Almost 100 unborn babies placed on child protection register in year
The number of unborn babies who are on the child protection register because of concerns about abuse or neglect has increased by more than 150% in the past decade.
Children
Children draw pictures and write letters to cheer care home residents
Children are being urged to draw pictures and write letters to care home residents to help them feel connected during the coronavirus pandemic.
Honesty, affection and technology ‘key to helping children handle isolation’
A combination of physical affection, routines and access to technology are key to helping children overcome isolation and stress during the Covid-19 lockdown, according to an education expert.
Children’s mental health may suffer during pandemic, says WHO
Children could be feeling fearful that they or their loved ones will die during the coronavirus pandemic, health officials have warned.
Kevin Bridges challenges public to double his £20,000 donation to charity
People have been urged to help double a £20,000 donation comedian Kevin Bridges made to a children’s hospice organisation in memory of a “wee pal”.
Childhood immunisations uptake remains high in Scotland, report finds
Annual uptake of childhood immunisations in Scotland remained high last year with just over 96% of children receiving the routine vaccinations in their first year, new figures show.
Parents warned of online dangers for children as schools close
Parents are being warned to remain vigilant to the dangers their children face by spending more time online as schools close due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Hello Mate, Phenomenal here – Scotland’s 2019 baby names revealed
Babies named Heavenly, Phenomenal, Mate and Dream were among the new arrivals in Scotland last year, new data has revealed.
Lib Dem demand for mandatory background checks on all politicians rejected
A Holyrood committee has rejected a call for all elected politicians to be subject to mandatory background checks.
Picture book about coronavirus released as parents report children’s worry
An e-book aiming to “alleviate children’s fears” of coronavirus has been released after a parent reported their child “in tears” with worry over the bug.
UK and allies agree new principles with tech firms around online child safety
A blueprint for keeping children safe on the internet, created by a collection of governments, has been unveiled and endorsed by major technology companies.
Sulphur And White stars praise Childline work
The stars and subject of a film about child sexual abuse have praised the work of Childline as they met counsellors at its offices in Glasgow.
Scotland urged to be a world leader on children’s rights
The Scottish Government is being pressed to fulfil its pledge to incorporate a declaration on children’s rights into law.
Football safety call as north-east coach praises new heading ban
A north-east youth football coach has welcomed a ban on heading for primary school children – but says more needs to be done to keep them safe.
Robots to help poorly children stay in touch
A charity for young hospital patients is using robots to help children keep in touch with their friends even if they are being treated in isolation.
Nissan creates lullaby technology for all-electric Leaf
With half of UK parents resorting to taking their babies and toddlers on a drive in order to send them to sleep, Nissan engineers have devised a way to create a world-first lullaby for its all-electric Leaf.
Facebook gives parents more control over children’s use of Messenger app
Parents will be able to see who their child is chatting with on Facebook’s Messenger app among a slew of improved controls designed to better protect young people online.
Parents ‘increasingly concerned about children’s online activity’
Parents are becoming increasingly concerned about children’s social media and online activity, according to regulator Ofcom.
Summer-born children more likely to struggle with basic skills, figures suggest
More than a third of summer-born children are struggling with key skills including communication and basic maths and literacy at age five, figures suggest.
Many children own mobile phone by the age of seven, report suggests
The majority of children now own a mobile phone by the age of seven, according to a study.
Parents find sex education conversations easier than tech talk, survey says
More than half of parents would rather discuss sex education with their children than technology, a new survey suggests.
Fifth of parents and grandparents admit to not using car seats for children
More than a fifth of parents and grandparents who transport children in their cars admit to not using a child seats at all times, new research has revealed.
Parents ‘more concerned about pupil happiness than test results’
Parents would rather primary schools were judged on pupils’ happiness than test results, according to new research.
Little change to children’s job aspirations, report finds
Children’s job aspirations have changed little in 20 years, according to an international report.
Half of parents wait at least 18 months for autism diagnosis, charity warns
Around half of parents are waiting at least a year and a half for their child to be formally diagnosed with autism, a charity has warned.
New virtual tours to teach children about forests
Virtual tours of the UK’s forests have been launched to teach children about the work and jobs of the forestry industry.
Play is a fundamental human right – Michael Rosen
Play is a fundamental human right, Michael Rosen has said.
System ‘in crisis’ as number of children in care hits 10-year high
New figures revealing the number of children in care has hit a 10-year high point to a care system “in crisis”, the Children’s Commissioner has said.
Marking five years of Aberdeen children making a Big Noise
A community project that uses the power of music to improve the lives of young people in Aberdeen is marking its fifth anniversary.
Level of child exploitation almost back to Victorian times – police chief
The level at which children are being exploited by criminals in Britain is “almost back to Victorian times”, a police chief has said.