'Southport Screenagers' - Should Australian ban on social media be followed in the UK?

WITH the Australian ban on social media accounts for the under 16s coming into force, Southport families must be wondering what would be the impact of a similar ban on the youth of Southport. It's a brave step by Australian lawmakers and worldwide the results would be studied but do we locally there's a problem? Local Lib Dem Councillor, John Pugh, is trying to find out and has set up the Southport Screenager Survey to find out.  John Pugh says that:- "The impact of technology on human behaviour is a huge social issue every society faces and we need to monitor it for better or worse. Most of us know children or grandchildren who seem surgically attached to their phone. Impacts can be positive or negative but cannot be ignored. Some claim our brains are being re-wired and over-stimulated and effects are self-evidently not limited to children. It's important therefore we have a serious conversation about it, though arguably conversation is the really big loser with mobile phones. With Christmas coming many kids will be looking forward to receiving their first phone or upgrade to their last one, but one thing is certain, digital addiction is growing and the addicts are getting younger all the time. Having had a young man drive his bicycle straight into the back of my car recently while checking his social media account, I can see clearly dangers, but nostalgia of oldies for the days of:- 'playing out' is not going to cut it. Our communities need to have the right set of modern rules and protocols in place. That's why we need to talk about the Aussie experiment and not just on social media, and why a local survey should be interesting."

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Liverpool and Manchester named in top 3 kindest UK Cities

BRITS are officially kinder at Christmas compared to the rest of the year, new research has shown, proving that festive cheer really is contagious.
 
A new poll of 2,000 adults, commissioned by Santander, revealed that 35% Brits say they are more inclined to perform random acts of kindness during the Christmas period, whether that is:- donating food or toys to local charities and foodbanks (33%), cooking for friends (19%), supporting local businesses (31%), or checking in on lonely or vulnerable neighbours (21%). 
 
This comes in stark contrast to January, a month in which 18% of Brits believe their compatriots are the least kind, happy or forgiving. 
 
Despite its sometimes Scrooge like reputation, London has been revealed to be the UK's kindest town with 49% of Londoners more inclined to perform random acts of kindness during the holiday season. Kindness hotspots:- Liverpool and Manchester closely followed the capital in 2nd and 3rd place. 
 
30% of Brits say they are more likely to donate to charity over Christmas and 31% report volunteering more during December than in any other month of the year. 
 
Additionally, 34% have volunteered over the festive period, including:- at a soup kitchen, for charity, for community or school events, whilst 52% say they never offer out their own time for free across the rest of the year. 
 
When asked what has the greatest impact on how kind people are during the festive period, 39% of Brits attributed the extra cheer to the enjoyment of:- 'giving' whether that be presents or time, whilst 38% put it down to time spent reflecting on those less fortunate than themselves. 
 
34% report that they are inspired by the idea that:- "we should be kind to others around Christmas time," as seen in Christmas films, books and adverts.  
 
Other acts of kindness reported around Christmas time include:- carving out more time to see friends and family (31%), cooking for loved ones and neighbours (19%), giving out compliments to strangers (19%) and leaving larger tips for restaurant and bar staff working over the Christmas period (16%).
 
To further spread the festive cheer this Christmas, Santander has partnered with viral content creator @Harveyridesbikes, who is swapping Santa's sleigh for an iconic Santander bike to surprise and delight unsuspecting passersby with gifts and red chocolate coins. 
 
The top 10 acts of kindness Brits will carry out to spread joy this Christmas:-

1. Donate food or toys to local charities and foodbanks (33%)

2. Supporting small or local businesses when present buying (31%)

3. Carving out more time to see friends and family (31%)

4. Checking in on vulnerable people or those who may be experiencing loneliness at Christmas (21%)

5. Cooking for other people, such as friends and neighbours (19%)

6. Giving genuine compliments to strangers (19%)

7. Leaving larger tips for waiting staff (16%)

8. Being nicer to work colleagues (13%)

9. Striking up conversation at times they usually wouldn't, such as when commuting (13%)

10. Letting other Christmas shoppers skip their place in the queue (12%)

Festive cheer is so palpable that it can be seen across people's faces; the study reveals a 43% increase in reported smiling and general merriness during the Christmas build up, compared to the rest of the year. 
 
52% report that spending time with loved ones is their favourite part of the festive period, whether that manifests in the form of buying and wrapping presents (32%) or watching Christmas films together (40%). A ⅓ of people also say that giving to others during Christmas - whether through food, gifts, or time, brings them the most joy. 
 
Josie Clapham, Director of Customer at Santander UK, said:- "A little bit of kindness goes a long way, especially at Christmas. Our research shows just how kind the British public is at this time of year, with more people showing goodwill and looking out for others in their community. Christmas can be an expensive time, with many people searching for that perfect gift, but often nothing beats the gift of kindness. That's why we've partnered with HarveyRidesBikes to surprise and delight Londoners with small gifts from a very festive Santander Cycle."
 
Viral Creator HarveyRidesBikes says:- "Riding around on my bike handing out sweets has shown me how small acts of kindness really brings out the best in people, especially at Christmas. A quick chat, a shared laugh or checking in on someone lonely can make a real difference. It's great to see Santander's research confirm that the UK feels the same and isn't a nation of Scrooges."