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 last five years, I have made the offline and online worlds safer for young people. I pushed for changes to child criminal exploitation laws to protect all children equally and strengthened the Victims Code. I uncovered widespread failings in use of strip searches leading to changes to guidance and training – and driving down use by police. My research into online harms has led the debate and […]
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, […]
What we’ve learned about methods of age assurance on social media
In the offline world, there are systems in place to prevent children from accessing things which may harm them. People wishing to buy alcohol, or enter a casino or nightclub, would have to show ID such as their passport or driver’s license. We do not usually ask for someone’s age and take it at face […]
The Children’s Commissioner’s priorities for online safety
This week the Children’s Office is recognising the importance of online safety for children and young people. In the first of a series of blogs, the Children’s Commissioner discusses why online safety is a major concern for her, and her work in her time as Commissioner to guarantee a safer digital world for all young […]
Community – the Children’s Commissioner’s view
 Children should feel safe to play and have fun in their communities, both online and offline, no matter where they live. What children say about Communities Children value shared spaces in their local community, where they can play and develop strong friendships and skills. However, after mental health, a lack of safe and fun […]
Confederation of School Trusts 2022 conference: Truly Civic
Thank you, Leora, for inviting me to speak at the Confederation of Schools Trusts (CST) 2022 conference – it was an honour. From poet Harry Baker to Dr Jo Saxton, chief regulator of Ofqual, it really was a ‘Truly Civic’ conference. Please see below my speech from the conference. Good morning everyone – I am […]
The Children’s Commissioner gives evidence to the Online Safety Bill Committee
This morning I am appearing before the Public Committee on the Online Safety Bill. Ahead of my evidence to the Committee, I want to outline my concerns and aspirations for this pioneering piece of legislation. Today’s children are born into a digital world which they did not create, and over which they have little control. […]
The Children’s Commissioner’s response to the Queen’s Speech
I am really pleased to see some important measures being introduced in today’s Queen’s Speech. Some of these I have been calling for, on children’s behalf, based on the things they have told me are important to them. Online Safety Bill I am glad to see the Online Safety Bill carried over from the previous […]
Speech
Community
Community is a core pillar of my work as Children’s Commissioner following ‘The Big Ask’, which was the largest-ever survey of children. This survey demonstrated how important being able to play safely both offline and online is to children. Children explained that they want activities to do in their local areas and wanted to be […]
Business Plan 2022-23
Foreword from Dame Rachel de Souza My first and most important task as Children’s Commissioner for England is to listen to the voices of children up and down the country, particularly those who don’t always have their voices heard, to understand what matters most to them, and what help they need to have good childhoods […]
Business Plan 2022-2023
The Children’s Commissioner’s Business Plan for 2022-23
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