Snap testing paid subscription called ‘Snapchat Plus’

  • Snapchat is doing internal tests of a paid subscription called ‘Snapchat Plus’.
  • This will give users early access to features and other abilities.
  • An app researcher revealed that features include being able to pin one of your friends as your “#1 BFF” and see who rewatches your stories.
  • This follows Telegram’s premium subscription service being announced earlier this month.
  • Check out Snapchat on our Safety Centre and our new article on Telegram!
  • You can read the full story on the Verge website.

TikTok launches limited test of new viewer history display

  • TikTok have launched a test of its new ‘post view history’ option.
  • This will enable users to see who among their followers has viewed their TikTok clips.
  • This only occurs if viewers opt-in to letting their activity be tracked.
  • You can read the full story on the Social Media Today’s website.

Discord gets autonomous moderation tool

  • Discord has announced a new autonomous moderation tool called AutoMod.
  • This is directly built into the platform to take the strain off human moderators.
  • AutoMod can scan servers for select words and phrases, and automatically block and time out users.
  • Alongside their new launch of AutoMod, Discord have also introduced paid subscriptions with new features.
  • You can read the full story on the Verge website.

Tameside child services ordered to improve

  • A children’s services department has been ordered to improve by the government after an Ofsted report.
  • The report found it had continued to put children at risk, with deteriorated care and a ‘systemic delay’ in dealing with cases.
  • The department has been rated as ‘requires improvement’ since 2019.
  • You can read the full story on the BBC’s website.

Families fear over face-down restraint in schools

  • Families of children with additional support needs have criticised new draft guidelines on the use of physical restraint in schools in Scotland.
  • The draft proposals do not rule out the use of face-down restraint, which experts have said can be fatal.
  • The Scottish government have said restraint should only be used as a last resort.
  • The Children’s Commissioner has said face-down restraint is “never acceptable”.
  • You can read the full story on the BBC’s website.