The Social Switch Project

Safer Internet Day at The Social Switch Project🌐 Yesterday, we brought together young people, professionals, and parents/carers for an enlightening Safer Internet Day Event! The agenda was full of knowledge to empower attendees to protect themselves and others from scams online. Thank you to the amazing speakers who made the event such a success including some of our Youth Ambassadors, representatives Clara Akingbade & Kulsum Miyanjee from the London's Violence Reduction Unit’s Young People’s Action Project, and AbdulKarim Abdullah from Solution Focused World And thank you to Ellie Leacy for organising this event!🙌 If you want to increase your knowledge of young people's online behaviour, find out more about our free Online Harms Training for parents and professionals: https://lnkd.in/enidPaHp Together, we can make the digital world a safer place for everyone🛡️💻 #SaferInternetDay #OnlineSafety

Like millions across the country, I was gripped by the Netflix show Adolescence when it dropped a few weeks ago. It’s sparked an important conversation about how we can better protect young people from harm. That’s why we at Catch22 are so proud to deliver The Social Switch Project (https://lnkd.in/eUnmjSMu), which has trained over 3,000 professionals to recognise and respond to online harms — helping them navigate the complexities of the digital world and safeguard young people. Brilliant to see Jon, Marike, Kayleigh and the team drawing on our experience to influence policy at the launch of the Youth Select Committee’s report on Social Media & Youth Violence at the Houses of Parliament. If you're as passionate about keeping young people safe as we are, and would be interested in an informal chat about how we could work together — drop me a line. You might be a Police & Crime Commissioner, work in Children’s Services at a local authority, or be part of a school community. Let’s talk. #OnlineSafety #YouthViolence #SocialSwitch #Catch22 #Safeguarding #DigitalWellbeing #YoungPeople #SocialImpact #PublicSector #PartnershipWorking #PolicyChange

✨ Stay in the Loop with The Social Switch Project! ✨ Our monthly newsletter gives you exclusive updates on what we've been up to, where we've been, and what’s coming next. Be the first to hear about upcoming events—and get an invite straight to your inbox! 🚀📩 Don’t miss out - subscribe now using the form on our home page: https://lnkd.in/efsxZQbv #StaySwitchedOn #Newsletter #TheSocialSwitchProject

The Youth Violence and Social Media report sheds light on the significant role social media plays in fueling violence affecting young people, revealing alarming insights into its impact. Despite initiatives to combat youth violence over the past decade, prevention has been largely overlooked. Shockingly, 1 in 4 young people reported that social media platforms recommended violent content to them. The Social Switch Project is tackling this gap by providing Online Harms Training, equipping professionals, parents, and trusted adults with the knowledge to prevent and address both online dangers and real-world violence. Read the full report here: https://lnkd.in/ew_VNbWK National Youth Agency

The National Crime Agency (NCA) has published its National Strategic Assessment 2025, outlining the serious crime threats facing the UK. They’re warning against the emergence of sadistic and violent online gangs dedicated to inflicting harm. Find out more: https://lnkd.in/eJwxm2N8 #NSA2025

🚨 New Blog + Video Alert! We asked young people: What do you wish professionals understood about your online lives? Their responses may surprise you: 📱 Social media isn’t just for fun—it’s a space for connection, learning, and opportunity. 💡 To truly support young people, professionals must stay informed and foster open, honest conversations. 🎥 Hear directly from young people in our latest YouTube video: https://lnkd.in/e_ap7i2m 📖 Read the full blog: https://lnkd.in/eF8JhYuh #DigitalYouth #SocialMediaMatters #TheSocialSwitchProject #OnlineHarms #YouthVoice

Lost Boys: State of the Nation by The Centre for Social Justice reveals a concerning reality for many young men and boys across the UK. Among the urgent themes highlighted in the report, Technology stands out. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/e4BUjpg7 The report sheds light on the impact of social media algorithms that prioritise engagement, often amplifying harmful content. Disturbingly, the CSJ’s previous report, Change the Prescription, found that individuals in the UK who use social media daily are 1.73 times more likely to report a diagnosed mental health condition compared to those who never use it. If you're a trusted adult, parent or professional concerned about these findings, The Social Switch Project offers Online Harms training to equip you with the knowledge and tools to: ✅ Understand young people’s online behaviour and provide support. ✅ Recognise and respond to safeguarding risks. ✅ Reflect on your own social media use. ✅ Help young people build resilience to harmful content. ✅ Encourage positive online voices. Let’s work together to create safer digital spaces. Find out more about our training and access resources here: https://lnkd.in/eB2eRfxc

🌟 Last week, we hosted Empowered Journeys: Women Leading the Way at BT – One Braham, a fantastic event dedicated to breaking barriers in STEM, finance, and gaming! Our incredible panel of women shared their experiences and practical advice on thriving in male-dominated industries. Attendees also took part in a confidence-building workshop, had professional headshots taken, and joined a LinkedIn optimisation session—all aimed at helping them advance in their careers. A huge thank you to everyone who joined us in celebrating International Women’s Day and supporting the next generation of female leaders! 💪 Thank you to the following: Irmak Dönmezler, EMEA Strategy and Operations Manager at Google Louise O'Connor, Executive Producer at Rare Games, Microsoft Patrizia Carpentieri BEng(Hons), MSc, CEng MICE, APM(PMQ), Principal Consultant & Senior Design Project Manager at Arup Rachel Sutton, Chartered MCSI, Portfolio Manager at Cazenove Capital Ezgi Orhan, Business Consultant & Career Strategist Thea Symonds, Digital Content Manager Lydia King,photographer (all images are credited to Lydia) Ilke Yilmaz ✨, Claudia Granziol, Ellie Leacy and Kayleigh Milner

From today, online platforms must follow some of the important new Ofcom safety measures related to illegal content. These measures come into effect under the Online Safety Act, with platforms potentially facing penalties should they not comply with the new rules: Quick guide to illegal content codes of practice - Ofcom: https://lnkd.in/e9sXbuCb The Social Switch Project understands the importance of supporting professionals and parents/trusted adults in addressing harmful online behaviour and its real-world impact. Our free Online Harms Training, available both online and in person, provides those closest to young people with the knowledge and tools to respond effectively. Click here to book you slot: https://lnkd.in/eB2eRfxc

Netflix’s Adolescence & Online Safety: A Wake-Up Call for Parents 🚨 Actor Stephen Graham has warned parents about the dangers young people face online, as highlighted in Netflix’s new show Adolescence. The series explores complex and urgent issues, reminding parents to be mindful of the external influences shaping their children’s lives. At The Social Switch Project, we recognise the need to support those closest to young people—professionals, parents, and trusted adults. Our free, CPD-certified Online Harms Training helps participants understand young people’s online behaviour, prevent real-life violence, and encourage positive digital interactions. 📢 Let’s create safer online spaces together. Find out more about our training here: https://lnkd.in/dwTQ_wW https://lnkd.in/eASyjrkW