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Internet safety, online radicalisation and young people with learning disabilities
Author(s) -
Caton Sue,
Landman Roderick
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
british journal of learning disabilities
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.633
H-Index - 39
eISSN - 1468-3156
pISSN - 1354-4187
DOI - 10.1111/bld.12372
Subject(s) - the internet , psychology , internet privacy , public relations , political science , computer science , world wide web
Accessible SummaryA lot of people with learning disabilities enjoy using the Internet every day and use social media on their mobile phones. Staying safe online is important. This research used interviews and focus groups to find out what children, young people, their parents and teachers thought about Internet safety, extremism and online radicalisation. Extremism is when people have strong and dangerous views about laws or religion. Radicalisation is when people support extremism in a dangerous way. People can be targeted on the Internet to talk them into supporting extremism. The young people said they knew a lot about staying safe online, but parents were concerned about risks. When people with learning disabilities learn about staying safe online, they should be given information about online radicalisation and grooming for terrorism.Abstract Background Young people with learning disabilities are increasingly using the Internet but can be vulnerable to being victimised online. As learning disability services develop guidance on how to support Internet use, it is important to explore what support is necessary. Methods This research used interviews and focus groups to explore what children, young people, their parents and teachers thought about Internet safety, extremism and online radicalisation. Results Results showed that the students were active Internet users and were confident about online safety but parents were concerned about the risks associated with Internet use. Following taking part in a peer education project that focussed on Internet safety and specifically about risks of online radicalisation and extremism, the students understood possible links between grooming and online radicalisation and their teachers increased their understanding of the importance of digital engagement for their students.