Parenting

The European Union is moving to restrict social media use for children under 15. The proposal would set a bloc-wide minimum age for platforms such as Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat, part of growing EU efforts to protect minors online. Officials argue age limits are needed to address risks to children's mental health and safety, though enforcement and the response of major platforms remain key questions.

Professors say the race among parents to give their children an edge in school and life has intensified to a degree they have not seen before. The observation points to rising pressure around admissions, enrichment activities and achievement, with academics warning that intense competition may take a toll on both children and families.

Concerns are being raised about children turning to AI chatbots for guidance, with reports highlighting cases where chatbot advice has been inappropriate or harmful for young users. The issue focuses on the lack of safeguards around AI tools used by minors and the risks of kids relying on automated responses for sensitive personal questions. Commentators are calling for stronger parental oversight and better safety measures from AI providers.

The Washington Post is examining platonic co-parenting, an arrangement in which friends or committed non-romantic partners raise children together without being a couple. The feature asks whether this model could become a mainstream family structure as more people delay or opt out of marriage while still wanting children. It highlights how single adults and friends are increasingly choosing to build households and share parenting responsibilities deliberately.

London's schools are facing a shortage of pupils, according to a Financial Times report. Falling birth rates and families leaving the capital are leaving primary schools with empty places, forcing some to merge or close. The issue is drawing attention because it reverses the years of pressure on school places and raises funding and staffing concerns for the affected schools.

A psychiatrist argues that parents should reconsider sending children away to boarding school, saying it puts 'underdeveloped brains together' without the guidance they need at a formative age. The comments have sparked debate among parents and educators about the emotional and developmental impact of boarding schools versus family life at home.

Debate is growing over whether social media platforms should carry health warnings similar to those on tobacco or alcohol, aimed at encouraging young users to spend less time online. Supporters argue such labels could raise awareness of risks to mental health and sleep, while critics question whether warnings alone would change behaviour among teenagers.

A mother who became the center of a viral parenting controversy says key context was missing from the footage or story that spread widely online. In a direct email to a journalist, she argues the public only saw part of what happened and that the full situation paints her differently than the 'mom of the year' label suggests. The exchange is renewing debate over how quickly viral moments judge parents without the full picture.

A government minister has called for the protection of families and children as the COVID-19 pandemic continues, according to a report carried under a family and parenting focus. The appeal underscores concerns about how the pandemic affects household welfare, parenting and child safety. Details of the minister's identity, country and specific measures were not provided in the available report.

Australian News Corp outlets are running a story on the dangers and challenges teenagers face when starting their first jobs, urging parents to prepare their kids for difficult situations, including knowing how to get out of unsafe circumstances. The piece focuses on what parents should teach young workers before they enter the workforce, particularly around safety and self-protection.

New data on the most popular baby names in Canada has been released, and the top girl's name is not Olivia, a name that has dominated recent rankings in Canada and other English-speaking countries. Parents and name watchers are comparing the Canadian list against trends in the US, UK and elsewhere to see how naming tastes are shifting.

A major inclusion conference for West Yorkshire is due to take place in Leeds next month, according to the Yorkshire Evening Post. The event is expected to bring together people and organisations from across the region to discuss inclusion issues. Further details about speakers, attendees and the exact date have not yet been given.

A foundation in Ogun State, Nigeria, has held a sensitisation programme for parents on positive parenting practices as a way to tackle child abuse. The initiative encourages parents to adopt non-violent, supportive approaches to raising children instead of harmful disciplinary methods.