The Dark Side of Snapchat: Exposing the Disturbing Reality Faced by Vulnerable Children
2023
The Dark Side of Snapchat: Exposing the Disturbing Reality Faced by Vulnerable Children
A groundbreaking investigation has brought to light the distressing stories and encounters of vulnerable children across Britain who are regularly exposed to videos depicting illegal activities. These videos include fights, beatings, stabbings, sexual assaults, "raids," and even content involving child exploitation and the online sale of weapons and drugs. Shockingly, some children report being exposed to such content multiple times a day, every single day.
Contrary to popular belief, these children are not stumbling upon this content through the dark web or hidden websites accessible only through clandestine networks. Instead, they encounter it on mainstream social media and messaging platforms, with Snapchat being the primary medium. This research reveals that certain individuals misuse Snapchat to organise and amplify fights, establish and destroy reputations, and perpetuate territorial rivalries. Snapchat is their primary local news source for specific demographics, mainly young, urban, and disadvantaged individuals. Consequently, their connection to the world beyond their immediate neighbourhoods diminishes as they witness and share the documented local violence, criminal behaviour, and status struggles. They become confined to a hyper-local bubble that shapes their experiences, attitudes, and expectations.
Unfortunately, this online activity and its ramifications largely go unnoticed by those outside these confined social circles. The children in this research express reluctance to report inappropriate content, fearing the consequences of being labelled a "snitch."
While the experiences of the children involved in this research cannot be generalised to all children, they shed light on the vast disparity between the content they encounter on Snapchat and what is considered acceptable in mainstream society. The rapid and widespread dissemination of this inappropriate and often illegal content among children is a grave concern that fails to cater to their well-being.
Similar experiences were discovered among children throughout Great Britain. The study involved 13 children residing in some of the most deprived areas of Birmingham, Glasgow, London, and Manchester. In addition to the firsthand accounts of these children, the research also incorporated insights from professionals and practitioners, such as youth workers, police officers, liaison officers, and school teachers, who have firsthand experience with the issue.
"Anti-social Media" is an independent research initiative that we have undertaken, self-funded, to explore a crucial yet often overlooked aspect of children's online experiences. By delving into this dark side of Snapchat, we aim to raise awareness and prompt necessary action to protect vulnerable children from the harmful effects of online content.
