Online Safety and Young People

Since my recent BBC radio broadcasts on online safety, I’ve had the privilege of delivering sessions in schools and community groups, sometimes alongside police colleagues. These sessions provide valuable insight into how safeguarding professionals can help young people navigate online risks.

I’m incredibly grateful to the young people who spoke so candidly about their own experiences online – both during the sessions and in private conversations afterwards. Some even reached out to disclose concerns, leading to signposting them to the appropriate support.

The Reality of Online Content

Young people today exist in an almost parallel digital universe – one that many parents, teachers, and professionals struggle to fully grasp. The ease with which they can access violent content, extreme pornography, misogynistic material, and even self-harm tutorials is alarming.

During one session, students demonstrated how quickly they could access disturbing content – within minutes, we witnessed extreme violence, the degradation of women, radical extremist views, and explicit self-harm guidance. Even with over 30 years of safeguarding, I was deeply shocked.

For some, the novelty wears off over time. As one student put it, “There’s only so much of it you can watch before it gets boring and repetitive.” But for vulnerable young people, this exposure can become addictive, and online chat rooms or certain apps create ideal environments for grooming and exploitation.

The Online Safety Act: Will It Make a Difference?

In response to growing concerns, OFCOM has announced stricter regulations set to be enforced in March 2025 under the Online Safety Act 2023. This legislation aims to:

Require social media companies to protect children from harmful content.
Introduce age verification measures to limit access to inappropriate sites.
Grant authorities the power to shut down non-compliant companies.

While age restrictions may deter younger children from accidental exposure, many teenagers believe they will be easy to bypass. OFCOM has yet to clarify how these restrictions will be enforced and monitored across global platforms.

Many harmful sites operate outside the UK, making jurisdiction and enforcement challenging. As I’ve seen in my work with law enforcement, shutting down harmful websites often results in them reappearing under a new name or domain.

Clearly, this legislation alone is not enough. AI-driven content adds another layer of risk, and as companies find ways around regulations, young people will continue to access inappropriate material. This means that parents, teachers, and professionals must adapt too.

Encouraging Open Conversations

One of the strongest messages from young people I’ve engaged with is that they need adults to be more approachable when discussing online content. Fear of judgment, embarrassment, or punishment often stops them from speaking up.

They also believe schools don’t do enough to address these issues. Many feel that PGCE lessons fail to teach the realities of online exposure or provide sufficient education on healthy relationships and emotional resilience.

Understanding human connection is fundamental to adolescent development. We need to help young people recognise that much of what they see online is fantasy – not a reflection of real-life relationships.

Adapting to a Digital Future

The online world isn’t going away. It’s an integral part of childhood today, and we must change our approach to safeguarding. By fostering open conversations and equipping young people with the tools to critically engage with online content, we can help them build emotional resilience.

While it may feel counterintuitive, normalising discussions about inappropriate material is essential to protecting our young generation.

If your organisation needs support with online safety training or policy development, please contact me

Together, we can build a safer environment for those who need them most.