The Big Conversation: Dame Melanie Dawes, Ofcom Chief Executive
As Children’s Commissioner, I have spoken to hundreds of thousands of children about the online world and the impact this has on their daily lives. This ranges from what they like to do online, to how long they spend online and the kind of content they come across. It was clear from The Big Ambition […]
Protecting children online: Why we need to act now to keep children safe from online dangers
An abridged version of the below blog appeared in The Sun’s Fab Daily column on September 7th. As Children’s Commissioner I’ve heard from more than a million young people and been utterly shocked to hear from primary school aged children that they’ve seen extreme content online like porn, violence and other inappropriate content. Children across […]
The Children’s Commissioner’s view on artificial intelligence (AI)Â
In recent years there has been a huge increase in the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools, both in terms of the number of products available on the market and their use by consumers. It is clear there are advantages to the use of AI, but there is still so much that is not yet […]
Digital playgrounds – Children’s views on gaming
Part of the statutory role of the Children’s Commissioner is to consider the views and interests of children. Both are important parts of my role, but sometimes they can be in competition. Listening to children is a principle I hold incredibly tight, but I can see that listening uncritically to children’s views on certain issues […]
Protecting children from serious violenceÂ
‘I think in certain areas we ain’t provided with lots to do and that makes kids fend for their own type of fun and most of us just end up hanging out on the street. This causes knife crime and stuff like that’ – Girl, aged 14 (The Big Ask). Recent months have been heavy […]
Celebrating the RE Council’s 50th Anniversary
Draft speaking notes – speech to the RE Council Speech 3rd May 2023 Thank you so much. It’s a pleasure to be here with you today to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the RE Council. I qualified as an RE teacher in 1991, after my degree in Theology and Philosophy at Heythrop College, University of London […]
Protecting children in the digital age
Keynote Speech at St Mary’s SARC conference ‘Protecting children in the digital age’ Thank you so much for having me here to speak today. I want to take this opportunity to sincerely thank St Mary’s, and all of you here today, for the work you do with children. My team have recently been speaking to […]
Community: the year ahead
My goal for the pillar of the office’s work on ‘Community’ is that, whether online or in their communities, they have safe places to play and grow up, and have confidence in the adults whose job it is to protect them. Last year (2022-23), the office delivered a huge amount of work aimed at helping […]
Celebrating two years as Children’s Commissioner
Today marks the second anniversary of my appointment as Children’s Commissioner for England, and what a two years it has been! What began with The Big Ask, which received over half a million responses (making it the largest ever survey of children and young people in the country), has led to a vision for supporting […]
Resources for children and young people: Annual round-up
Over the last year the Children’s Commissioner’s office has developed a range of resources and shared advice for children and young people: Jobs and skills Where can I go with maths? We have developed ‘Where can I go with maths?’, a resource that profiles role models who use maths or maths skills in their work […]
Community
In The Big Ask, children told me they want affordable, fun and sustaining activities in their local areas and that they wanted to be able to play, go outside, and see their friends. Around half (52%) of children aged 9 to 17 are happy with the choice of things to do in their local area. Children […]
Online Communities: Annual roundup
2022 has been a monumental year for children’s safety online. The Government’s landmark Online Safety Bill was re-drafted following Committee scrutiny; the Bill has recently returned to the House to complete its final stages in the Commons and the Lords. This year, the Children’s Commissioner has tirelessly championed young voices on online safety to Ministers, […]
Archived Content
Children’s Commissioner welcomes findings that 75% of people think impact of sexting and pornography should be taught in schools
Unfortunately, many children are exposed to images and content that are inappropriate for them to see.
The impact of online pornography on children and young people
A quantitative and qualitative examination of the impact of online pornography on the values, attitudes, beliefs and behaviours of children and young people, commissioned by the Children’s Commissioner for England and the NSPCC and carried out by Middlesex University.
Anne Longfield’s comment on the Government’s consultation on implementing age checks on pornography websites
Much of what is depicted in online pornography would not be considered acceptable in real life and that is why it is vital that the Government consultation announced today results in urgent action.
Response to List Of Issues Submitted under Optional Protocol on sale of child pornography, etc.
Response to list of issues on the UK’s initial report submitted under the Optional Protocol on the sale of children, child prostitution, and child pornography
Briefing on the full Government response to the Online Harms White Paper
Three years since the publication of a Green Paper, and over 18 months since a White Paper, the Government has announced its final plans for a new Online Safety Bill. The Children’s Commissioner welcomes this groundbreaking legislation, which is a significant step forward in combatting online harms. There is now much work to be done […]
Six key priorities for after the general election: What should a new government do for children and young people?
With the delivery of the final Budget of the current government last Wednesday and less than 50 days to go until the General Election on 7 May, my thoughts, like many other,s are inevitably turning to what might happen after.
Anne Longfield: Why is PSHE so important?
What is PSHE and why is it so important?
Anne Longfield: My first week as Children’s Commissioner and my immediate priorities
It’s the end of my first week as Children’s Commissioner for England and what a fantastic week it has been! I am determined to use my six year term to make the country a better place for all children and young people to grow up in. I will be drawing on my 30 years’ experience campaigning […]
Submission to Pre-Sessional Working Group of the UNCRC
Submission to the pre-sessional working group of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child on the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland’s implementation of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography
Basically Porn is Everywhere
A Rapid Evidence Assessment on the Effects that Access and Exposure to Pornography has on Children and Young People