Get insight on the reasons why young people may get involved in sexting, what the law says and the impact it can have on their digital wellbeing.
As children engage with others online there is the chance that they may meet people who encouraged them to move from supporting moderate mainstream views to extreme ideological ideas that will affect their behaviour – This is the process by which they can become radicalised.
Often young people are targeted by extremist groups through social networks and enticed to continue conversations on networks that make it easier for them to hide their real identity.
Extremists groups take advantage of young people insecurities and often claim to offer answers and a sense of identity that vulnerable young people may be seeking out.
People who encourage young people are not always strangers; they may have met through family or a social gathering. The internet is then a means for further conversations away from others.
Often children don’t realise that their beliefs have been shaped by others, and think that the person is their friend with their best interests at heart.
Here are a number of signs to be aware of that may show that a child has been radicalised:
- A conviction that their religion is under threat
- Displaying intolerant views to people of other races, religions or political beliefs
- The need for identity and belonging
- Being secretive about who they are talking to online
- Possessing electronic devices that you have not given them
- Becoming emotionally volatile
More than 1,600 children under the age of 15 were referred to a government anti-terror scheme (PREVENT programme) according to figures
Young people may be vulnerable to a range of risks as they pass through adolescence. They may be exposed to new influences and potentially risky behaviours, influence from peers, influence from older people or the internet as they may begin to explore ideas and issues around their identity.
There is no single driver of radicalisation, nor is there a single journey to becoming radicalised. The internet creates more opportunities to become radicalised, since it’s a worldwide 24/7 medium that allows you to find and meet people who share and will reinforce your opinions. Research tells us that the internet and face-to-face communications work in tandem, with online activity allowing a continuous dialogue to take place.
Your child may actively search for content that is considered radical, or they could be persuaded to do so by others. Social media sites, like Facebook, Ask FM and Twitter, can be used by extremists looking to identify, target and contact young people. It’s easy to pretend to be someone else on the internet, so children can sometimes end up having conversations with people whose real identities they may not know, and who may encourage them to embrace extreme views and beliefs.
Often children will be asked to continue discussions, not via the mainstream social media, but via platforms, such as Kik Messenger, Whisper, Yik Yak or Omegle. Moving the conversation to less mainstream platforms can give users a greater degree of anonymity and can be less easy to monitor.
People who encourage young people to do this are not always strangers. In many situations, they may already have met them, through their family or social activities, and then use the internet to build rapport with them. Sometimes children don’t realise that their beliefs have been shaped by others, and think that the person is their friend, mentor, boyfriend or girlfriend and has their best interests at heart.
UK Government Factsheet: Prevent and Channel statistics 2017/2018
Visit siteThere are a number of signs to be aware of (although a lot of them are quite common among teens). Generally, parents should look out for increased instances of:
Educate Against Hate offers support to parents and professional on how to tackle extremism – read advice on ‘How do people become radicalised?’
Visit siteSajda Mughal OBE of JAN Trust provides an insight into how social media and other platforms are being used to radicalise young people
Q&A with psychologist Dr Linda Papadopoulos explores:
Independent – Young people being radicalised into violence by music videos and social media, former gang member warns
Experts give practical advice on how to recognise signs that your child might be at risks of being radicalised and what you can do to support them.
In 2015 the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act placed legal responsibility upon schools to “prevent people from being drawn into terrorism.” A telephone helpline has been put into place for teachers, governors and other staff to raise concerns directly with the Department for Education. Teachers will assess the risk of pupils being drawn into extremist ideologies.
The counter-terrorism requirements also include warnings against extremism, and staff in schools have received training to identify children at risk and “to challenge extremist ideas.” Schools are also required to ensure that pupils do not access extremist material online. Nevertheless, it is important to protect children from extremism in the home, too, and ensure that they feel they are surrounded by trusted adults who they can speak to an approach in the event of a dangerous situation.
Protecting students from the risk of radicalisation is part of schools’ overall safeguarding responsibilities. Read more
‘Channel is a voluntary, confidential programme which safeguards people identified as vulnerable to being drawn into terrorism. It is a multi-agency process, involving partners from the local authority, the police, education, health providers and others.’ Read more
See more articles and resources to help children stay safe online.
