The 24-second news cycle has killed off silly season August 12, 2025 In a media landscape fuelled by outrage, the news cycle has no more room for fun or nuance, writes Adam Taylor
Third of young Brits favour authoritarian leader over democracy August 12, 2025 A third of young adults said they would back an authoritarian system if leaders could take decisions more quickly, a new poll has said, in signs new voters believe the UK’s social contract is breaking down and belief in the principles of democracy are fading. In fresh research led by Adam Smith Insights, a sister [...]
Why the Online Safety Act has become a political nightmare August 11, 2025 The UK’s Online Safety Act, which came into force on 25th July, was conceived with the noble aim of protecting children from harmful online content. It mandates that web service providers implement “highly effective” age verification measures to prevent minors from accessing material that promotes suicide, self-harm, eating disorders, or abusive behaviour, as well as [...]
Comparing Nigel Farage to Jimmy Savile marks a new low in politics August 4, 2025 Invoking Jimmy Savile to attack Nigel Farage over online safety is not just offensive – it exposes a deeper intolerance in political debate. Peter Kyle’s remarks cross a dangerous line, says Eliot Wilson You would think that any mainstream politician would think twice before comparing an opponent to Jimmy Savile. The man police believe was [...]
Government defends Online Safety Act after X claims it threatens free speech August 2, 2025 The Government has defended the Online Safety Act after Elon Musk’s X said the legislation was threatening free speech. In a post titled What Happens When Oversight Becomes Overreach, the platform, formerly known as Twitter, outlined criticism of the act and the “heavy-handed” UK regulators. The Government countered that it is “demonstrably false” that the [...]
EE capitalises on parental fears with safer SIMs for under 18s July 29, 2025 EE has unveiled ‘safer SIMs’, a trio of under‑18 mobile plans that bundle together network‑level content filters, throttled speeds, scam protection, and a ‘P.H.O.N.E.’ Chat guide. The move has been backed by in‑store safety clinics across 400+ UK branches and is pitched directly at parents overwhelmed by children’s digital exposure. At her debut briefing as CEO [...]
Trump hails relationship with Starmer – but no steel exemptions yet July 28, 2025 In a Scottish golfing holiday that has swiftly given way to a multi-sided international summit, Keir Starmer has held a bilateral meeting with Donald Trump which has spanned from the UK-US trading relationship to immigration policy and international conflicts. Business secretary Jonathan Reynolds had tempered expectations of immediate steel tariff progress ahead of the meeting, [...]
Jess Carter, the Online Safety Act and a problem that won’t go away July 26, 2025 Online racist and misogynistic abuse of Lionesses defender Jess Carter during the Women’s Euros echoes that faced by Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho after the men’s Euro 2020 final. The Online Safety Act 2023 aimed to make the UK the world leader in this area, so why are we still asking how to [...]
UK hits Big Tech with online safety crackdown July 25, 2025 The UK’s biggest tech platforms are under new legal pressure from Friday as sweeping new child protection laws come into force, requiring firms to deploy strict age verification for harmful content – or face fines of up to £18m, or 10 per cent of global turnover. The new rules, part of the government’s long-trailed Online [...]
Sport England boss Boardman asks Ofcom to act on Lionesses abuse July 22, 2025 Sport England chair Chris Boardman has written to regulator Ofcom to raise concerns about online abuse of the Lionesses during the Women’s Euros. It comes after England defender Jess Carter on Sunday revealed she would step back from social media following online racist abuse she received throughout the tournament. Boardman has written to Ofcom chief [...]