#318 The Future of Child Online Safety: Insights from Ofcom & LGfL
Release Date: 03/06/2026
#318 The Future of Child Online Safety: Insights from Ofcom & LGfL
The Edtech Podcast
Summary This conversation delves into the critical topic of online safety for children, featuring insights from experts in the field. The discussion covers the impetus behind the Online Safety Act, the roles of organizations like Ofcom and LGFL, and the importance of empowering parents and schools to foster safe online environments. The conversation also addresses the challenges posed by technology, including AI, and emphasizes the need for continuous communication between parents and children regarding online safety. Takeaways The Online Safety Act was prompted by tragic...
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#317 Agility in Action: Schools Responding Across the Middle East
The Edtech Podcast
Summary This conversation explores the current challenges faced by educators in the Middle East amidst ongoing conflicts and the transition to remote learning. Experts discuss the importance of mental health, community support, and effective communication strategies to navigate these turbulent times. They emphasize the need for structured learning, the role of technology, and the significance of cybersecurity in education. The dialogue highlights the collective responsibility of educators to support students and families while maintaining their own wellbeing. Takeaways The education community...
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#316 Navigating EdTech: Inclusion, Investment, and Student Safety
The Edtech Podcast
We begin this episode with Laurie Forcier and Pablo Langa from EDT & Partners, who share their insights on global education strategy and the impact of artificial intelligence amid today’s shifting geopolitical landscape. Next, Graham Feek from Greenwood Academies Trust highlights an important warning regarding potential hardware supply shortages in the education sector. He also emphasizes that schools must begin shifting their culture in how they view technology as an investment that drives efficiency, rather than merely an expense. The conversation continues with Jarno Aantjes from...
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#315 Bett: Global AI, Connected Ecosystems, Iterative Strategy
The Edtech Podcast
We kick off this episode with Neelam Parmar, who shares her insights on digital transformation and the integration of AI within global education systems. Neelam highlights how different regions are leading technological innovation, from online safety standards in the UK and AI-driven healthcare efficiency in China, to groundbreaking tech testbeds in the Middle East. Next, we turn to Derek Devine from Clever, who shares his unique career journey transitioning from a wedding planner to the world of EdTech. Derek explains how the Clever platform is alleviating the burden on schools worldwide by...
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The Edtech Podcast
In this episode, we welcome Edward Fitzpatrick, CEO of Conflow Power, to discuss the revolutionary "iLamp." Edward explains how he is transforming the humble street light from a "dumb," single-use utility into a smart, multi-functional device likening the shift to the evolution from a simple watch to a smartphone. He details the groundbreaking battery technology behind it, which allows these lamps to function off-grid by harvesting ambient energy, effectively creating a self-sustaining power source on every street corner. The conversation expands into the critical intersection of energy and...
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#313 Bett: Lightening the Admin Load, Strengthening Human Connection
The Edtech Podcast
In this episode, we explore the intersection of technology, scalability, and human connection. We begin with Peter Lancet from My Trencher, who discusses the "numbers game" university career services face. He explains how his platform provides an "operational layer" that allows small teams to support thousands of students, moving from reactive advice to strategically identifying and assisting those most at risk. The conversation then deepens with Doug Delpha, a Professor at the University of Strasbourg and AI Engineer. Doug advocates for a return to the "Aristotle and Plato" style of...
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#312 120 Million Users: Canva’s Local Vision
The Edtech Podcast
In this packed short episode, we sit down with Matt from Canva on Day 3 of Bett 2026 to discuss how the platform has exploded to serve over 120 million monthly active teachers and students worldwide. Matt walks us through the "magic" of their latest features, including his personal favorite, Magic Sort. He explains how this AI-powered tool can instantly organize messy classroom brainstorming sessions into structured topics and documents with just two clicks, offering a massive time-saving advantage for busy educators. The conversation also dives into Canva’s ambitious vision for 2026:...
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#311 Bett 2026: Resilience, Credibility, and Evidence
The Edtech Podcast
We kick off this final day at Bett UK 2026 with a splash of joy as Dr. Ali Struthers and James from Taskmaster Education take us inside the "Taskmaster Club." They discuss how the beloved TV format is being used to assess the "unmeasurable" skills like collaboration, lateral thinking, and resilience while teaching children valuable life lessons about fair play and understanding that "not everyone is a winner". Turning to the structural side of education, we navigate the complex world of professional standards with Andy Donachie from The CPD Group, who issues a critical warning about the surge...
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#310 From Reading to Robotics: Transforming Assessment at Bett
The Edtech Podcast
We begin this episode with Andrew from the National Literacy Trust, who unveils the "National Year of Reading" campaign in response to a sharp decline in reading enjoyment among children. Andrew argues that in an AI-first world, literacy is more vital than ever, and shares how connecting texts to students' passions from gaming to sports can rekindle their "reader identity." Next, Connor Gaitley from Edmentum shifts the focus to "career-connected learning." Connor discusses how tools like Major Clarity are helping students explore diverse future pathways whether university or apprenticeships...
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#309 Bett UK 2026: Bringing Joy to Digital Assessment
The Edtech Podcast
We open this episode with Vicky Merrick, who shares insights from her groundbreaking pilot projects on collaborative assessment. Vicky explains how "comparative judgment" is revolutionizing subjective subjects like Art and Music, allowing teachers to achieve high statistical reliability by comparing student work rather than deciphering complex rubrics. Following Vicky, Mark House from RM broadens the discussion to the "global conundrum" of assessment in the age of AI. Mark argues that we must "measure what we treasure" rather than letting technology dictate values, emphasizing the importance...
info_outline- The Online Safety Act was prompted by tragic incidents involving children.
- Empowering parents and schools is crucial for online safety.
- Children's experiences online often differ from their parents'.
- Continuous communication about online safety is essential.
- Technology is an integral part of children's lives today.
- AI poses new risks that need to be addressed.
- Schools should engage parents creatively in online safety discussions.
- Risk assessments are vital for companies serving children.
- Children need to be educated about the risks of online content.
- Regulators must hold companies accountable for user safety.
key topics
Legislation and regulation of online safety (Online Safety Act, Ofcom's role)
Impact of AI and algorithms on children's online experiences
Parental and educational strategies for online safeguarding
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Online Safety and the Guests
03:51 The Impetus Behind the Online Safety Act
05:35 Support from LGFL for Schools and Parents
08:14 The Role of Parents in Online Safety
10:59 Ofcom's Regulatory Role and Responsibilities
13:34 Impact of Algorithms on Children's Online Experience
16:21 Engaging Parents in Online Safety Discussions
18:06 Children's Experiences and Parental Awareness
20:06 Overcoming Parental Barriers to Online Safety Conversations
22:30 The Future of Social Media Regulations
24:38 Empowering Parents and Educators for Online Safety
26:57 Empowering Parents with Resources
28:30 Regulatory Frameworks and Company Accountability
33:40 School Policies on Technology Use
41:45 Navigating the Challenges of AI in Education
47:39 Envisioning a Safer Digital Future
49:57 The Importance of Online Safety in Education
51:04 Navigating the Challenges of AI and Online Safety
Resources
Online Safety Act (UK) - https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/29/enacted
Ofcom's Online Safety Framework - https://www.ofcom.org.uk/online-safety
UN Rights of the Child in Digital - https://www.un.org/en/rights-of-the-child
UNICEF Digital Child Safety Initiatives - https://www.unicef.org/child-rights/digital-safety
LGFL Safeguarding Resources - https://lgfl.net/Safeguarding/
Australian Online Safety Laws - https://www.ag.gov.au/rights-and-protections/children-and-teenagers/online-safety
Ofcom's Research on Children's Online Experiences - https://www.ofcom.org.uk/research/children-online
Global Regulatory Cooperation on Digital Safety - https://www.ituc-csi.org/global-cooperation-digital-safety
The resource I referenced is the Parent Online Safety Toolkit for schools – available to download at https://parentonlinesafety.lgfl.net/