The Digital Challenges Facing Young People

By Chris English

In today’s interconnected world, people are increasingly immersed in online environments and whilst the internet offers opportunities for learning and social connection, it also presents significant challenges.

A recent report by Internet Matters revealed that over half of children accessing news via platforms like TikTok and Instagram often encounter distressing content, such as violent footage without actively seeking it.

These challenges are particularly pronounced among young people involved in the criminal justice system, research indicates that the internet can facilitate adverse experiences for these young individuals such as harmful content and an increased exposure to political motivated content.

If a young person is involved in criminal activity, they may have been introduced to it via social media such as snapchat.

So what is your role as a criminal justice professional?

Professionals working with young people in the criminal justice field are uniquely positioned to advocate for and support safer online practices, some good tools and strategies can be:

• Education and Awareness: Utilising resources like Childnet and YGAM’s Family Hub can provide valuable information on online safety. These platforms offer guidance on topics such as cyberbullying, privacy settings, and recognizing harmful content.
• Digital Literacy Training: Programs like EE’s Safer Sims offer built-in content and spending controls that can’t be turned off. These stop young people from accessing 18+ content whilst on the EE network and has spending controls that cannot be turned off. If you are working with a young person and their parent/guardian is concerned about online use, mentioning the safer sims could be an option.
• Open Communication: Encouraging open dialogues about online experiences can help identify potential risks and provide opportunities for intervention.

Advocating for Systemic Change

Beyond individual support, systemic advocacy is crucial:

• Policy Engagement: Advocating for stronger regulations, such as the UK’s Online Safety Act, can help ensure that tech companies are held accountable for protecting young users however experts it could be said that current regulations may still have loopholes that need addressing.

On a positive note, Internet Matters reported that parents as a whole are increasingly aware of their children’s online presence, highlighting a 5% increase in monitoring of time spent online compared to 2024.

Furthermore they evidenced that children and parents feel safer when out in public or at school due to having a smartphone that they are easily contactable by. It is important to highlight and understand the benefits of our digital tools as well as the challenges.

The digital realm offers both opportunities and challenges for young people, especially those within the criminal justice system. By leveraging educational resources, fostering open communication and advocating for stronger policies, professionals can play a pivotal role in guiding youth toward safer online experiences.

If you are working in the criminal justice sector it is imperative that you read and understand the online safety act and how it impacts practice. Click here to find out more.