Source: UK Safer Internet Centre UKSIC published on this website 14 October 2026 by Jill Powell

Online gaming remains one of the most popular activities for children and young people across the UK, offering opportunities for social connection. However, new findings from Ofcom’s Growing Up Gaming report highlight the importance of helping children navigate the social aspects of gaming safely and confidently.

The research found that 88% of children aged 3-17 play games on a device, while more than half (55%) of young gamers say they play online with people they have never met in person. One in five (20%) report doing this all or most of the time.

Alongside these findings, parents identified communication with strangers as their leading concern. Almost two-thirds (64%) said they worry about their child talking to unknown individuals through games or in-game chat features, placing it above concerns about bullying (60%), inappropriate content (59%) and spending pressures within games (51%).

Turning Concern into Action

While parents are clearly aware of the potential risks associated with online interaction, the research suggests many families are yet to put specific safeguards in place around who children can play with online.

Fewer than half of parents (43%) say they have rules about who their child can interact with while gaming. In contrast, families are more likely to set boundaries around screen time (56%), when gaming can take place (51%) and the types of content children can access (50%).
These findings highlight that online safety discussions should extend beyond managing time spent online. Understanding the social side of gaming is increasingly important as online play becomes a core part of young people’s lives.

Gaming Is About More Than Playing

For many children, online games provide valuable opportunities to communicate, build relationships and develop digital skills. However, these interactions can also expose young people to experiences they may not be prepared to manage on their own. Children may not always recognise when behaviour is inappropriate, when someone is attempting to manipulate, or when an online interaction has crossed a boundary.

This is why the role of parents, carers and trusted adults remains so important. Safety tools and platform protections can help reduce risk, but ongoing conversations help children develop the confidence and critical thinking skills needed to navigate online spaces safely.

Creating Space for Meaningful Conversations

At the UK Safer Internet Centre, we encourage parents and carers to take an active interest in children’s online lives, including the games they play and the communities they are part of.

Conversations about gaming work best when they focus on interest and engagement rather than interrogation. Showing curiosity about what children enjoy can help create an environment where they feel comfortable discussing both positive and negative experiences. Simple questions can help open up these discussions:

– What games have you been enjoying recently?
– Who do you usually play with?
– What do you like about that game?
– Have you ever seen or heard something online that made you feel uncomfortable?
– Do you know what to do if someone is being unpleasant or inappropriate?
– Would you know how to block, mute or report another player?

When gaming becomes a regular topic of conversation, children are often more willing to seek support if they experience something concerning.

Check, Chat, Change

To support this, Ofcom has launched a pilot campaign called Power Up, encouraging parents to adopt three simple actions: Check, Chat and Change.

Check the safety settings on games and devices, including privacy controls, communication settings and age-appropriate restrictions.
Chat regularly about gaming experiences, friendships and any concerns children may have.
Change settings or family agreements when needed, whether that’s limiting contact from unknown players, enabling additional safety tools or reviewing spending controls.

As part of Power Up there are challenges and family activities that young people can get involved with new resources launching later this month.

Source: Suffolk Police published on this website Friday 9 September 2026 by Jill Powell

A new website providing victims and survivors of child sexual abuse and exploitation with information and support, as well as options in relation to requesting a review of a previously closed case, has been launched today.

“I Am Ready.org.uk” offers victims and survivors tailored pathways to specialist advice and guidance depending on their individual needs and requirements, to help them make informed decisions about their circumstances.

Designed in collaboration with victims and survivors of child sexual abuse and exploitation, the new website – for the first time – provides consistent, trauma-informed and accessible information in one place. Users will be able to move through the website at their own pace, with natural breaks and options to save their progress and return whenever they feel ready.

As well as advice, guidance and support, the website offers victims and survivors the opportunity to request a review of their case if it was previously closed as a result of a Crown Prosecution Service or local police force decision.

By answering a series of questions, victims and survivors will be routed to the most appropriate review process based on their circumstances, which may include Operation Beaconport, the Child Sexual Abuse Review Panel (CSARP) and the Victims’ Right to Review Scheme (VRR). Information about reporting abuse to the police or specialist support services will also be available.

Set up following the publication of Baroness Casey’s audit of group-based child sexual abuse and exploitation last year, Operation Beaconport is reviewing investigations between 1 January 2010 and 31 March 2025 where a decision to take no further action was made by police forces or the Crown Prosecution Service.

The new Operation Beaconport portal, which is part of the new IAmReady website, provides victims and survivors with an opportunity to submit information about their case if it was previously closed. Users will be asked to provide as much or as little information as they are able to – including dates and locations of possible offences – as well as any details about the possible perpetrators.

Any information provided will be received and reviewed by specially trained officers from Operation Beaconport, who will cross-check the information provided by victims and survivors with the cases already submitted by police forces, to help determine whether there are any viable lines of enquiry that could enable a case to be reinvestigated. But reinvestigations will only be conducted in liaison with the victim and survivor.

There may be situations where, following a review, the original decision to take no further action in an investigation is upheld. If this happens, and the victim and survivor has requested an update, they will be informed of the decision and provided with advice, guidance and support in relation to other options available to them.

Independent support from specialist organisations, Independent Sexual Violence Advisers (ISVAs) and victim support services are provided throughout the process, and victims and survivors have the opportunity to save their progress and return at a later date. There will also an opportunity for victims and survivors to provide contact details if they want to be kept updated on their request.

Source: Office for Product Safety and Standards published on this website Monday 12 October 2026 by Jill Powell

The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) has told the public to stop using Pimple Popping Squishy toys with needles or syringes with sharp points. 

The warning comes after OPSS launched an urgent investigation following reports these dangerous toys have been sold on the UK market. OPSS has already told online marketplaces to remove any listings of this type from their platforms. They must continue to remove dangerous products from their platforms and warn consumers of the risk. 

While many of the products are marketed as ‘adult stress toys’, they clearly fall within the scope of UK Toy Regulations and present a risk of injury to people of all ages including children. The advertised function of the toy is to use a sharp pointed needle or syringe to produce a bubble in the toy or inject a substance for the user to squeeze, pop or burst. 

OPSS has issued a number of Product Safety Reports to help consumers identify these toys and is asking anyone who may have one in their home to stop using them immediately. Needles should be placed in a puncture-resistant container to prevent them from causing injury until they can be disposed of safely. 

Access your local authority’s website, or contact your local authority, for guidance on the safe disposal in your area. Your local pharmacy or GP surgery may accept sharps for disposal but please check in advance.

Pimple Popping Squishes - Product Safety Alerts, Reports and Recalls - GOV.UK

Source: Church of England published on Thursday 8 October 2026 by Jill Powell

Chris Brain has on the 2 October been found guilty on all remaining charges, following a retrial on the five charges the jury could not agree on in his original trial in 2025.

Brain was convicted in August 2025 of 17 counts of indecent assault against nine women who were members of the Nine O’Clock Service in Sheffield. This retrial concerned the charge of rape, and four further counts of indecent assault, on which the original jury could not reach a verdict.

The Bishop of Sheffield, Dr Pete Wilcox, said: "My first thoughts today are with the women whose courage brought this retrial to a conclusion. They have now given evidence, in full, not once but twice. It is unfortunate that that was necessary, and I am acutely conscious of the cost it has had for them. I am also conscious of the distress experienced by many others who have not been part of the criminal proceedings.

"Last year I offered an unreserved apology for the abuse of power and leadership that took place within the Nine O’Clock Service.  Today’s verdict adds to that same picture, and my apology stands in full.

"Last year I also commissioned an independent Safeguarding Practice Review into how the Church responded at the time. We took the decision to delay that review until these outstanding charges had been resolved, so as not to cut across the retrial. With today’s verdict, that review will now begin, and I remain committed to seeing it through, and to acting on its findings."

Support

Support is available to anyone affected by these events. The Sheffield diocesan safeguarding team is available to listen, to provide practical support and to signpost to independent counselling and specialist services. 

Anyone who needs help or who has information to share is invited to contact the Diocese of Sheffield Safeguarding Team at nos-support@sheffield.anglican.org or visit  www.sheffield.anglican.org/safeguarding. 

Alternatively, you may prefer to access the independent support set out here: sheffdio.org/NOSsupport. 

Support is also available through the independent Safe Spaces helpline on 0300 303 1056 or visit safespacesenglandandwales.org.uk