http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/tech_and_web/article5662525.ece

The new 'opt-in' feature available in Google Maps pinpoints the exact location of loved ones, but has been met with sharp criticism from privacy campaigners. Millions of people will be able to track each and every move by friends and family through their mobile phones, thanks to a new feature launched by Google yesterday.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2009/feb/04/childrens-trusts-ed-balls

Statutory children's trusts will bring together schools and social services to improve the safety of all children in England, Ed Balls, the children's secretary told MPs today. Since 2004 local authorities have been able to set up children's trusts that bring together councils, schools, social services, police and GPs. But some – including Haringey – have not done so and a new government bill due out tomorrow will put them on a legal footing.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/topics/weather/4447058/Children-throwing-snowballs-in-public-could-be-arrested-or-fined.html

Police have vowed to crack down on youngsters caught "acting irresponsibly' following the worst snowfall to hit the UK in 18 years. Those found throwing snowballs in such a way have been warned they face arrest, a fine, or both. The new measures have been introduced in Hertfordshire after a small number of youths damaged motorists' cars.

http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/families/article5636038.ece

Children's lives are being blighted by "obsessive" testing, relentless advertising and a long-hours culture that contributes to family breakdown, the Archbishop of Canterbury says in a report published today. In a scathing attack on a society that he says is organised around the needs and desires of adults, Dr Rowan Williams argues that people must change their ways if Britain is to become a better place for children to grow up in. He also makes an impassioned plea for marriage to be encouraged and valued, not least to set an example to young people about commitment. In a controversial section on family life, the report highlights the high cost paid by children when parents separate.

(This is a more in-depth analysis of the report mentioned in yesterday's story Children's lives 'harder today'.)

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/children_shealth/4431014/Too-much-television-can-make-children-mentally-ill.html

Too much television and time spent on the internet can make children mentally ill, an in-depth report has concluded. Excessive exposure makes a child materialistic, which in turn affects their relationship with their parents and their health.

(This is another take on the childhood report mentioned in Children's
lives 'harder today'.)

http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/families/article5627634.ece

COUPLES who have more than two children are being "irresponsible" by creating an unbearable burden on the environment, the government's green adviser has warned. Jonathon Porritt, who chairs the government's Sustainable Development Commission, says curbing population growth through contraception and abortion must be at the heart of policies to fight global warming. He says political leaders and green campaigners should stop dodging the issue of environmental
harm caused by an expanding population. A report by the commission, to be published next month, will say that governments must reduce population growth through better family planning.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7863343.stm

Children's lives are more difficult now than they were in the past, according to the largest survey into childhood ever to be conducted in the UK. The finding comes despite the authors saying children have better education, health and more possessions. It states children need to be loved and sets out recommendations to parents, teachers and the government on how they can better care for children. The report's recommendations include the introduction of a civil birth ceremony and the possibility for parents to take three-years' leave, with a guaranteed return to work.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/7850871.stm

A child protection database containing the contact details for all under 18-year-olds in England will be accessible to 390,000 staff, say ministers. The ContactPoint database is intended to improve information sharing between professionals working with children. Children's Minister Baroness Morgan said parents would not be allowed to remove their children from the list.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/4358662/Mothers-who-do-not-breastfeed-more-likely-to-abuse-children.html

Mothers who do not breastfeed their children are almost four times more likely to neglect or abuse them, according to new research from Queensland, Australia. Scientists say the findings show that
breastfeeding has important benefits for children due to the bond formed between mother and baby, as well as the benefits of the milk itself.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2009/jan/26/childrens-database-contactpoint

Doctors, social workers and police can look up details on every child in England on a controversial database from today. The £224m directory, called ContactPoint, holds the name, address, date of
birth, GP and school of all under-18s, and is aimed at helping professionals reach children they suspect are at risk. It aims to prevent children falling into gaps between different services and was
set up in response to an inquiry into the murder of Victoria Climbié in 2000.

http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/tech_and_web/gadgets_and_gaming/article5587314.ece

A 10p pencil is just as good as a £100 Nintendo at stimulating the memory, according to a study that dismisses the DS Lite's claims to boost the brain. The survey of ten-year-old children found no evidence to support claims in Nintendo's advertising campaign, featuring Nicole Kidman, that users can test and rejuvenate their grey cells. "The Nintendo DS is a technological jewel. As a game it's fine," said Alain Lieury, professor of cognitive psychology at the University of Rennes, Brittany, who conducted the survey. "But it is charlatanism to claim that it is a scientific test."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/family/4315798/The-pros-and-cons-of-childminders-and-nannies.html

... But now, with the recession biting, savvy professional types are realising childminders are not only cheaper, but the best can rival Mary Poppins when it comes to caring for their charges....

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/children_shealth/4331855/Underage-drinking-crack-down-to-target-rise-in-teenage-pregnancies.html

Alcohol is being blamed for a rise in unplanned teenage pregnancies as the Government launches a new drive to tackle underage drinking. Ed Balls, the Schools Secretary, said that there was a clear link between rising rates of teenage pregnancy and the tendency of a large number of teenagers to drink heavily. The Chief Medical Officer is to set out new guidance on alcohol consumption by children.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/family/4316947/Married-couples-set-to-be-minority-as-more-choose-to-live-out-of-wedlock.html

Married couples will be in the minority by next year, new figures suggest, as increasing numbers choose to live together out of wedlock. Currently just half of adults are now married, down almost 10 per cent in less than a decade.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/family/4314889/The-cost-of-raising-children-soars-to-194000.html

The cost of raising children has soared by more than a third to £194,000 in the last five years, according to a report.