Category: Internet
Online marketplaces easily infiltrated with dangerous products, Which? finds
A Which? investigation has shown how easy it is to list dangerous and illegal products on online marketplaces - suggesting they are failing to protect shoppers using their platforms. The consumer association's researchers signed up as sellers on Amazon, eBay, Etsy and TikTok Shop and successfully listed an illegal heater that Which? reported to three…
Seeing violent online content starts in primary school, claims Ofcom study
Children describe violent content as ‘unavoidable’ online Teenage boys more likely to share violent material to ‘fit in’ with peers Recommender algorithms and group messaging fuel exposure Children’s willingness to report harmful content undermined by lack of trust in process Children first see violent online content while still at primary school and describe it as…
The Future of Internet Speed: What to Expect in 2024 and Beyond
Once upon a time, in the age of dial-up, even one megabit per second was considered a fast internet speed. Today, that’s barely enough to register on an internet speed test, and the average US internet speed is now a sprightly 171 mbps — many times faster than just a few years ago. Plus, many…
Safer Internet Day 2024: Three in four parents worried about online harms
Almost half of children and three-quarters of parents and carers are worried about safety risks amidst fast-paced technological developments such as generative AI. New research released by the UK Safer Internet Centre (UKSIC), coordinators of Safer Internet Day in the UK, reveals that while young people are excited about how developments and changes in technology…
Ofcom report: we’re now spending 56 days a year online!
Ofcom's latest Online Nation research takes a look at how people in the UK are spending their time online. It found that teenagers and children are leading the way in getting to grips with emerging technology like generative artificial intelligence, as well as highlighting a range of other trends. Here we take a look at some…
Black Friday: Google Search’s Top 10 trending products
In the lead-up to Black Friday, the demand for Tazz UGGs, the Steam Deck gaming handheld, Apple AirPods and Adidas Sambas have all soared... Every festive season, there are those ‘it’ products that sell out during Black Friday and Cyber Monday, leaving Christmas shoppers scrambling to buy alternative items. Last year it was money-saving home…
UK’s Online Safety Bill finally becomes law
The Online Safety Act has today (Thursday 26 October) received Royal Assent, placing increased legal duties on social media platforms. The new laws take a zero-tolerance approach to protecting children from online harm, claims the UK Government, while empowering adults with more choices over what their children can see online. The Act places legal responsibility…
Only 17% of users have access to a ‘truly free internet’, study claims
Only 17% of internet users have access to a truly free internet, according to the Atlas VPN team based on data from Freedom House. Generally, conditions online for human rights have deteriorated for the 13th year, with the highest declines occurring in Iran, followed by the Philippines, Belarus, Costa Rica, and Nicaragua. Internet users in…
UK ranks 15th globally in ‘digital quality of life’ index, says report
Surfshark’s 5th annual Digital Quality of Life Index (DQL) ranks the United Kingdom 15th in the world, dropping by six places from last year. Out of the Index’s 5 pillars, the United Kingdom performed best in e-government, claiming 8th place, while facing challenges in internet quality, ranking 32nd. The nation ranks 13th in e-infrastructure, 22nd…
Over half of British parents don’t restrict who kids talk to online
With children more connected than ever, a new study from Tesco Mobile and Internet Matters has revealed insights into the lack of current controls parents have in place to protect their kids. Over half (61%) admit to not having any rules about who their child communicates with online, while only a third (32%) have controls…
