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Chirp is a built-in child-protection software that makes internet use safer for your children.

By analysing data coming into and going out of your child’s device, Chirp filters it for offensive content, then alerts you if there is any imminent danger

13/07/2026

EU Extends Child Protection Rules

The European Union has agreed to extend temporary rules that allow online platforms to continue detecting, reporting and removing child s*xual abuse material (CSAM) while work continues on a permanent legal framework.

The extension means that technology companies can keep using tools to identify known child s*xual abuse images and videos, as well as some forms of online grooming, without falling foul of EU privacy laws. The temporary measures were due to expire, raising concerns that an important layer of protection could be lost before a long-term solution was in place.

EU officials say the extension is necessary to prevent a gap in child protection efforts and to ensure that platforms can continue supporting law enforcement in identifying and reporting abuse.

At the same time, the decision highlights an ongoing debate across Europe. While few would disagree on the need to protect children online, there are differing views on how to balance that responsibility with privacy rights and the security of digital communications.

The European Commission first proposed permanent legislation in 2022, but reaching agreement has proved challenging, with member states divided on where that balance should sit.

For now, the extension ensures that existing detection and reporting measures can continue while negotiations on a longer-term framework move forward.

www.chirpfamily.com

15/06/2026

UK To Ban Social Media For Under-16's

The UK has taken another major step towards reshaping the digital world for children

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced government plans to introduce a social media ban for under-16s, preventing access to platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, X and YouTube. The proposed legislation goes even further than Australia's landmark social media ban introduced in December 2025, with additional restrictions on livestreaming, communication with strangers, AI companion chatbots, and other features considered high risk for young users.

The announcement comes just weeks after the UK Government instructed technology companies to implement measures preventing children from sending, receiving or viewing n**e images on their devices, highlighting a broader move towards stronger online protections for young people.

Taken together, these developments signal a fundamental shift in how governments are approaching child online safety. For years, the debate centred on parental responsibility and platform self regulation. Today, policymakers are increasingly placing clear legal obligations on technology providers to design products and services that are safe for children by default.

The UK is now joining Australia in establishing one of the world's most restrictive regulatory frameworks for children's online activity. The success or otherwise of these measures will be closely monitored by governments and regulators globally.

What seems increasingly clear is that the debate has shifted from whether children need greater protection online to how those protections should be delivered. Questions around age assurance, content moderation, device level safeguards and platform accountability are likely to move higher up the policy agenda in many countries over the coming years.

www.chirpfamily.com

27/05/2026

Children Are Going Online Younger, Longer, and More Exposed Than Ever

New research from Ofcom in the UK highlights just how deeply digital platforms are shaping children’s daily lives and the growing challenges around online safety.

The newly published “Children’s Online Experiences” report (May 2026) examined the online behaviours of children aged 8–17, alongside parents of children aged 6 months to 17 years.

While the research focuses on UK children, many of the findings strongly reflect what we are seeing across other countries.

Some of the findings that stood out most to us at Chirp:

* Smartphone ownership jumps dramatically between ages 10 and 11, from 56% to 83%

* Children aged 8–14 now spend an average of 25 hours per week online, rising to more than 44 hours weekly for 15–17-year-olds

* 73% of children aged 11–17 reported seeing harmful content online within a four-week period

* TikTok was the platform most commonly associated with harmful content exposure, followed by YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat and Facebook

* Personalised algorithmic feeds remain the biggest driver of harmful content exposure

* AI use among children is accelerating rapidly, with 56% of 8–17-year-olds now using AI tools and 11% saying they have used AI “as a friend” or someone to talk to

* Children are increasingly passive consumers of content, spending more time scrolling, watching, and reacting rather than creating

* Online gaming continues to function as both entertainment and social interaction, with many children regularly communicating with people they have only met online

* Traditional offline activities such as reading for pleasure continue to decline in favour of highly visual short-form content

The report reinforces the scale of the challenge facing parents, schools, policymakers, and technology companies.

Children are going online younger, spending more time connected, and interacting with increasingly sophisticated recommendation systems, AI tools, and social platforms.

A link to the full Ofcom report is detailed in the comments below.

www.chirpfamily.com

21/05/2026

Helping parents navigate social media safely with their children 📱💙

Social media is a huge part of childhood today, but many parents feel overwhelmed trying to keep up with the risks children can face online.

From cyberbullying and harmful content to online grooming, scams, social pressure, and excessive screen time, many online challenges can be difficult to spot early.

That’s why we’ve created our new one-page guide:
“A Parent’s Guide to Navigating Social Media Safely With Your Child”

The guide helps parents:
✔ Understand common online risks
✔ Recognise warning signs and red flags
✔ Learn practical ways to support their child
✔ Use privacy and safety settings more effectively
✔ Encourage healthier digital habits at home

Open conversations, healthy boundaries, and calm support remain some of the strongest protections parents can provide online.

We encourage parents to download, print, and share this guide with other parents, schools, teachers, and families who may find it helpful.

📥 Download the free PDF attached

Together, we can help children build safer and healthier digital habits.

11/05/2026

Australia's Social Media Ban Highlights the Importance of Effective Age Assurance.

New research from Australia suggests that even with under-16 social media restrictions in place, many teenagers are still accessing platforms by simply entering a false age.

But the findings also showed some positive changes:
✔️ More time spent playing sports
✔️ Better sleep
✔️ Reduced online bullying
✔️ Less exposure to harmful content

The bigger takeaway? Child online safety is not just about policy. It’s about effective age assurance and making sure protections actually work in practice.

As more countries look at stronger online safety measures for children, the focus is increasingly shifting towards how platforms verify age and prevent underage accounts from returning after removal.

No technology is perfect, but stronger and independently tested age assurance systems can play an important role in creating safer digital experiences for children and teenagers.

07/05/2026

People are starting to put their phones away… on purpose.

Phone-free events have grown by 567% globally since 2024, with more people choosing real-world connection over constant recording and scrolling.

From gigs and club nights to game nights and social gatherings, a growing number of people want experiences that feel more authentic, spontaneous, and present.

What’s especially interesting is that Gen Z and Millennials are leading this shift.

In a world shaped by screens, algorithms, and performative social media culture, the unrecorded moment is becoming more valuable again.

Maybe being fully present is the new luxury.

www.chirpfamily.com

30/04/2026

First Results from Australia’s Teen Social Media Ban Released

Australia became the first country in the world to introduce a nationwide social media ban for under 16s.

The legislation, introduced in December 2025, is being closely monitored by governments around the world. A number of countries are considering similar measures and are looking to Australia for early evidence and insights.

According to reporting from the global news agency Agence France-Presse (AFP), initial internal Australian government documents obtained by AFP using freedom of information laws provide an early snapshot of how the ban is performing:

• No meaningful shift away from major platforms such as TikTok and Instagram in the first month following implementation

• These platforms continued to dominate app store downloads

• Some users explored alternative apps not covered by the ban, but largely returned to established platforms

• Complaints of cyberbullying on banned platforms increased by 26% year-on-year, with a significant proportion linked to TikTok

Regulators have noted that the data reflects a short time period and does not capture actual usage or user age, meaning longer-term analysis will be required to assess overall impact.

There is significant international interest in the ban and its effects with many countries from around the world engaging with the Australian authorities to better understand the approach and its implementation.

www.chirpfamily.com

28/04/2026

Sony begins age verification for PlayStation users in Ireland and the UK

Sony has begun rolling out age verification requirements for PlayStation users in Ireland and the UK, with full enforcement set for June 2026.

Under the new process, users who do not verify their age will lose access to a range of social features, including voice chat, text messaging, party and group sessions, livestreaming, and third-party integrations such as Discord.

Users can verify their age in one of three ways: by submitting a government-issued ID, completing a facial age estimation scan, or confirming their age through their mobile carrier. Sony is using Yoti, a digital identity provider also adopted by Microsoft when it introduced similar measures for Xbox in 2025.

This development is part of a broader regulatory shift driven by the Online Safety Act, which requires online platforms to take stronger steps to protect children from harmful content and interactions.

It also comes amid wider industry changes. Roblox has recently introduced its own age verification measures following legal challenges and increased scrutiny over child safety on its platform.

Taken together, these developments reflect a growing trend across gaming and digital platforms toward implementing more robust age assurance systems, particularly around social and interactive features.

www.Chirpfamily.com

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