Time to take on phone thugs with new campaign warning youngsters against sharing violent footage

The launch of a new Scottish Government-backed campaign warning youngsters against sharing violent footage on social media is a welcome move. It’s recognition of an issue parents and teachers have been well aware of for years.

But too often education bosses have wanted to look the other way whenever it was raised. Quit Fighting For Likes aims to get youngsters to consider their attitudes towards filming violence on smartphones.

It follows the Record’s Our Kids ... Our Future campaign, which has called for tech giants to clampdown on violent footage. We have highlighted several sickening incidents where young people suffered attacks then faced the trauma of having their ordeal broadcast to the world online.

READ MORE:Firm 'sorry' after Scots train passengers trapped overnight in 12-hour ordeal

READ MORE:Met Office issues Scotland snow warning as 'Arctic air' to send temperatures plunging

Action on the issue is long overdue. Smartphones, with their rapidly improving camera technology, are a fact of life now. Today’s teenagers cannot remember a time without them.

It’s up to parents to decide what age kids are handed these devices. But there must also be clear and enforceable guidelines on when it’s appropriate for young Scots to use them, particularly when they are at school.

Some older Scots might think it’s obvious that filming another person being physically attacked is wrong. But the volume of incidents regularly uploaded to social media is very real.

Now that government is taking action, it’s time for the tech giants themselves to get on board. Only when they clamp down on this content will it stop this harrowing trend for good.

Up in the care

The Daily Record has always been supportive of plans for a coherent and properly regulated care home system. After the scandal of care homes deaths during Covid, it was obvious the sector needed a complete overhaul.

Too many private operators were putting profit before the wellbeing of the old people in their care. The SNP Government under Nicola Sturgeon rightly promoted the idea of a National Care Service to get to grips with the crisis.

But the flagship policy lies in tatters. Millions have already been spent on planning and talking shops but nothing appears to be happening on the ground.

Today, we report four out of five care workers balloted by the GMB trade union no longer support the proposals. The Scottish Government needs to get back to the drawing board to ensure staff, public and private care home providers and service users are on board.

Then it has to get on with delivering real change – or consign their plans to the dustbin.

Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here.