Online Issues

Cyberbullying refers to any form of bullying that takes place online, often on social media, messaging platforms, or gaming networks. It can involve spreading false information, sending threatening or hurtful messages, or deliberately excluding someone from online groups. Unlike traditional bullying, cyberbullying can be relentless, as it occurs 24/7 and young people often cannot escape the harassment.

Why is it an Issue?
Cyberbullying can have severe consequences for young people, causing emotional distress, depression, anxiety, and even suicidal thoughts. The anonymity of the internet makes it easier for perpetrators to harass without fear of being caught, and many young people don’t report the bullying because they fear further retaliation or feel embarrassed.

How to Support

• Create an open space for communication: Encourage young people to share their experiences and ensure they feel safe discussing any issues.

• Educate about online safety: Teach young people to use privacy settings, block or report offenders, and avoid engaging with cyberbullies.

• Promote support networks: Help young people access support through services like Childline or NSPCC, and encourage them to lean on trusted friends and family.

Online platforms, including social networks, have policies in place to prevent bullying, harassment, and other abusive behaviour. However, studies show that 91% of people who reported cyberbullying said no action was taken. This can leave victims feeling unheard and vulnerable. It’s important for young people to understand how to report bullying effectively:

How to Report Bullying on Social Media Platforms:

• Facebook:

  • Facebook has strict community guidelines that prohibit bullying and harassment. If someone is being abusive, you can report the content using the drop-down menu next to the post, image, or comment.

  • Facebook also has a policy against identifying, shaming, or posting altered images of individuals to degrade them.

  • Report via: the 'report' option near the content.

• Twitter:

  • To report abusive tweets or replies, you can unfollow or block users. If harassment continues, report it directly via Twitter’s help pages.

  • Report via: Twitter’s in-app tools or their website.

• YouTube:

  • YouTube allows users to flag inappropriate videos and comments. If bullying occurs through comments, use their reporting tool to inform YouTube of abusive behaviour.

  • Report via: the flag icon on videos or comments.

• Instagram:

  • If you’re being bullied on Instagram, block or unfollow the abuser. If the behaviour continues, use Instagram’s reporting tool for in-app support.

  • Report via: the in-app report function.

• Snapchat:

  • If harassment happens via Snapchat, block the person from your contacts, report their actions, or file a report through their online form.

  • Report via: Snapchat’s online form.

How to Report Bullying on Messaging Apps:

• WhatsApp:

  • If you're being bullied in a group chat, you can block the contact and delete the conversation.

  • Report via: WhatsApp support or block function.

With the rise of online gaming, many young people are being exposed to gambling activities through platforms like betting websites, online casinos, and even game apps that promote in-app purchases or gambling-style features. The ease of access and the normalisation of gambling in online spaces is concerning, particularly for young people who are still developing their decision-making skills.

Why is it an Issue?
Young people may view gambling as a harmless form of entertainment, not realising the risks of addiction and financial harm. The ease with which they can access online gambling platforms increases the likelihood of young people developing unhealthy gambling habits. This can lead to financial issues, mental health concerns, and addiction.

How to Support

• Raise awareness about gambling risks: Inform young people about the dangers of gambling and encourage responsible behaviour when engaging with online games or betting.

• Provide tools for self-regulation: Encourage them to set limits and make them aware of the availability of self-exclusion tools offered by many gambling platforms.

• Referral to support services: Encourage young people to reach out to support services such as GamCare, which offers guidance and counselling for those affected by gambling.

What is the Issue?
Social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat often promote an idealised version of beauty and success. Young people are constantly exposed to images of perfection, whether in terms of appearance, lifestyle, or success. Many of these images are edited, filtered, or curated to create an unrealistic standard of beauty.

Why is it an Issue?
Constant exposure to these idealised images can lead to negative self-image, low self-esteem, and body dissatisfaction. Young people, especially adolescents, may feel the pressure to meet these standards, which can lead to unhealthy behaviours such as extreme dieting, excessive exercise, or developing eating disorders.

How to Support

• Promote body positivity: Teach young people to critically assess the content they consume and embrace diverse body types and representations.

• Encourage self-care and self-love: Support young people in focusing on their internal qualities rather than their appearance. Empower them to engage with online spaces that promote self-acceptance.

• Provide mental health support: Refer young people to mental health services like YoungMinds for support related to body image issues.

Online grooming is when an adult or older individual builds a relationship with a young person with the intent of manipulating them for sexual exploitation or trafficking. Groomers often use tactics such as flattery, attention, and gifts to win a young person’s trust, eventually leading them to engage in illegal or harmful activities.

Why is it an Issue?
Young people are particularly vulnerable to online grooming as they may not fully understand the risks of interacting with strangers online. Predators can easily hide their true intentions behind anonymous online profiles, making it difficult for young people to identify the threat.

How to Support

• Education on online safety: Teach young people about the dangers of sharing personal information with strangers and the importance of safeguarding their online identity.

• Encourage trust and openness: Foster an environment where young people feel comfortable discussing any online interactions that make them uncomfortable or suspicious.

• Access to support: Provide access to organisations like the NSPCC, which offer specialised support for young people facing grooming or exploitation.

For more information visit our CCE page

The internet is filled with a vast amount of content, some of which may not be suitable for young people. They may come across violence, graphic imagery, or sexual content, which can lead to confusion, anxiety, or trauma.

Why is it an Issue?
Inappropriate content can negatively affect a young person’s mental health and development. Exposure to graphic violence or explicit content can desensitise them, affect their understanding of relationships, and cause emotional distress.

How to Support

• Use parental controls: Guide young people and their families on how to use parental controls and privacy settings to block inappropriate content.

• Open dialogue: Encourage open discussions about what they see online, and provide a safe space for them to ask questions.

• Access support services: Refer young people to organisations like Childline, which can help them process difficult emotions related to online exposure.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly influencing young people’s experiences online, from personalised content recommendations to the ads they see. AI algorithms use data to tailor online experiences, shaping how young people interact with digital platforms and content.

Why is it an Issue?
AI can create filter bubbles, limiting exposure to diverse viewpoints and reinforcing existing biases. It may also contribute to the manipulation of young people’s preferences, including through targeted advertising or content that promotes harmful behaviours, such as unhealthy beauty standards or materialism.

How to Support

• Teach critical thinking: Help young people develop critical thinking skills when engaging with online content, encouraging them to question the sources and motivations behind what they see.

• Increase awareness of algorithms: Educate young people on how AI and algorithms influence their online experiences, empowering them to make informed decisions about the content they engage with.

The internet has evolved dramatically over the past two decades, transitioning from a basic information-sharing platform to an immersive, interactive space where individuals, especially young people, can live significant portions of their lives. While the internet offers unparalleled access to information, entertainment, education, and social connections, it also continues to introduce new challenges and risks. As technology advances, new dangers are emerging, and it’s essential to recognise and prepare for them.

1. The Rise of Deepfakes and Misinformation

Deepfakes—hyper-realistic videos or images that manipulate reality—have gained attention for their ability to create convincing false representations of people’s words or actions. As this technology becomes more sophisticated, young people may find it increasingly difficult to discern what’s real and what’s fabricated. Misinformation, including fake news and doctored images, can influence opinions, relationships, and even political views.

Emerging Danger: Deepfakes could be used to harass or bully individuals, including young people, by spreading false narratives about them online. In the wrong hands, this technology can be used to manipulate emotions or even damage reputations. For young people, the implications of not being able to distinguish fact from fiction could include distress, confusion, and a loss of trust in information sources.

2. Increased Use of Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR)

Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) are already beginning to transform gaming, education, and social interaction, but their widespread use is still in its early stages. As these technologies become more mainstream, young people will have access to increasingly realistic and immersive experiences that could blur the lines between the digital world and reality.

Emerging Danger: One potential risk is addiction to VR environments, where young people may spend excessive time in virtual worlds at the cost of their real-world responsibilities, relationships, and mental health. There are also concerns about the impact of VR on cognitive and social development, especially for children who may become desensitised to violence or other negative behaviours within virtual worlds. Additionally, VR and AR environments may expose young people to predatory behaviours, such as inappropriate or harmful interactions, as they interact with strangers in immersive spaces.

3. The Growth of AI-Powered Personalisation

As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes more advanced, online platforms are increasingly personalising content, advertisements, and interactions based on individuals’ behaviour, preferences, and even their emotions. For young people, this means that their online experiences are becoming more tailored to their specific interests and habits.

Emerging Danger: While personalisation can be helpful, it also raises the issue of over-targeting. Young people may be unknowingly manipulated by AI algorithms, leading to over-consumption of specific types of content, such as unhealthy beauty standards, consumerism, or even harmful substances. There’s also the risk that young people’s data could be misused or exploited for profit without their full understanding or consent. The sheer volume of personalised information available about them could also result in an increased risk of privacy violations or exploitation.

4. The Impact of Social Media Algorithms on Mental Health

Social media platforms are increasingly driven by algorithms that favour content designed to keep users engaged. These platforms reward content that garners attention, regardless of its impact on users' wellbeing. For young people, this can create a toxic cycle of comparison, validation-seeking, and emotional distress, especially when content is centred around unrealistic beauty standards, status, or “likes.”

Emerging Danger: As algorithms continue to optimise for engagement, young people may find themselves trapped in a cycle of negative social comparison, which can lead to mental health issues like anxiety, depression, and poor self-esteem. The more time they spend on social media, the more vulnerable they may become to cyberbullying and online peer pressure. The constant need for validation through likes and shares may lead to an unhealthy reliance on social media for self-worth, particularly in adolescence when identity development is critical.

5. Exploitation Through Online Communities and Dark Web Access

While the internet has opened up opportunities for young people to find communities, share experiences, and express themselves, there are also risks associated with unsupervised, anonymous spaces online. The rise of dark web communities and underground networks can expose young people to illicit activities, dangerous behaviours, and harmful ideologies.

Emerging Danger: The dark web and online subcultures can provide a gateway for online grooming, radicalisation, or engagement in criminal activities such as hacking, illegal drug use, and cybercrime. Young people may also encounter extreme or dangerous ideologies and content related to violence, hate groups, or even self-harm communities, which can lead to further mental health struggles or involvement in harmful actions.

6. Virtual Identities and the Loss of Privacy

As young people increasingly engage with platforms that promote self-expression, such as social media, gaming, and video streaming, they may inadvertently sacrifice their privacy and safety in exchange for the desire to gain popularity or build a digital persona. Online platforms encourage users to share more personal information, photos, and experiences than ever before.

Emerging Danger: The creation of a public digital identity can expose young people to doxxing (publicly sharing private information), online harassment, or even physical harm from people who exploit their digital profiles. A lack of understanding about digital footprints can also lead to long-term consequences for young people’s careers or reputations as they transition into adulthood. Additionally, over-sharing on social media can also open doors for targeted scams, identity theft, and exploitation by individuals or organisations seeking to profit from their personal data.

7. Potential for Online Addictions Beyond Gaming

With gaming, social media, streaming services, and online shopping platforms becoming more engaging and immersive, the risk of digital addiction is becoming a growing concern for young people. The ease of access, coupled with rewarding experiences that provide instant gratification, makes it easy for young people to become hooked on screen time.

Emerging Danger: Online addiction can lead to negative consequences, including impaired academic performance, strained relationships with family and friends, poor physical health from sedentary behaviour, and heightened stress or anxiety. As young people increasingly turn to the internet for socialising, entertainment, or emotional regulation, they may experience disconnect from reality, leading to feelings of isolation or dependence on digital spaces for their happiness.

There are steps young people can take to safeguard themselves and protect their privacy:

• Keep it private: Avoid sharing personal information such as your full name, address, school, or phone number online. Be cautious about sharing such details, even with friends.

• Think before you post: What you share online may stay there forever. Think twice before posting images or comments that you may regret later.

• Use privacy settings: Ensure social media profiles are set to private to prevent strangers from seeing personal information.

• Don't engage in arguments: Avoid getting into online disputes. This can escalate into harassment and negatively affect your mental health.

• Report inappropriate behaviour: If someone makes you feel uncomfortable or is bullying you online, report it immediately to the platform and seek support from trusted adults.