TikTok Races to Stop Video of Suicide 

  • TikTok is trying to remove graphic videos circulating on the app that show a man shooting himself with a gun. They are also banning accounts from people who are re-uploading the clip.
  • TikTok says the clip was originally streamed on Facebook and has appeared on other apps. 
  • A TikTok representative confirmed that “clips of a suicide” started circulating on Sunday night, and said, “Our systems have been automatically detecting and flagging these clips for violating our policies”.
  • If you are concerned that any child or young person you know may be experiencing suicidal thoughts, check out our recent blog here where we explore ways to help them.

Youth Worker Caught Sending Facebook Messages to Young Girls 

  • A council worker acted “inappropriately” by contacting two young girls on Facebook Messenger late at night, a hearing has been told.
  • An Education Workforce Council (EWC) panel was told Gary Thomas, a former registered youth support worker for Neath Port Talbot Council, at one point had sent eight messages without receiving a reply.
  • The messages sent included asking a girl “if she was in bed yet” and then following it up with asking if she “got her beauty sleep” in the morning.
  • Mr Thomas led a youth club for 11 to 18-year-olds and his legal adviser said he was regarded as “friendly and supportive” and “went out of his way to help other people”.
  • However, concerns were raised about his conduct when a youngster told one of Mr Thomas’ colleagues they had received an “over-familiar” message from him.
  • Allegations were found proven by an EWC panel that on or around May and/or June 2018 he initiated social media contact with Child A and Young Person B via the service and sent them both messages, which he had admitted.

China Takes Aim Against US Over Tech War 

  • China has taken aim at the US saying its tech firms are victims of “naked bullying”.
  • The accusations come as the Chinese government launches a new set of global guidelines for technology companies.
  • Its new initiative outlaws illegally obtaining people’s data and large-scale surveillance.
  • Last month a similar data privacy effort was announced by the US called The Clean Network.
  • It is the latest clash between Washington and Beijing over data security issues which has already embroiled TikTok, Huawei and WeChat.

Pupil Shot on Way to School

  • A 15-year-old boy is in a critical condition after he was shot on the way to school.
  • Officers were called just after 08:40 BST to the Grange Farm estate in Kesgrave, Suffolk, where a person was later seen receiving medical treatment.
  • Kesgrave High School said it had been told the incident involved one of its Year 11 students. The victim, who was shot once, was flown to hospital.
  • Suffolk Police have arrested a boy, 15, in connection with the shooting.
  • The suspect, who is said to be from the Woodbridge area, was arrested by armed police on suspicion of attempted murder.