I block transphobes on sight just as I block racists and homophobes so don't waste your time with your bile, bigotry, nonsense and verbal abuse.🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈

Your reminder today, as no one will report it, that the leading children's protection charity in the UK, NSPCC, opposes a blanket ban on social media, along with many other children's safety groups. This is what they've said: "But for countless children, especially those who feel shut out or unheard offline, social media isn’t a luxury. It’s a lifeline – a source of community, identity, and vital support. “A blanket ban would take those spaces away overnight and risks driving teenagers into darker, unregulated corners of the internet. Everyone involved in this debate will have the best interests of children at heart, but children’s fundamental right to participate safely in the digital world, to access information, to connect with peers, and to have their voices heard must be protected. They should not be stripped of those rights because tech companies have repeatedly failed to build platforms that protect them."

The browser I use - Firefox - has a free built-in VPN. Takes just seconds to switch it on. There you are kids. Sorted.

Interesting.........

I don't use WhatsApp so I don't know why it has been excluded from the ban. Can you not spend hours on it? Is it risk-free for kids? #SocialMediaBan

I’m just delighted that my 11-year-old has been robbed of the opportunity to develop basic skills in mainstream social media use. Getting chucked in at the deep end on his 16th birthday will definitely not have any unforeseen negative consequences whatsoever.

Green Party rightly say how "a blanket ban could leave some young people particularly disabled and LGBTQIA people more isolated and cut off from support." But if the Government really cared about preventing suicides they wouldn't withdraw vital healthcare from young trans people.

Unless I'm missing something I assume all of us adults on here and Facebook and YouTube will have to verify our age or be booted off. How else could the #SocialMediaBan for under-16s work?

Lack of specifics in Starmer's announcement. Also some sweeping generalisations, e.g., many kids do other things as well as social media; there are huge waiting lists for activity-based youth organisations because demand exceeds supply. #BBCNews #r4today

Al Carns said "precursors" when he meant "preconditions". #PedantCorner #BBCLauraK

Asked if he'll "run" for the Labour leadership Al Carns says "I'm very good at running". Someone needs to tell him that in the UK people stand for election, they don't run. #bbclaurak

What a coincidence that the Government has finally managed to get a Resident Doctors' strike called off - a strike that would have happened in the week of a crucial by-election. #BBCNews #LBC

I think that's over-engineered. Years ago at Cup Finals my mother used to smuggle her half-time gin and orange into Wembley Stadium disguised as a bottle of orange squash.

Interesting thing here is how the English class/patronage system is so ingrained that it is just assumed Hockney must have been a Sir, because he led such a successful, nationally important life.

When Paul Johnson was head of the "independent and respected" [©️all media] IFS he had to conceal his own political views. But now a Provost of an Oxford College he tells #LBC he'd be up for cutting health-related and disability benefits and Winter Fuel Payment. Nice. 🤦‍♂️

Amol Rajan has given David Hockney the knighthood that he refused in 1990. Poor work. #r4today

Michael Bublé fans will be furious. Gabby Logan talking all over his song before the game. I'm not a particular fan of his but either show it or don't show it but to show it and then talk all over him is shockingly rude. #Canada #WorldCup @BBCSport

Watching Chris Mason's Starmer interview I was struck again by the way every BBC presenter pushes the cut welfare narrative. They raise it even if their interviewee or other guests do not. #BBCNews

There have been many similar reports from inside Government of Starmer's indecisiveness. The exception of course is the alacrity with which he will suspend or expel socialists from the Labour Party and his lack of hesitation in accepting freebies from wealthy men.