Parenting

Professors warn that the race among parents to give their children an advantage has intensified to unprecedented levels, with families investing more time, money and effort than ever in activities meant to boost their kids' prospects. The commentary taps into broader anxieties about education, college admissions and raising children in an increasingly competitive environment.

The European Union is moving to restrict social media use for children under 15. The proposal would set a bloc-wide minimum age for platforms such as Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat, part of growing EU efforts to protect minors online. Officials argue age limits are needed to address risks to children's mental health and safety, though enforcement and the response of major platforms remain key questions.

London's schools are facing a shortage of pupils, according to a Financial Times report. Falling birth rates and families leaving the capital for cheaper areas are leaving schools with empty places, threatening funding and forcing mergers or closures. The story is drawing attention because it signals a wider demographic shift with major implications for education planning in the city.

The Washington Post is examining platonic co-parenting, an arrangement in which friends or committed non-romantic partners raise children together without being a couple. The feature asks whether this model could become a mainstream family structure as more people delay or opt out of marriage while still wanting children. It highlights how single adults and friends are increasingly choosing to build households and share parenting responsibilities deliberately.

News outlets in Australia, including the Geelong Advertiser and the Advertiser in Adelaide, are running a story headlined 'Teach them where to run: The grim reality facing teens in their first jobs'. The piece addresses the difficulties and dangers teenagers can encounter in early employment, urging parents to prepare their children for workplace situations.

Leeds is preparing to host a major conference on inclusion for West Yorkshire next month, according to the Yorkshire Evening Post. The event is expected to bring together people from across the region to discuss inclusion issues, though details on speakers, attendees and the programme have not yet been announced.

Debate is growing over whether social media platforms should carry health warnings similar to those on tobacco or alcohol, aimed at encouraging young users to spend less time online. Supporters argue such labels could raise awareness of risks to mental health and sleep, while critics question whether warnings alone would change behaviour among teenagers.