuals and their families cannot be overstated, and it has the potential to make a real difference for them in Scotland across education, healthcare, and employment.
Scotland is in the absurd position of producing more electricity than we need, while families and firms here face some of the highest bills in Britain. Fuel poverty is rampant, reaching nearly 50% in the northernmost parts of the country, despite Scotland’s renewable capacity only set to grow, with projects like Berwick Bank expected to generate power for more households than exist in Scotland.
One practical approach is zonal pricing, setting electricity prices by geographic region so that areas with abundant local generation benefit from lower supply costs and reduced transmission costs.
In plain terms, power produced on and off Scotland’s shores should not cost Scottish households and businesses a premium once it reaches the meter.
Zonal pricing reflects local supply and demand, and recognises that the real expense lies in grid infrastructure, pylons, cabling, and reinforcement, rather than in “sending” electrons down the line.
Instead, we are currently being forced to accept a vast expansion of pylons across our land because the grid is inadequate for the volume of generation, with “curtailment” running into billions, paying wind operators to switch off while consumers still pay through the nose.
A new pylon network is planned from the north of Scotland down the east and through the Borders to supply demand further south, bringing long-term visual and environmental damage, disruption to arable land and watercourses, and little or no benefit to the communities affected.
As an ALBA Glasgow List Candidate, I, Dhruva Kumar, am calling for a fair deal, implement zonal pricing so Scots can finally share in the value of the energy we produce, cut fuel poverty in a cold country, and make Scotland competitive again for manufacturing, hospitality and the green supply chain.
If Westminster will not act, then Scotland’s councils and government should refuse consent for pylons that export our energy while leaving our people paying the price.
2026 is both an election year and the National Year of Reading — a year when literacy, libraries and the future of our young people should be firmly at the top of the political agenda.
Across the UK and around the world, governments are taking decisive action to tackle declining literacy and reinvest in school libraries. Yet Scotland, once regarded as a leader in library provision, now risks falling behind.
When Vibrant Libraries, Thriving Schools launched in 2018, Scotland was setting the pace. We were seen as progressive — a nation that recognised libraries as essential to education, wellbeing and community life. Today, however, the landscape is shifting, and not in our favour.
Recent months have brought renewed focus on education, reading for pleasure and school libraries, but largely south of the border. England has committed to delivering a library in every primary school by 2029, backed by more than £10 million in dormant assets, alongside £5 million to provide every secondary school with new library books.
Wales has pledged dedicated funding for its National Year of Reading. Meanwhile in Scotland, funding gaps, inconsistent provision and ageing facilities are undermining the vital role libraries play in literacy, learning and community wellbeing.
Across our 32 local authorities, school library provision is fragmented. Only five authorities — just 16% — offer full professional librarian coverage in secondary schools, while at least five have none at all. More than a third rely on assistants, teaching staff or volunteers, despite clear evidence that professionally trained librarians are essential for literacy, information skills and wellbeing.
Recent developments only show the situation worsening. Qualified librarians are being replaced, dedicated library spaces reduced, and purpose-built libraries moved into smaller rooms with sharply curtailed stock and access. Some areas are exploring new models to stretch limited resources but these often involve cutting trained roles and introducing inconsistent provision with little central oversight. These are not minor operational changes, they signal a systemic unravelling of Scotland’s school library infrastructure.
The evidence is clear. Research by the University of Edinburgh and Scottish Book Trust shows school librarians foster reading enjoyment, create inclusive spaces, support minority pupils and strengthen personal development. A CILIPS-funded study found librarians are uniquely placed to tackle misinformation, yet lack of time, training and recognition prevents them from doing so. In an age of disinformation, this should be a wake-up call.
At the same time, National Literacy Trust data shows reading enjoyment among children and young people has fallen to its lowest level in 20 years. Only one in three enjoy reading, fewer than one in five read daily and one in ten children in Scotland does not own a single book. Boys, pupils from lower-income families and those in disadvantaged communities are disproportionately affected.
Scotland’s latest Achievement of Curriculum for Excellence Levels report shows record-high literacy attainment and narrowing gaps, yet school libraries are absent from the narrative. This omission is striking. The challenges highlighted — uneven engagement, slower progress for some groups and persistent inequality — are precisely where school libraries make the greatest difference.
Reading for pleasure remains the strongest predictor of a child’s future success, more powerful than parental income. Being read to at age five is a protective factor against poverty at age 30. Libraries are not cultural luxuries, they are engines of social mobility.
Other nations understand this. Norway, Sweden and the Netherlands are investing heavily in school libraries and staffing. Scotland, meanwhile, is cutting posts, shrinking spaces and relying on goodwill to sustain essential services.
SLIC’s vision statement, Securing the Future of Scotland’s Libraries, sets out what is needed: sustainable funding, modern facilities, protected professional roles and universal standards. Without decisive action to make libraries financed, fairer and future-proofed, Scotland risks entrenching a postcode lottery of literacy and opportunity.
As we approach the 2026 Holyrood election, MSPs face a clear choice. With strong evidence, a practical vision and broad public support, you can secure libraries as essential infrastructure at the heart of Scotland’s learning, wellbeing and future prosperity. Or you can allow further erosion that deepens inequalities and limits life chances for the next generation.
Scotland once led the way. We can do so again — but only if we act now, with ambition that matches the opportunity our communities deserve.
Yours sincerely,
ALISON NOLAN
Chief Executive of the Scottish Library & Information Council (SLIC)
As we mark Tinnitus Week (2 – 8 February), we know that for many people with tinnitus, it’s not just a hum in the background, but something that can make everyday life a challenge.
Despite tinnitus being more common than most people realise with one in seven adults experiencing it, too many are still left confused, worried or unsure of where to turn for help. Through our new research, two thirds (66%) of people with tinnitus told us it can impact their stress levels, while half (51%) said it makes them feel anxious or overwhelmed.
Thankfully with the right support, lots of people can live well with tinnitus. There are many practical ways to manage each person’s needs, such as talking therapies, hearing aids, or mindfulness.
No one should face tinnitus alone. If you’re finding your tinnitus difficult to manage or you’re worried about someone close to you, we’re here to help. RNID’s free online tinnitus guide at rnid.org.uk/tinnitus offers plenty of helpful information, practical tips and advice to help you live a good, balanced life with tinnitus.
As we step into 2026, many people will be thinking about the positive changes they’d like to make in the year ahead. For anyone looking to give back to their community, volunteering with the NSPCC is a meaningful way to support children and young people across Scotland.
One of the ways to support children is by becoming a Childline counsellor. Our Childline bases in Aberdeen and Glasgow are always looking for new volunteers to support children and young people through our phone and online services. With a child contacting Childline every 45 seconds, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, volunteers play a vital role.
Another rewarding opportunity is with our Schools Service. Volunteers deliver our Speak out, Stay safe workshops in primary schools, helping children understand their right to be safe, recognise the signs of abuse, and know who they can turn to for support. Last year, the programme reached more than 60,000 across Scotland, and in 2026 we hope to reach even more.
Full training is provided, and visits can be arranged around work or family commitments. Every shift is different, and volunteers often tell us that the enthusiasm and curiosity of the children they meet is what makes the role so special.
If this sounds like something for you, visit the NSPCC website to find out more.
Many people want to give back to their communities, but sometimes finding the time to volunteer can be a real challenge.
It’s not always easy to commit to a traditional volunteering shift, at a specific time or on a regular basis. Balancing giving back with work, family, and other responsibilities can be difficult.
That’s why, thanks to support from players of People’s Postcode Lottery, Royal Voluntary Service has launched GoVo, a free platform created to make it easier for people to discover volunteering opportunities in their local area, or remote, suited to their interests, availability, and the causes they care about.
Alongside the more traditional and regular volunteering roles people may already be familiar with, GoVo also offers flexible, one-off, remote, and more unexpected opportunities, with location dependent roles. These include dog walking for people with a terminal illness, DJing at discos for people living with dementia, knitting baby clothes for families in need, and providing exam support for young people with visual impairments.
Time can be priceless, and volunteering your time can be even more so – not just for the causes and people it supports, but for you as a volunteer too.
Volunteering can have a powerful impact on your own wellbeing, improving mental health, building confidence, developing new skills, and creating a sense of purpose and connection with others in your community.
So, to anyone who would like to give volunteering a go – even if you feel short on time – I would encourage you to explore what’s available at GoVo.org, or to visit your local volunteer centre. There’s so much out there, and you may be surprised by just how easy it is to make a difference.
Thank you,
Dave Stott,
Director of Volunteering at Royal Voluntary Service
