The BBC receives more abusive messages about Marianna Spring than anyone else. But the disinformation correspondent remains hopeful about people – and the world we live in

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How did one single social media post, taken down within hours for being false, still end up being viewed millions of times and presented as credible evidence about the Southport attack?

This demonstrates how important it is to teach adults basic digital literacy skills.

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A man from Northern Ireland has been given a life sentence with a minimum of 20 years in jail for the extreme online sexual abuse of children and the manslaughter of a 12-year-old girl, who was one of his victims.

Alexander McCartney from County Armagh admitted 185 charges - including more than 50 blackmail offences.

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Instagram will stop people from being able to screenshot or screen-record images and videos intended to be viewed once, as part of "ongoing efforts" to prevent sextortion on the platform.

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From December 2024, services will need to act to comply with their duties.

Ofcom will be publishing Codes of Practice and guidance on how in scope companies can comply with their duties. If you provide an online service, there are actions you must take when duties come into force.

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Some of those in favour of smartphones say they provide good opportunities for child development, including socialising, and there is little evidence supporting restrictions of devices in schools.

Mr MacAlister is using the bill to call for:

a legal requirement for all schools to be mobile-free zones

the age online companies can receive data consent from children without permission from parents to be raised from 13 to 16

Ofcom’s powers to be strengthened so it can enforce a code of conduct to prevent children being exposed to apps and services “addictive by design”

further regulation of the design, supply, marketing and use of mobile phones by under-16s, if needed

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