Tag: teenagers

48% of Edinburgh teens fall for fake news on social media

  • New research exploring teenagers’ in Edinburgh perceptions of fake news
  • Research reveals 48%of teens in Edinburgh say they have fallen for fake news before.
  • 23% of Edinburgh teens think fake news refers to things Donald Trump claims to be untrue
  • Vodafone’s Digital Parenting magazine has released advice for families on how to tackle fake news: www.vodafone.co.uk/mobile/digital-parenting/rollup-fakenews.

Vodafone UK has published new research exploring teenagers’ perceptions of ‘fake news’, misinformation and the reliability of the information they find online. 

Almost a half (48%) of teenagers in Edinburgh have fallen for fake news and 47% of teenagers surveyed said they were more aware of fake news in 2020 compared to previous years. Vodafone has released tips for parents and children on how to deal with fake news on its Digital Parenting hub.

The research shows that young people in Edinburgh are regularly exposed to fake news, with teenagers reporting to see fake stories an average of 12 times per month, and 23% believing they think they see fake news every day.

Perceptions around fake news

Three in four (73%) of teenagers in Edinburgh correctly identified fake news as ‘misleading information which is presented as news and spread online’.

However, wider perceptions around fake news indicate a lack of comprehensive understanding on the subject – with 23% thinking fake news refers to ‘things Donald Trump claims to be untrue’.

Topics of fake news

With the spread of misinformation reaching new highs last year,the research highlights key topics of fake news in 2020 for Edinburgh teens: Covid-19 and the vaccine (50%), Celebrities (40%), Donald Trump (37%), the end of the world (27%) and the UK lockdowns (20%)

Identifying fake news

Just half (57%) of teenagers in Edinburgh think they can distinguish fake news from the truth. However, the research indicates that tech-savvy teens are using their digital skills to spot the real from the fake, and almost a half (47%) of teenagers in Edinburgh think they are better equipped to spot fake news than their parents.

Main sources of fake news

Predictably, four in five (80%) in Edinburgh reported seeing the most fake news on social media platforms – far higher than on news websites (13%).  

Combating fake news

Encouragingly, 17% of teenagers in Edinburgh say someone has taught them how to spot and report fake news and combat misinformation, with this person most likely to be a parent (80%), or a teacher (40%). And, 20% have learnt how to spot fake news using an online resource.

Helen Lamprell, General Counsel and External Affairs Director, Vodafone UK, said: “It’s clear from our research that fake news amongst Edinburgh teens is a widespread issue – and is not going away with Donald Trump.

“It’s so important to educate everyone on the importance of safety online and how to identify fake news. Our Vodafone Digital Parenting Hub has useful resources and advice for what to watch out for and how best to tackle it.”

Emma Robertson from Digital Awareness UK, said: “Since the start of the pandemic we’ve seen a dramatic and worrying spike in the number of young people and their families being exposed to fake news and scams.

“Many of us are being inundated with false information about vaccinations, miraculous COVID-19 cures, politics and so on. It’s critical that young people have the digital skills they need to spot fake news and really think about whether the information we are seeing online could be misinformation or disinformation.

“Fake news reportedly spreads six times faster than real news, so it’s up to all of us to help others identify it and think twice before sharing.”

Vodafone’s Digital Parenting Tips – Five ways to spot fake news

To avoid being tricked by fake news, ask your child to consider these questions:

  • Is it being reported elsewhere – have you seen this story in other places e.g. on TV or radio?
  • Is the site name normal – do you trust the website where you saw this story? Check the URL: it should have .org or .com or .co.uk at the end, not an unusual jumble of letters.
  • Do the photos and videos look accurate or could they be photoshopped? 
  • Headlines matter – but so does content: read the entire piece before you share a story to be sure it’s an article you are happy to endorse.
  • If you’re unsure – ask a trusted adult for a view.

For more advice on navigating fake news, visit: 

https://www.vodafone.co.uk/mobile/digital-parenting/rollup-fakenews

Teenagers: “raise your voice” to advise Children’s Commissioner

Teenagers are being encouraged to join a group advising the Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland. 

Bruce Adamson, the Commissioner, works to promote and protect children’s human rights and relies on a Young Advisers Group as one of the key ways to hear directly about the issues that matter. They tell his office when to “raise your voice” and defend children’s rights. During the pandemic, young advisers have spoken out with the Commissioner on issues like mental health, school closures and poverty.  

Anyone living in Scotland aged between 14 and 17 can apply to be a Young Adviser in the group. Meetings are currently online, and the Commissioner is keen for people who haven’t previously been part of organised groups to apply.  

Young Advisers work with the Commissioner and his team on lots of different projects, share their opinions, and influence decision-making. They’ll be able to take part in creative tasks, organise events, and have lots of fun along the way. They’ll be supported by the Commissioner’s team and previous Young Advisers. 

Coll, whose time as a Young Adviser is just ending, said: “If you think applying to be a Young Adviser means applying for yet another tick-box position for an organisation paying lip service to issues facing young people, you could not be more wrong.

“You’re applying to a role which will place you at the heart of the strategic decision-making of one of Scotland’s foremost young people’s organisations.”  

Bruce Adamson said: “I have the best job in the world, and the best part of that is working with children and young people. The Young Advisers Group helps my office to effectively stand up for children’s rights.

“They’ve shaped a huge range of our work, from policing in the pandemic, to climate justice, to exam cancellations and they’ve helped us recruit new staff and recently influenced the design of our new website.

“I want our new Young Advisers Group to reflect Scotland’s diversity and we’d especially love to support young people who might not have done anything like this before, so whatever your background or experience, please apply.”  

Applications close at 5pm on March 1st, 2021. For more information, and to apply, please visit cypcs.org.uk/get-help/young-people/become-a-young-adviser/

Protect Scotland App now available to anyone 12 or over

NHS Lothian urges locals to download app to help stop the spread

Young teens living in the Lothians are being urged to join the fight against COVID-19 by downloading the Protect Scotland app.

The free app is now available to those aged 12-15, and parents are being asked to encourage their child to download it if they have a compatible smartphone, to help stop the spread of coronavirus.

The age range has been extended to allow younger people to protect themselves and those in their household – and help make sure they can keep meeting up with friends outdoors.

NHS Lothian today highlighted how the app offers an additional layer of protection, building on existing person-to-person contract tracing in place, and the more people that download it and use it, the more effective it will be.

Already downloaded over 1.7 million times since its launch in September, the Protect Scotland app enables people to self-isolate far quicker if they are exposed to the virus, reducing the risk of them infecting others.

Once downloaded, it works in the background, using Bluetooth technology to anonymously alert people if they’ve been near another app user who has tested positive for coronavirus.

And if they themselves test positive, app users are being encouraged to enter the code they’re provided, so close contacts can be quickly notified.

This latest update of the app will also reflect the reduction of the isolation period length to 10 days.

People’s privacy is be protected, as the app uses encrypted anonymised codes to determine close contacts, which are deleted after 14 days.  It doesn’t store details on an individual, or their location.

https://youtu.be/rzGzh0msKNA

Katie Dee, NHS Lothian’s Interim Director of Public Health, said: “I would encourage those aged 12 – 15 to download the free app, and parents to encourage their children to get the app, if they have a compatible smartphone.

“The app helps support NHS Scotland’s Test and Protect system, adding an additional means of notifying people who have been exposed to the virus, allowing them to self-isolate far quicker which reduces the risk of them infecting others.

“Using the app and following FACTS will help protect your household, and help young teens continue to be able to meet up with their friends more safely.  The more people that use it, the more effective it will be in slowing the spread of COVID-19 in the area.”

Download the free app today at protect.scot and protect yourself, your family, and Scotland against coronavirus.

Sixteen year old Scots won’t face PIP ordeal

The Scottish Government will use its new benefits powers to remove the need for children to take part in Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Personal Independence Payment (PIP) assessments.

Under current DWP rules, children getting Disability Living Allowance for Children are asked to apply for PIP six months out from their 16 birthday, but under the Scottish Government changes, young people will continue to get DLA Child, as long as they remain eligible, up to the age of 18.

This means that they will not need to do a DWP PIP application or assessment – which many people say are stressful.

The change comes as the Scottish Government takes full responsibility for disability benefits from April this year.

Social Security Secretary Shirley Anne Somerville said: “We know from people like June Jamieson, a parent who has had direct experience of the current system, that making the transition from child to adult services can be a challenging time for their child and family.

“Adding to this, young people may be going through changes in a number of other areas of their life at the same time. We’ve also been told that the fact that this transition is to PIP, creates even more stress and anxiety.

“This is why we are using our new social security powers to extend the eligibility,  ease the pressure on families and make sure young people in Scotland have adequate time to move from children to adult social security support.

“Our priority for people already getting this support from the DWP is to move them over in a safe and secure way and make sure that people get the financial support they expect, when and where they expect it.”

Ms Jamieson, from Edinburgh, has recently applied for PIP for her son Alex, who turned 16 in January. She said: “So many things are happening in a child with additional needs life when they turn 16, for example they need to think if they are staying on at school, and parents may need to apply for guardianship.

“It will really take the pressure off lots of other families not to have to worry about this. Although Alex won’t benefit from the changes I am really pleased that other people will. I have the fear of the unknown waiting to hear the outcome of his PIP application.”

Teenagers jailed for Prestonfield murder

Three teenagers who beat a pensioner to death in Prestonfield have been given live sentences.

Keirin McMillan (20) was sentenced to 18 years in prison with his younger brother, Aron McMillan (17), given 17 years and three months. A third boy, Levi Hunter (16), was sentenced to 17 years.

The brutal attack took place at around 10.40pm on Thursday, 21 February, 2019, following a report of a disturbance at Alasdair McPherson Forsyth’s flat on Clearburn Road in Prestonfield.

On arrival, 67-year-old Alasdair was found with serious injuries to his head and body. He was pronounced dead at the scene by the Scottish Ambulance Service.

The three teenagers beat Mr Forsyth in a brutal attack with a hammer, a wrench and a screwdriver.

Detective Inspector Bob Campbell, the senior investigation officer on this case, said: “This attack on Alasdair was an unprovoked and cowardly act and the three individuals responsible have rightly been brought to justice.

“Knowing these teenagers will now spend a substantial period of time in prison is a welcome thought to the local community.

“Hopefully today’s news will give Alasdair’s family and friends closure on what has been a horrific period of time.

“I would like to thank officers and staff along with members of the community, who assisted with this investigation.”

Search begins for young teen writers and illustrators

Applications open for Scottish Book Trust’s What’s Your Story? programme

Scottish Book Trust, the national charity transforming lives through reading and writing, has announced that applications are now open for their What’s Your Story? programme.

Now in its fifth year, the scheme has so far assisted around 30 young people from across Scotland to develop writing, illustration and performance projects.  Continue reading Search begins for young teen writers and illustrators

New benefit for teenage carers to launch in autumn

Young carers in Scotland aged 16 to 18 could benefit from a new £300 social security payment.

The Young Carer Grant is the first of its kind in the UK. It will be available to 16, 17 and 18 year olds who help care for someone in receipt of a certain type of disability benefit. The payment will be introduced this autumn.

Following feedback from young carers, eligiblity is being widened to include all 18-year-olds, not just those in education.

In a further another extension of the policy, young carers will now also be able to combine the hours they spend caring for more than one eligible person in order to reach the 16 hours a week requirement.

Young carers will also be able to take respite weeks without this impacting upon their application.

Social Security Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “We are using our new social security powers to recognise the extraordinary contribution young carers make to the lives of those they care for.

“This is the first time young carers aged 16 to 18 will be given a cash benefit to spend as they choose. We will be making these payments at what could be a pivotal stage in their lives – when they may be finishing school, looking for employment or starting further education or training.

“Young carers make an invaluable contribution to society but many have difficulty participating in the normal activities their peers can enjoy. The Young Carer Grant will help ensure they are treated with the dignity, fairness and respect they deserve.”

The Scottish Government is investing £600,000 to support nearly 2000 young carers in 2019/20.

The Young Carer Grant will open for applications in autumn this year and applications can be made online, over the phone or by post.

 

2018 Scottish Teenage Book Prize shortlist revealed

Scottish Book Trust opens voting for the 2018 Scottish Teenage Book Prize as shortlist is announced.

Scottish teenagers posed with a ballot box at the Scottish Parliament yesterday to launch the poll to find Scotland’s favourite teen book of the year. Continue reading 2018 Scottish Teenage Book Prize shortlist revealed