The Social Switch Project’s Post

Last week, I had the privilege of giving oral evidence to the Youth Select Committee, discussing two critical and deeply interconnected topics: social media and violent harmful content. In today’s digital age, the influence of online spaces on young people’s lives is immense, with both positive opportunities and significant risks. From harmful content to the role of social media in perpetuating cycles of violence, our conversation focused on how policy, education, and technology can work together to protect and empower young people. As someone who is passionate about ensuring young people navigate through the digital playground safely, it was inspiring to see leaders and stakeholders coming together to address these challenges thoughtfully. We discussed: 🫸🏼 The urgent need for stricter regulation of harmful online content. 📱 How online platforms can be held more accountable for their role in safeguarding young people. ⚙️ The importance of giving young people the tools and resilience to navigate the digital world safely. 🩷 How online influencers hold a lot of weight when sharing mis/dis/mal information which can translate into community violence. 👩🏼 How easy it can be for users to project misogynistic views and behaviours that insight VAWG. ⚖️ Lastly, to provide education pieces that create personal accountability and balance for young people, to empower them to not overly rely on their devices and social media. This experience was not only a chance to share my perspective but to show how Catch22 and The Social Switch Project are supporting this agenda and also to learn from the incredible expertise in the room. It reminded me that addressing youth violence and online harms requires a collaborative approach - bringing together policymakers, educators, tech leaders, and communities. A huge thank you to House of Commons and National Youth Agency for inviting me to contribute to such an important discussion. I’m looking forward to continuing this work and building safer, more supportive environments for the next generation - both online and offline. Let’s keep these conversations going! If you’re working on solutions in this space or have insights to share, I’d love to connect. #OnlineSafety #YouthViolence #DigitalResilience #Collaboration #OnlineHarms Victoria Head Christina Hicks FIEP Samantha Crandle Samuel Stanyer