Online safety

From AI companions to targeted ads, the web can exert a huge 'digital influence' on young users

What parents must know about 'digital influence', and its risk to kids

Charity's film highlights the severe consequences of online grooming

Several US states are suing the company which owns Facebook and Instagram, Meta, claiming that the social media platforms harm children's mental health. Image by Adobe Photos.

US states sue Meta claiming social media harms kids' mental health

TikTok has said it is taking action to “provide a safe and secure space for [its] global community” and it "stands against terrorism", as the Israel-Hamas conflict continues. Images by Adobe Photos. Composite image by NationalWorld/Kim Mogg.

TikTok is 'taking action' to give a ‘safe space’ amid Israel-Hamas war

Police are warning people about romance fraudsters posing as celebrities, such as Take That singer Gary Barlow (left), TV chef James Martin (middle) and Il Divo singer Urs Buhler (right). Photos by Getty Images.

Police warn romance fraudsters use social media to pose as celebrities

TikTok is being used by incels to spread ‘hateful beliefs’ about women, research suggests. Image by Adobe Photos.

TikTok used by incels to spread ‘hateful beliefs’ about women

Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan told UK bosses at Google, Meta, X, TikTok and Snapchat that they must take down harmful content quickly from their sites. Composite image by NationalWorld/Kim Mogg.

Social media bosses urged to ‘act swiftly' to combat misinformation

Linda Yaccarino, CEO of social media platform X (bottom left) has responded to a letter from European commissioner Thierry Breton (top left) to say that the platform, owned by Elon Musk (right), has taken down hundreds of Hamas-affiliated accounts. Photos by Getty Images.

X has removed hundreds of Hamas-linked accounts, says CEO

The blue whale game, which originated on social media platforms, has been linked to the deaths of numerous teenagers and young adults in the last few years. Composite image by NationalWorld/Mark Hall.

Blue Whale social media game - sinister challenge explained

NationalWorld reporter Rochelle Barrand thinks social media bosses need to do more to stop underage people from creating profiles on social media sites. Composite image by NationalWorld/Mark Hall.

Social media sites must do more to check age of their youngest users Rochelle Barrand

In this photograph illustration a ten-year-old boy uses an Apple IPad tablet computer on November 29, 2011 in Knutsford, United Kingdom. Credit: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

Paedophiles using VR to ‘groom and abuse’ children, NSPCC warns

A doctor has warned people not to take part in a trending TikTok game called the knockout challenge as they say it is "deadly". Photos by Adobe Photos. Composite image by NationalWorld/Mark Hall.

Trending TikTok knockout challenge called 'deadly' by doctor explained

The chroming challenge on TikTok can be fatal for those who take part in it. Photos by TikTok. Composite image by NationalWorld/Mark Hall.

TikTok chroming challenge which killed 13-year-old girl explained

Kaie Willmott, aged 10, who was allegedly almost killed when he was supposedly forced to take part in the TikTok tap out challenge. Photo by SWNS.

Boy, 10, is almost killed by TikTok tap out challenge

An investigation has been launched after teenagers in Southampton were involved in an incident after taking part in the paracetamol challenge. Photo by Adobe Photos.

TikTok paracetamol challenge warning as teens aim for hospital stay

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has condemned people who use social media sites like TikTok to plan crime. Photo by Getty Images.

Rishi Sunak vows to crack down on TikTok crimes

Donna Jones, the chairwoman of the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, has called on parents to make their children aware that taking part in social media trends which encourage crime or dangerous behaviour is unacceptable. Photo of Jones from Donna Jones X account, others by Adobe Photos. Composite by NationalWorld/Kimberely Mogg

Police: Warn your kids about dangerous and morally wrong TikTok trends
Donna Jones, the chairwoman of the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, said “all decent good parents” should be telling their children not to get involved with social media trends which encourage “completely unacceptable” behaviour
Rochelle Barrand

Aoife Mcmorrow (pictured right) went viral on TokTok after admitting to being drunk at a work event due to nerves about meeting new colleagues - but experts have explained how to combat the nerves without the help of alcohol. Photo by Adobe Photos (left) and TikTok/Aoife Mcmorrow (right).

‘Don’t fire me please’: Woman goes viral for being drunk at work event

Some strange TikTok trends are daft, but some can be dangerous.

8 of the most bizarre TikTok trends - from the daft to the dangerous

Peers have demanded changes be made to social media algorithms so that “harmful” content such as “Andrew Tate videos” cannot be promoted via the mechanism. Credit: Kim Mogg / NationalWorld

Social media algorithms should not promote harmful content, peers say

These are the steps you need to take if you want to deactivate or delete your Twitter account.

The 5 steps to take to deactivate and delete your Twitter account

Paedophiles are using the Metaverse to virtually sexually assault children - and there’s a danger this will push them closer towards “real life abuse”, a peer has warned. Credit: Mark Hall / NationalWorld

Exclusive 'Child abusers who use the Metaverse will soon move to real life'

Reality TV star Georgia Harrison was among campaigners calling for tighter legislation (Photo: PA)

Jail terms for ‘revenge porn’ even if no intent to cause distress

It is possible to deactivate your Facebook account if you need a break so that you can reuse it again when you want - here's how to do it.

The steps to take to deactivate your Facebook account explained

Doctor warns against taking part in 'dangerous' TikTok scarf game that killed teen.

Teenage girl died after taking part in TikTok scarf challenge

Matthew King planned to ‘torture, multilate, and kill’ army and police officers after viewing extremist content online. Credit: Kim Mogg / NationalWorld

Exclusive Teen turned to terrorism after being radicalised online during Covid

8 types of malware to be aware of, plus how to protect your devices from attacks.

Explainer Meaning of Malware explained and how to protect your device

WhatsApp is “serious” about ditching the UK, a technology expert has warned, as he urged the government to scrap the “terrible” Online Safety Bill. Credit: Kim Mogg / NationalWorld

Exclusive Online Safety Bill: WhatsApp ‘serious’ about leaving UK, warns expert
The government has said the bill will simultaneously ensure privacy and child safety, but Matthew Feeney has argued having both is “not possible”
Imogen Howse

Firefighters have warned that people should not take part in a dangerous TikTok aerosol challenge.

Explainer Teen left with third degree burns in TikTok aerosol challenge

It is possible for people to become addicted to social media, and for this reason NationalWorld reporter Rochelle Barrand thinks the sign up age for social media sites should be raised to 18.

Social media addiction is real and only adults should be on the sites Rochelle Barrand

The number of extreme sexual abuse content towards children online has doubled since 2020

How to keep children safe online amidst growing online sexual abuse

TikTok trend the Benadryl challenge has caused harm or even death to some young people.

What is the Benadryl challenge? TikTok trend causes death of teen

‘What I Eat in a Day’ and #WaterTok TikTok trends explained

Explainer ‘What I Eat in a Day’ and #WaterTok TikTok trends labelled 'dangerous'

Former Love Island star and Refuge ambassador Sharon Gaffka

Love Island star says she is sent violent sex threats online every day

The Online Safety Bill will ban children from certain parts of the Metaverse by using stricter age verification tools, the government has said. Credit: Kim Mogg / NationalWorld

Children to be banned from parts of Metaverse under Online Safety Bill

Algorithms are a key part of being online - but how exactly do they work? (Credit: NationalWorld/Kim Mogg)

How algorithms tailor our timelines but 'reinforce beliefs and biases'

Major social media companies are not doing enough to reduce online child sexual abuse, the National Crime Agency has said, as it warned that there are more than half a million people in the UK who pose a sexual risk to children. Credit: Kim Mogg / NationalWorld

Exclusive Children at ‘increasing’ risk of online sexual abuse, NCA warns

In 2019, Meta, Twitter, and Google each committed to uphold the Christchurch Call. But the Center for Countering Digital Hate says this was an empty promise (Photos: Getty & Adobe Stock)

Analysis Has the Christchurch Call put a stop to violent extremism online?

WhatsApp could soon be banned in the UK due to requirements of the government’s Online Safety Bill, the app’s boss has warned. Credit: Getty Images

Explainer Why WhatsApp could soon be illegal in the UK

WH Smith has been hacked. Picture: PA

WH Smith employees warned personal information accessed in hack

MPs call for pornography crackdown to tackle violence against women

The Government has announced it plans to outlaw cyber flashing.

Cyberflashing offenders face up to 2 years in jail under new law