Youth parliament member from Essex urges youngsters to share experiences of violent social media content

Ministers and expert witnesses are due to give evidence on 13th and 14th December as part of this year’s Youth Select Committee inquiry into the links between social media and youth violence.

The Committee's East of England representative, Aman Fatima, has been speaking to Greatest Hits Radio about the topic that's "close to her heart".

"There lots I would like to see improve through this Inquiry - they revolve around awareness, accountability and empowerment.

"I would like to see more education for young people about responsible social media use and the consequences of online behaviour both for themselves and other young people.

"Secondly, social media platforms should take greater responsibility in detecting and addressing harmful content by improving reporting systems and using advanced technology to prevent violent or harmful posts" says Aman, from the Essex constituency.

The Youth Select Committee is an initiative led by the National Youth Agency and supported by the House of Commons to give young people the opportunity to scrutinise and hold inquiries into topics that matter to them.

The twelve committee members are aged 14-19 and include representatives of young people involved in various programmes and groups across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Over two days, the youth panel will hear from twelve expert individuals and ministers to better understand how young people’s exposure to violent content on social media platforms can relate to incidents of serious violence.

This includes knife crime, gun crime, and gang-related activity, committed by or against under-18s.

Aman tells Greatest Hits Radio: "I'd love to see more programmes and campaigns that empower youth to use social media as a tool for positivity and change, rather than harm.

Research published in 2023 suggests that children’s involvement in serious violence is higher than a decade ago, as is the number of young people who lost their lives to violence last year or were admitted to hospital for knife assaults.

Meanwhile a UK Government-backed review, published last month, found that young people as young as 11 are carrying knives because they feel unsafe and concluded that the extent and impact of youth violence is more serious than adults realise.

Aman, who represents the Essex constituency, says "by addressing this issue both through an educational and systematic perspective I'm hoping we can create safer online spaces for young people."

The witnesses will include:

Dame Diana Johnson MP, the Home Office Minister for Policing, Fire and Crime Prevention

Baroness Jones of Whitchurch, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Future Digital Economy and Online Safety at the Department for Science Innovation and Technology

Researchers and academics from the Alan Turing and Oxford Internet Institutes

Representatives of third sector organisations such as NSPCC, Power the Fight, The Social Switch Project, Youth Endowment Fund, Police Foundation, Childnet International, Ben Kinsella Trust

Campaigners often raise concerns about young people’s exposure to violent content online and its role in driving serious youth violence.

Wania Eshaal Ahmad (Yorkshire and Humber), Chair of the Youth Select Committee, said: "Youth violence is a topic which is very close to my heart as I have seen first-hand the huge impact that it has on young people and communities."

"It is essential to listen to young people’s thoughts and experiences on the complex issue of youth violence, specifically in relation to social media, as it will allow us to shape meaningful policies that genuinely reflect the needs and realities of today's youth.

"The Youth Select Committee understands the need for contributions from all walks of life and acknowledges that sharing these thoughts can be challenging, however, every voice adds depth to our research and understanding of this vital issue - this understanding will be critical in driving real, lasting change across the UK."

The Youth Select Committee is also asking young people from across the United Kingdom to submit evidence and share their own experiences with social media content that depicts serious or weapon-based violence.

Previous inquiries conducted by the Youth Select Committee considered the impact of knife crime, and impact of the cost-of living on young people.

The Committee intends to publish its findings in March 2025.

You can submit a written contribution by midnight on 16th January 2025 by emailing: [email protected]

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