Kids And Teen Accounts On YouTube Are Changing – Here’s What Parents Should Know

Posted on 14/01/2026 by Boris Clair

YouTube has revealed it’s changing children’s accounts in the UK to help parents keep kids safer online.

The update comes as the UK government faces growing calls to follow in Australia’s footsteps and ban social media for under-16s.

A petition to ban it has garnered 25,000 signatures (at the time of writing) and prime minister Keir Starmer has now said he’s open to the idea of a similar ban here in the UK.

In a bid to improve the wellbeing of young users, YouTube has revealed parents will now be able to set time limits for scrolling Shorts, and will also enable caregivers to set bedtime and break reminders.

Parents will be able to set limits for scrolling Shorts

As part of the Online Safety Act, social media companies have a duty to protect children and stop them from accessing harmful or age-inappropriate content. Sites can face fines or be blocked in the UK if they don’t take protective steps.

The social media and online video sharing platform is also launching new ‘Quality Principles’ for content creators, developed alongside experts, to ensure videos created for teens are “age-appropriate” and “enriching”.

What are the quality principles?

Professor Peter Fonagy, head of the division of psychology and language sciences at UCL, which partnered with YouTube to provide evidence-based insights on adolescent development, said: “The mental health of children and young people is a global concern, and in the digital age the content teens encounter online can have both positive and negative impacts.”

He said the new quality principles will give creators a “practical, research-informed roadmap for making videos that are developmentally appropriate, emotionally safe, and genuinely supportive of young people”.

The principles include:

Joy, fun and entertainment: Show humour and warmth that lift teens’ moods like a day-in-the-life video or funny, self-accepting outtakes.
Curiosity and inspiration: Encourage exploration through creative tutorials, behind-the-scenes demos, or new hobbies that are easy to try.
Deepening interests and perspectives: Create deeper dives into subjects teens love, like music, gaming, or fashion, and show process, not just outcomes.
Building life skills and experiences: Offer relatable guidance for real-life moments, like teamwork or budgeting, to help them prepare for the future.
Credible information that supports well-being: Share accurate, age-appropriate information. Use trusted sources and avoid spreading misinformation.

Tell me more about the screentime limits…

YouTube said parents will be able to set time limits for scrolling Shorts – including having the option to set the timer to zero.

This gives parents flexibility to set the Shorts feed limit to zero when they want their teen to use YouTube to focus on homework, for example.

Or they could change it to 60 minutes during a long car trip to keep kids entertained.

Parents can also set custom Bedtime and Take a Break reminders.

There’s also a new account-making process

This has been designed to make it easier for parents to create a new kid account and switch between family accounts in the mobile app, depending on who’s watching, so they’re shown the most appropriate content for their age.

Dr Garth Graham, global head of YouTube Health, said: “We believe in protecting kids in the digital world, not from the digital world. That’s why providing effective, built-in tools is so essential, as parents play a critical role in setting the rules for their family’s online experiences.”

According to the social media giant, the updates will be rolling out from 14 January and will expand globally over the coming months.

‘Tis The Season To Share The Mental Load – Keeping Christmas Merry, Not Messy

Posted on 13/12/2025 by Boris Clair

Every parent knows that the merriment and magic-making surrounding Christmas requires time, energy, and often more capacity than any of us have.

Upended schedules, school plays, non-uniform days, PTA events, parties, end-of-year work deadlines, gift-giving, cooking, baking, entertaining – the mental load, which is hard enough to juggle at the best of times, gets thrown into a pressure cooker.

And if one of you assumes the other is happy to manage everything, it won’t take long to reach breaking point.

It’s no wonder the first working Monday of the new year is often referred to as “Divorce Day”, when the strain over the holidays gets too much, and old wounds and buried resentments resurface.

For most couples, divorce isn’t on the cards. But the holidays can still churn up emotions we’ve managed to bury for most of the year; resentment and frustration can boil over and explode during this intensified time.

If you find yourself feeling withdrawn, short-tempered, unsupported, unseen and unheard – you’re not alone.

Take a step back and think about this while wearing your professional hat: would you ever host a major event without a detailed plan? Would you ever launch a new product without a communications campaign? And would you ever do the whole thing alone?

Think of your household as a mini organisation, and December is your biggest annual event. You need to come together as a team to make it a success.

So, set a time to sit down with your spouse or partner (and the kids if they’re old enough), and use the following questions as a guide. The end result is (hopefully) a smoother, happier, argument-free holiday season.

How to start sharing the load over Christmas

With a shared calendar, review all necessary events: school plays, worship services, Christmas parties, family gatherings.
In work settings we use the word ‘objective’. For the family, let’s stick to priorities. Take a deep breath, and each share your top two priorities for the holiday. (Use this opportunity wisely! These should be selfish. Maybe you don’t want to do dishes for two hours on Christmas night, or you want several hours on Boxing Day to do shopping, or you want to attend your work party and stay late without guilt.) Name what is truly important to you and respect each other’s wishes. It might help to add WHY these are important: maybe they don’t want to do dishes, not because they are lazy, but because they love the end-of-the-day snuggles with kids by the tree. Maybe shopping on Boxing Day is the alone time needed to get through the remainder of the school holiday. Maybe the work party is a way to get on the boss’s good side going into the new year.
If your kids are old enough, ask them their priorities as well! If the kids are still little, agree on three priorities you know they love.
Look at everyone’s priorities collectively and talk about how to keep those as the focus. Are any of them conflicting? Do you have the resources to make everything happen? If any priorities cannot be met, reset expectations now to prevent disappointment on Christmas morning. What are you going to let go of this year because it’s just too much?
Now it is time to make a mini action plan. Create a to-do list together, including everything that needs to happen to meet everyone’s expectations. Include deadlines, and decide who is taking responsibility for which task. Be careful to divide as evenly as possible (including all the gift lists) – one person should not be taking on 80% of the tasks. It’s good to discuss consequences too: what is going to happen if one of you drops the ball and doesn’t complete their list? What impact will that have on the family?
Finally, set follow-up meetings. Sit down together 1-2 times a week throughout the holidays to check in, troubleshoot, see where you might need additional help, and hold each other accountable.

It’s time to leave resentment in 2025 and let the holidays be the start of something new.

Rachel Childs is a parenting equity expert, founder of Parents That Work and co-host at Equal-ish, the parenting podcast.

Elf On The Shelf Inspiration To See You Through To Next Week

Posted on 02/12/2025 by Boris Clair

While there are plenty of parents who are probably too maxxed out to be adding Elf On The Shelf to their daily routine (hi, hello, I am sadly one of them), the annual tradition remains hugely popular among families in the UK and across the pond.

In fact, just over one-third of parents (who have kids aged 10 and under) are thought to be taking part.

Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or are taking it up for the first time this year, here’s a quick recap of what it entails, as well as some inspiration for later in the week when you start to run out of steam…

What is Elf On The Shelf?

Like many new events and traditions here in the UK (ahem, Black Friday), Elf on the Shelf originated in the US, as the story of an elf sent by Santa to watch over kids at Christmas time.

Carol Aebersold and her daughter Chanda Bell came up with the storybook in 2004. “We grew up with this tradition in our home,” Bell previously told HuffPost UK. “When we were children, our Scout Elf, Fisbee, would come to our home and look over our family each year. I have such wonderful childhood memories with Fisbee.”

After it was rejected by publishers, the pair decided to self-publish the book in 2005 and packaged it up with an elf toy. This way, parents could make the elf pop up at different places around the house (as he did in the book), reminding kids he was on the move, keeping an eye out for Santa.

Aabersold and Bell sold the books from the backs of cars and reached out to family and friends they thought might want to adopt the tradition. Then in 2007, a picture was taken of Jennifer Garner walking down the street holding her own Elf on the Shelf box set. The photo went viral and everyone wanted to know more. By 2008, Elf on the Shelf was in major retail stores.

How does Elf On The Shelf work?

In short, elves are “adopted” by families and named. On 1 December, they then pop up somewhere around the house – perhaps with a note saying hi to the kids.

Once children are in bed, parents then place the elf (or elves) in different locations around the house so they are somewhere new when they wake up each morning.

The elf then says goodbye on Christmas Eve.

Elf On The Shelf inspiration

OK, so we’ve established how it all works. Now, here’s some festive inspiration for when you run out of steam and have no idea where to put your elves…

1. Hiding in the tree

2. Sitting on your garden furniture (weather permitting)

3. Hanging out on your wreath

5. Tucking into afternoon tea

6. Munching mince pies

7. Causing mischief with toilet roll

8. Conquering a paper cup pyramid

9. Getting frozen (for all the Elsa fans)…

DfE’s Mock Apology Post To Parents Seriously Misread The Room

Posted on 01/12/2025 by Boris Clair

A Department for Education social media statement went viral, but not in a good way.

The Department published a mock ‘apology’ celebrating the impact of its Breakfast Club initiative.

Unfortunately, instead of sounding human or witty, it read as self-congratulatory and oddly patronising – and within hours, was circulating widely as an example of political comms gone wrong.

As CEO of nanny company Koru Kids, I watched this with dismay for several reasons.

I was saddened because the policy itself is well-evidenced and successful. Breakfast clubs are essential childcare infrastructure, and it’s great that they’ve served over 2.6 million meals. That’s something to celebrate.

But the botched announcement also revealed something deeper about trust, empathy and the currently fragile relationship between families and the state.

One jarring aspect of the statement was its self-congratulatory tone. The government seemed to be taking credit for outcomes actually delivered by exhausted frontline workers.

Breakfast clubs have run because kitchen staff show up at dawn. Childcare works because early years educators absorb the strain every day. Attendance has improved because teachers, SENCOs and safeguarding teams grind constantly.

Parents, too, commented the tone of the statement was ‘off’. One section said the Department’s policy has given parents “alarming amounts of unexpected free time”, suggesting British parents are now luxuriating in extra hours at the spa.

Any parent could tell you this is absurd. Parents use childcare to keep their jobs and put food on the table.

But the humour in these cases was gentle, well-judged, and didn’t punch down.

Satire only works when the audience knows you get them. That’s why your friends can take the mickey out of you, but it’s rude if strangers do – because the jokes have to rest on a base of trust.

Sadly, the Department of Education just has not earned the right to joke about how hard it is to be a parent. They’ve misread the room.

What’s actually happening is that life is becoming ever harder for families.

Brand-new data from Buttle UK shows that 43% of young people in crisis think they might need to drop out of education to work. More than half (55%) of children say they’re sometimes too hungry to learn. 60% of parents can’t afford school shoes. 59% can’t afford uniforms.

Against this backdrop, a joke about parents gaining “unexpected free time” doesn’t just misjudge the tone – it makes people wonder whether policymakers understand what life is like for most people at the moment.

This matters, because we are living through a profound crisis of confidence in institutions.

People reading this statement quite reasonably think, “If they don’t get it, how can we trust them to make policies in our interests?”

Empathy isn’t just a layer of comms you add at the end, it needs to be an integral part of the whole process. When it’s missing, it makes you question the process itself.

And that’s something that really threatens us all.

Rachel Carrell is the CEO of Koru Kids.

Try This Kids’ Toy Organisation Trick Now For A Clutter-Free Christmas

Posted on 30/11/2025 by Boris Clair

I regret to inform you that Christmas is scarily close – a matter of weeks away.

While in theory that’s a good thing (peace and goodwill, mince pies, etc, etc), the reality is often pretty hectic.

The buying, decorating, planning, and endless cooking are one thing; the post-unwrapping living room carnage is another, especially if your kids don’t exactly embrace a minimalist lifestyle when it comes to their toys as it is.

Which is why some experts, like Max Wilson, co-founder of Pocket Storage, say trying a “toy rotation” now can help you come 25 December.

What is a “toy rotation”?

Organisation blogger Tidy Dad described a situation many parents will be familiar with: when he kept all of his kids’ toys in a single playroom, his daughter would “eventually move every toy from a bin onto the floor, leaving no room to play or to walk through the space”.

Since then, though, he adopted a “toy rotation” system: basically, he leaves the majority of his children’s toys in a kitchen pantry out of reach, swapping them out every couple of days so they can still enjoy some variety.

That way, there are never enough items in a single space to truly crowd the carpet.

Speaking to Homes & Gardens, Wilson said he’s a huge fan of the strategy.

“The secret to a stress-free Christmas morning is making space now… By implementing a strategic toy rotation… you instantly clear physical space, curb impulse buying, and make room for the new gifts without feeling overwhelmed.”

He recommended getting going in November. But with vanishingly few days left in the month as of the time of writing, we reckon “ASAP” is the second-best start date.

How often should I swap out toys in a “toy rotation”?

Wilson said it’s a good idea to change the “curated” toys you have out every few weeks.

Life With Less Mess said that, depending on how many toys you have out at any given time, anything from once a week to once or twice a month could work.

They added that you might get some cues from your child or children when it’s time to change the rotation, too – they might start fighting over toys, leaving them on the floor, and/or seeming bored.

When this happens, the organisation site advised, “either involve your kids or wait until they’re gone or sleeping and surprise them with a ‘new’ space”.

If you can, try placing toys in labelled containers – this’ll make packing and unpacking a lot easier.

‘I Told My Son I Knew He Was Gay, My Daughter Said I Made A Big Mistake’

Posted on 12/11/2025 by Boris Clair

A parent has sparked debate over their choice to address their son’s sexuality with him directly – after finding out he had been romantically involved with another man.

The 62-year-old said their wife died a decade ago and, in her absence, he’s tried “to be a more nurturing presence for my kids”.

When attending church, he found out through a friend that his son, who’s in his twenties, had become romantically involved with another man.

“At first I was just surprised, but after I digested the news I was concerned that he clearly didn’t feel able to share this important part of his life with me,” said the parent in a Reddit post.

“We live in a more conservative part of the US and I am an active churchgoer, and we had never really discussed sexuality as a family. As such, I was concerned that he thought I would disown him or something: when in reality, I just love him and want him to find the happiness I had with his mother, whatever form that takes.”

Rather than wait for his son to approach him about it, he decided to address it directly with him, “so he knew I loved and supported him and he didn’t have to worry about telling me”.

“I invited him over for a beer, told him what I knew, and expressed as best I could that it wasn’t something he needed to hide from me,” said the parent, who noted that after his son’s initial shock, he hugged him and told him he appreciated it.

“I felt like the conversation went well and I was closer to him,” he added.

The story doesn’t end there however, as when his daughter found out what had happened, she told him he’d made “a big mistake” and warned that he’d “robbed” his son of the opportunity to come out in his own time.

“I really didn’t get the impression my son felt that way about our conversation, and she didn’t hear from him that he feels that way, but she says it’s obvious he’d be upset,” said the parent.

“So now I’m wondering if I’ve been an asshole telling him I knew? And if so, what I should do next?”

Was he in the wrong to approach his son about this?

Society’s default setting is often to assume someone is heterosexual, which means anyone who isn’t might feel they have to “come out” and share their sexuality with others. This can bring with it a range of emotions, including fear and anxiety, but also relief and excitement.

Whether someone comes out or not is their own personal choice – and they shouldn’t feel the need to do this before they’re ready.

That said, some have praised the father for how he handled this scenario.

One Redditor said: “Personally, as a lesbian who has really religious parents who I was terrified to come out to, I think what you did was lovely.”

Gay men also commented to say he “did good”. One person replied: “Gay here. NTA [not the asshole]. Robbing someone of coming out? That’s like robbing me of being drunk driver hit with a car. You didn’t rob anything. You did a great thing.”

Another respondent said: “Being forced out by someone else is unsettling (trust me, I know) and often dangerous. But this isn’t that. This is just a father saying to a son ‘I love you, gay, straight or purple dinosaur’ and sister needs to stay the hell in her lane.”

What a therapist thinks…

Bhavna Raithatha, BACP accredited psychotherapist and author, said there is “no manual for how to approach such a situation”.

“We don’t know the son’s reaction or response, however from experience, both personally and professionally, there can be immense relief in such a situation as for many, it is hardest for them to come out to their parents due to a variety of reasons including culture, religion, societal norms for them,” she said.

“For this father, he did what he felt was supportive. His intervention will have provided a safe place for his son – albeit sooner than the son might have felt ready, and that is something that can be discussed in due course.”

She noted that for parents in this position, another approach could be to wait until your child approaches you, while creating a safe space. So, if sexuality comes up in the media, on a show, or in conversation, her advice is to be open to discussing it, show that you are supportive, and use affirmative language.

The therapist acknowledged that there may also “be a myriad of emotions that come up as well as concerns, [as] the world still has an issue with LGBTQ+ people”.

“There are a huge number of variables to consider for a parent – their own feelings around sexuality, their religion, culture, family dynamics and their OWN sexuality which may be hidden, etc.”

She advised seeking out resources to educate yourself, such as through support groups like fflag.org.uk.

As for what the father should do now, BACP member Dr Paul C. Mollitt said the important thing is to continue being there for his son. “For now, it helps to centre his feelings, not your own – however difficult that might be. What matters most is that he feels safe, loved, and accepted as he is,” he said.

“In time, when he does talk to you, there may be space to explore what made it hard for him to open up.

“But for now, relating to him with warmth and genuine interest in his life, language that signals openness, and affection that doesn’t change will provide the conditions for him to share more about his personal life when he is ready.”

I’m A Doctor, These Are The Best (And Worst) Sweets To Give Trick-Or-Treaters

Posted on 29/10/2025 by Boris Clair

Halloween is nearly here – meaning dozens of kids are headed to a front door near you very soon.

If you live in an area where trick-or-treating is a pretty big deal, you’ll probably want to buy in some sweet treats to hand out to tiny ghouls and monsters – unless you opt to turn off your lights and pretend nobody’s home (in which case: no judgement, save yourself some cash).

If you are planning to hand out treats however, a doctor has issued a word of warning.

Paediatrician Dr Arindam Das spoke to Totalkare about some specific Halloween dangers that can lead to an increase in “blue light” callouts during spooky season.

One of them is pumpkin carving, he said, due to the obvious risk of cutting themselves.

“Young children are also at risk of choking on hard sweets,” he added.

So what are the safest sweets to give then?

The main takeaway is that hard or boiled sweets should be avoided at all costs for kids under the age of five (so it’s probably a wise move to forego them completely).

Whole nuts, popcorn kernels, chewing gum and small jelly sweets “all are high choking risks”, he added. Nuts are also problematic for those with allergies.

Popcorn might be a surprising one to some parents. However, they are problematic for a few reasons: the kernels are so lightweight they can be sucked up back into a child’s oesophagus, where children can either breathe them in, called aspiration, or they can choke – which is where the airway is blocked.

Dr Das said older children (over-fives) can “usually manage chewy or gummy sweets, but parents should still be cautious with very hard or sticky items”.

The safest alternatives, he noted, are “soft, melt-in-the-mouth treats”, like chocolate buttons, mini muffins or soft jelly.

Little boxes of raisins or dried fruit snacks (like BEAR Paws) can be a decent option for younger children, too – and are free of common allergens like gluten, dairy and nuts.

I’m also a big fan of Soreen lunchbox loaves as children with an egg and/or milk allergy can have them.

And if your little one does get to enjoy a treat (or three) this Halloween, the paediatrician added that having water or milk alongside these sweets can help “reduce dental risk”.

‘My Mum Expects Me To Care For Her In Old Age. How Do I Tell Her I Can’t?’

Posted on 26/10/2025 by Boris Clair

Over-50s own 78% of the UK’s property wealth, and the Financial Times reports that one in five “Boomers” are millionaires (largely due to soaring property prices).

But, like all modern wealth, this is a story of deep inequality. The Centre For Ageing Better says that roughly 18% of older people live in relative poverty; one in six over-55s have zero retirement savings, and 9-12% of rough sleepers are believed to be over 55.

Which means that renting long past retirement age, never mind costly nursing home care, is out of the question for many.

That might lead some, like the mother of Redditor u/Swimsmoke, to assume their children will help with their housing, care, and costs in their old age.

But, like the 6.6 million UK adults who say they wouldn’t know where to start with the commitment, the site user said they’re not sure they’re able to do it.

We asked Dr Barbara Sparacino, an adult and geriatric psychiatrist also known as The Ageing Parent Coach, how to handle the situation.

The original poster (OP) feels guilty

Writing to the forum r/AmItheAsshole (AITA), the OP said that her 63-year-old mother retired from her career 15 years ago but has been making money through a soap business since.

“She lives in a small studio and has a car but not much else to her name,” the woman added, stating that her mother is quite frivolous with her spending and likes to travel a lot.

Ahead of a hip surgery, her mum has started to think about what her future will look like and expects her 30-year-old daughter to “help”.

OP has a few reservations. Firstly, their relationship is a little fraught, and the poster says their mother delivered “bare minimum” care in their teens.

Then, guilt, money, and time come into it.

“I also feel some amount of responsibility for the woman who birthed me, a woman who had a hard and traumatising life as well – but I don’t have the resources to help in any real capacity,” they wrote.

“I don’t have money to throw at the problem, I don’t want to use all my time off for the year taking care of her, and I wouldn’t get paid if I take leave, which I won’t even qualify to take until another six months from now.”

She ended, “AITA for putting myself first here?”

Honesty is the kindest policy

Speaking to HuffPost UK, Dr Sparacino said that, “Often, these expectations are unspoken. A parent might have spent years believing you’d ‘step in one day,’ even if that was never discussed.

“When you finally say you can’t, guilt and fear can flood in, but honesty is an act of love, too.”

There is no point offering something you cannot emotionally or financially afford, she added. So, try to stay clear-sighted and precise about what you’re really able to offer – even if that doesn’t feel like much.

“Maybe you can help plan for future care, find resources, or support them emotionally, but you can’t take on full-time or financial responsibility. That’s not neglect; that’s setting a boundary rooted in realism and care,” the psychiatrist said.

She recommends saying something like, “Mum, I love you and want you to be well supported as you get older. But I can’t be your full-time caregiver. I’d like to help you make a plan so you’ll have what you need.”

Dr Sparacino added that your parent might respond with fear, anger, or sadness.

“Try to respond with calm empathy: ‘I know this is hard to hear, but I want us to plan ahead so neither of us faces this alone,’” she stated.

“You’re not rejecting your parent; you’re protecting both of you from burnout, resentment, and crisis later on. Love without boundaries leads to depletion, not devotion.

“If you’re struggling with this kind of conversation, you don’t have to figure it out alone, reach out to a professional experienced in ageing and family dynamics for guidance and support.”

Help and support:

Mind, open Monday to Friday, 9am-6pm on 0300 123 3393.
Samaritans offers a listening service which is open 24 hours a day, on 116 123 (UK and ROI – this number is FREE to call and will not appear on your phone bill).
CALM (the Campaign Against Living Miserably) offer a helpline open 5pm-midnight, 365 days a year, on 0800 58 58 58, and a webchat service.
The Mix is a free support service for people under 25. Call 0808 808 4994 or email help@themix.org.uk
Rethink Mental Illness offers practical help through its advice line which can be reached on 0808 801 0525 (Monday to Friday 10am-4pm). More info can be found on rethink.org.

I Just Learned The Gruesome Reason Why Chainsaws Were Invented

Posted on 13/10/2025 by Boris Clair

Having been there twice, I think it’s fair to say giving birth isn’t exactly a fun experience. But boy am I glad I gave birth in the 2020s and not the 1800s.

That’s for a plethora of reasons, but mainly this one…

Back in the late 1700s, doctors created a hand-operated medical instrument for cutting through bone. They discovered they could use it to help women give birth if their baby became stuck.

Over time, that instrument has undergone a few modifications but we now know it as the humble chainsaw.

So, the chainsaw was invented to aid with birth?

Partly, yes! As BBC Science Focus explained, the saw “was used to cut away flesh, cartilage, and bone from the mother during childbirth if the baby became stuck in the birth canal”.

Back then the saw, which became known as the “osteotome”, wasn’t like the electric chainsaws of modern day – rather, it resembled a plate with a sharp toothed chain wrapped around it, which was powered by a handle surgeons had to manoeuvre themselves. Check out this TikTok video which shows it in action.

It was also used in other surgeries where bone needed to be cut – such as amputations.

The tool was pretty revolutionary for doctors. According to a paper published in the journal Heritage, the osteotome helped mechanise medical procedures as prior to its invention, surgery was conducted with “hand tools, including hammers, chisels, and saws”.

Bone is notoriously pretty strong, so cutting it or trying to chisel it away with hand tools could result in “patient injury, extreme discomfort, haemorrhaging, and complications during surgery”.

Wait, but what about C-sections?

Caesarean sections (C-sections) have been occurring since the 1800s, and probably even well before then – however, historically the surgery was extremely dangerous and both mother and baby were likely to die, either from the surgery itself, shock or a post-operative infection.

Because of this, C-sections were often considered a last resort.

Per Pharmacy Times, the surgical procedure of the symphysiotomy was more common: “During this procedure, the pubic symphysis, which is a joint above the vulva covered and connected by cartilage and reinforced by ligaments and tendons, is severed to widen the pelvis and make the childbirth process a bit more likely to occur.”

But thanks to modern knowledge around post-operative infections as well as the advancement of anaesthesia, C-sections have gradually become more and more popular and are no longer a last resort for many expectant parents.

In England, 42% of babies were delivered by C-section between 2023 and 2024, NHS data shows.

When did chainsaws become a gardening tool?

As for the evolution of the chainsaw, in the early 1900s, people began to realise the hand-powered surgical saws could be used for other applications, too – like cutting trees.

So, in 1918, James Shand created and patented a portable chainsaw and in 1926, Andreas Stihl – yes, of Stihl power tools fame – developed and patented an electric chainsaw for cutting wood.

What a backstory.

Revealed: This Age Group Of Boys Is Most Vulnerable To Online Abuse

Posted on 11/10/2025 by Boris Clair

The online world is vast – and while it can both educate and entertain kids for hours on end, there are murkier areas where they need to tread much more carefully.

New research from safety experts at McAfee has uncovered the most common online threats facing British children, including: cyberbullying, inappropriate contact and scams.

The study of over 4,300 parents found one in six say their child has been targeted by an online threat in the UK.

The highest risk group is 12-year-old boys, with almost a third (32%) being targeted.

For girls, online dangers tend to emerge later, with reports steadily climbing through the teens and peaking at age 16, where more than one in five parents (22%) say their daughter has been targeted.

What are the most common online threats facing children?

According to the research, cyberbullying or harassment from peers (48%) is the number one threat. Nearly half of UK parents say their child has experienced cyberbullying, while one in three (35%) ranking it in their top three worries.

Cyberbullying can include mean comments, exclusion from online groups or spreading harmful rumours, often through social media platforms.

Scams are also a huge problem – particularly fake social media giveaways or contests (33%), which purport to be giving away gaming consoles, smartphones or designer products.

Children are lured into clicking fraudulent links or providing personal information, with boys aged 13-15 particularly vulnerable.

Similarly, online gaming can be a hotbed for scams. Over a quarter (27%) of parents report their child has been affected by gaming-related fraud, such as fake offers for in-game currency, exclusive items or upgrades.

Scammers often pose as fellow players, using familiarity and trust to get children to share passwords or personal info.

There are also concerns about unsafe or inappropriate contact. One in four UK parents say their child has received inappropriate contact online, with girls being more frequently targeted (29% versus 21% for boys). Unknowns might try to initiate conversations with children via direct messages, chat rooms or even multiplayer gaming platforms.

And lastly, scam messages or phishing texts (21%) – designed to trick recipients into divulging sensitive information, such as passwords, bank details or personal data – are a problem.

Girls are significantly more likely to experience this (29%) than boys (14%), the study found, with those aged 16-18 most at risk.

The rise of AI-generated scams

Worryingly, parents are also noticing a rise in the use of AI-generated deepfakes and nudify technology. Nearly one in six UK parents say their child has experienced deepfake image or nudify app misuse.

Girls are facing this threat the most – 21% of parents say their daughter has been impacted, compared to just 11% for sons.

Boys are more likely to be targeted by AI-generated voice cloning scams, instead – where fraudsters use AI to mimic the voice of loved ones through phone calls, voicemails or voice notes.

Recently, experts advised families to come up with a “safe phrase” so they can tell if a phone call or message is an AI-generated scam or not.

Understandably, when children are impacted by these online threats, the emotional and psychological effects are significant and can include anxiety, academic struggles and social withdrawal.

How to keep kids safe

It’s clear parents need to be having ongoing conversations with their kids about online safety. (Check out these helpful guides from Internet Matters and the NSPCC if you need somewhere to start.)

But what else can we be doing to keep kids safe? Here are McAfee’s top tips:

Pair tools with talks: Combine parental controls with regular, judgement-free conversations about harmful content, coercion or bullying so your children know they can come to you. Explain what cyberbullying and scams might look like, and that it’s okay to block or report people.
Teach “trust but verify”: Show balanced digital habits yourself as children copy what they see. Show them how to pause, check sources and ask for help when something feels off – especially with AI-altered media.
Talk about the risks of oversharing: Remind children never to share personal information such as their name, school, address or phone number. Encourage strong passwords and explain two-factor authentication.
Set and revisit a family tech contract: Create clear boundaries with kids about screen time, online behaviour, and device use – and update them as your child grows.
Keep devices secure: Ensure all devices are updated with the latest security settings and include AI-powered scam protection to help spot and flag suspicious links or manipulated content before it can do harm.

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