Newsround: CBBC’s child-friendly news and digital services
Introduction: Why newsround matters
Newsround is the BBC’s long‑running news service for children, designed to explain national and global events in a way young audiences can understand. Its importance lies in providing reliable, age‑appropriate coverage that helps children make sense of current affairs while offering guidance on managing difficult stories. With bulletins, specialist segments and digital content, Newsround remains a key resource for families and schools.
Main body: What Newsround offers
Formats and availability
Newsround publishes daily bulletins that are available on BBC iPlayer and on the Newsround website. Video content on the CBBC Newsround pages and the Newsround YouTube channel includes regular daily bulletins as well as shorter features and themed strands. Some videos are signed and subtitled, increasing accessibility for a wider range of viewers.
Regular segments and features
The service mixes news with lighter and specialist content. Segments noted on the site and channel include Strange News (the week’s oddities), Happy News (uplifting stories), Your Planet (environmental news), Space News and specific packages such as Press Pack for film and entertainment coverage. Interactive elements include quizzes like the Space Week Quiz and the Big Question strand, which invites debate on topics such as animal species and school life.
Interactivity and wellbeing
Newsround encourages young people to get involved: the website hosts votes and opportunities to have a say on stories, while the YouTube channel provides advice for children who feel upset by the news. These features position Newsround not just as a news source but as a platform that supports media literacy and emotional wellbeing.
Presenters and special programming
Across recent years Newsround has featured a mix of presenters and stand‑ins. Provided information lists Nazia Mogra as a stand‑in presenter from 2015–2020, Leah Boleto from 2009–2021 and Martin Dougan as a stand‑in from 2013–2022. Special programmes and events, including debate formats and occasional specials like ‘Up And Away’, have also formed part of the output.
Conclusion: Significance and outlook
Newsround continues to play a significant role in explaining the news to children through accessible bulletins, diverse video strands and interactive tools. Its presence on BBC iPlayer, YouTube and the website, together with accessible features such as signed and subtitled videos, suggests it will remain a central, trusted resource for young audiences and educators seeking reliable, child‑centred journalism.
