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Simfin

online safety and digital citizenship specialist

 Tagged with mental health


06 June 2025

People are increasingly turning to social media for mental health support, yet research has revealed that many influencers are peddling misinformation, including misused therapeutic language, “quick fix” solutions and false claims.

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23 May 2025

Researchers at Drexel University’s College of Computing & Informatics analyzed more than 35,000 Google Play reviews of Replika, a chatbot marketed as a judgment-free virtual friend. The study found more than 800 complaints describing harassment and inappropriate conduct, including unsolicited sexual advances and explicit images.

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09 April 2025

A pro-suicide forum is under investigation by the UK's online regulator - its first using new powers under the Online Safety Act.

The forum, which Ofcom has not named, is understood to be a site BBC News has been investigating for the last three years, linking it to at least 50 deaths in the UK.

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05 February 2025

Banning phones in schools is not linked to pupils getting higher grades or having better mental wellbeing, the first study of its kind suggests.

Students' sleep, classroom behaviour, exercise or how long they spend on their phones overall also seems to be no different for schools with phone bans and schools without, the academics found.

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12 September 2024

The person demanded money and threatened to share John’s image online, a crime commonly referred to as sextortion. John lost more than £3,000 trying to stop the blackmailer from sharing the image.

When he had no more money to offer - fearing there was no way out - John thought about taking his own life.

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