Hello everyone! Welcome back to your weekly Five Minutes on Friday digest. We have curated the latest tech updates, curriculum ideas, and major digital developments to keep you up to speed with the world of educational technology and innovation.
Grab a coffee, take five minutes, and dive in!
Item 1. Landmark Move: Social Media Ban for Under-16s
In a historic announcement, the UK Government has confirmed landmark legislation to ban social media access for children under the age of 16. The policy aims to “give kids their childhood back” by legally compelling tech companies to enforce strict age verification measures, completely removing this burden from parents’ shoulders.
“Social media platforms will face heavy financial penalties if they fail to systematically block underage users from accessing their services.”
This move comes in response to growing evidence linking prolonged social media exposure in early adolescence to increased rates of anxiety, depression, and body image issues. Tech giants will be expected to deploy robust digital ID and verification tools to comply with the new statutory framework.
- Read the official announcement: Gov.uk Government News
- Curriculum Support: Twinkl has created a dedicated hub featuring a developing range of articles, videos, and curriculum-aligned tools to help schools navigate these updates.
💡Item 2. Online Safety Hub Highlight: Navigating “Sharenting”
With ongoing conversations surrounding teen privacy and safety, the South Tyneside Online Safety Hub has published a critical guide on a concept affecting even our youngest pupils: “Sharenting”—the habit of parents sharing photos, videos, and milestones of their children online.
While typically done with the best intentions, safety experts warn that early digital footprints heavily influence a child’s emerging online identity long before they are old enough to consent. Over-sharing can accidentally expose personal details—such as school uniforms, locations, and birthdates—which can be harvested by data brokers or malicious actors.
- Explore the full parental guide: Visit the South Tyneside Online Safety Hub to read the full guide and share it with your school community.
🍍Item 3. Annual Live Summer Quiz: By the Numbers!
What a day of virtual trivia, high energy, and incredible teamwork! On Tuesday, 16th June 2026, classrooms across our region transformed into live game shows as we hosted our annual Live Summer Quizzes via Google Meet.
This year marked our biggest tournament in history, packed with flawless scores, nail-biting tiebreakers, and a massive surge in participation. Here is how an unforgettable day of quizzing unfolded by the numbers:
| Achievement | Statistic |
| Total Children Participating Live | 1,073 |
| Teams Battling it Out | 42 |
| Schools Represented | 19 |
| Teams with a Perfect 30/30 Score | 7 |
A massive congratulations to all the students and staff who made the day so vibrant and competitive!
Upcoming CPD Courses
Ready to sharpen your skills for the upcoming terms? We have some fantastic online courses coming up.
| Course Name | Date & Time | Description |
| Google Drawings Duo Course (Y5) | Thursday 25th June 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM | Learn to teach Vector Graphics effectively using Google Drawings. |
| DUO Course: Tinkercad Sandcastles | Wednesday 1st July 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM | Bring 3D design into the classroom with a fun, summer-themed Tinkercad session. |
Pricing & Booking Information
- Service Agreement Schools: These CPD courses are FREE to all schools within our current service agreement.
- Other Schools: External schools are more than welcome to join us for £40 + VAT per course.
- How to Book: Get in touch directly with Julia to secure your spot!
Thank you for reading this week’s edition! Stay tuned for more edtech news, practical classroom ideas, and leadership tips in next week’s update.
Have a topic you’d like covered? Feel free to reach out to the team with your suggestions or feedback.
Have a great weekend!
Phillippa Chippendale
ICT in Schools Team