Report Suggests that Preventable Damage to Children from Lockdown Could Have Been Minimized

Children’s charities have criticized the government for the harm caused to children during lockdown in a report for the COVID Inquiry. In a report titled “What about the children?” released by Save the Children, the Children’s Rights Alliance for England, and Just for Kids Law, it is stated that the impacts of the government response to COVID-19 will have long-lasting effects. However, parents campaign group UsforThem has asked why more children’s charities did not advocate strongly for children when it could have made a difference. The report highlights cases where lockdowns and restrictions have had a profound impact on children, such as increased online grooming and concerns about child safeguarding. The report calls for schools and early years settings to be classified as essential infrastructure for future health emergencies. Molly Kingsley, co-founder of UsforThem, has criticized the lack of advocacy from children’s charities during the pandemic. The Department for Education has stated that they are prioritizing the education and well-being of children affected by the pandemic. The COVID Inquiry has stated that it will investigate the impacts of the pandemic on children and young people. The Department of Education and Save The Children have not responded to requests for comment.



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