Concerns raised as teens are being exposed to graphic violence on social media

There are concerns over the shocking number of teenagers in the North West being exposed to real-life violence on social media.

New figures from the Youth Endowment Fund reveal that nearly two thirds of teenagers in the North West who are aged between 13 and 17 have been exposed to graphic content such as sexual assaults, threats and fighting while online.

Children have told the service that their fear of violence has lead them to skip school, lose sleep and miss out on usual childhood activities.

Sophie Sheehy from the Salford Fund told us that it's important we reassure children that they won't be threatened with violence: " I think it installs a significant fear in young people of 'what if that could happen to me?' or 'what if that could happen to someone i know?'

"We've seen an increase in people carrying weapons through fear just because they think other people are. So I think it's just how do we prevent that. It has such a significant impact on peoples mental health - just with the anxiety"

"Even going to school and coming home from school, the exposure is so significant for them"

Sophie also said that raising awareness is key: " People can post things and within seconds it's got the biggest reach. Actually educating young people that not everything that you see is exactly what it says on the tin - and how do we give people some of them warning signs that what you might see might have this impact or effect"

You can read more from the Youth Endowment Fund's 'Children, violence and vulnerability report' here: https://youthendowmentfund.org.uk/reports/children-violence-and-vulnerability-2022/

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