Children’s Online Behaviour and Safety

This incisive examination of youth digital culture dissects the UK's online safety policies through a critical lens, contrasting top-down government regulations with the actual, on-the-ground social media practices of young people. Using the UK as a compelling case study, the book moves beyond simple panic to analyze the fundamental disconnect between policy designed to prohibit "bad" behaviours and the complex realities of adolescent online life. It grounds its critique in a robust analysis of media narratives and political positions, juxtaposing them with ethnographic research into how youth truly navigate their digital worlds. This approach provides a necessary, evidence-based challenge to the often-simplistic rhetoric surrounding child internet safety.

What makes this work particularly vital is its commitment to prioritizing the voices and experiences of young people themselves, rather than filtering their digital citizenship through adult anxieties. It is an essential read for educators, policymakers, and parents seeking a more nuanced understanding of adolescent technology use beyond fear-based headlines. By framing the conversation around real-world digital behaviours instead of hypothetical risks, the book offers a more effective and humane foundation for creating meaningful online safety guidance. Its findings ultimately advocate for an approach rooted in digital literacy and empowerment, making a powerful case for moving past prohibition toward education.