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Violence, Technology, and Social Media: The ‘Perfect Storm’
So what can parents do?
The key is to engage in ongoing, meaningful conversations with your children about media literacy, critical thinking, and the impact of online behaviour.
Discussing the consequences of violence, extremism, and hate speech—both online and in the real world—will help them understand how these behaviours affect not only individuals but society as a whole.
By fostering awareness and responsibility, you can guide them through the digital world with greater understanding and empathy.
I wrote about ‘Talking and Teaching Your Kids About Click Farms’ which might be a starting point & also I wrote about ‘AI bots & the intentions behind some Tik Tok accounts’ that could kick start your conversations.
How TikTok bots and AI have powered a resurgence in UK far-right violence & how to deal with it as parents.
It’s an absolute minefield but the most important skill to teach children & young people is critical thinking.
Of course, changing the narrative around violence, technology, and the role of social media in fuelling far-right extremism in the UK is a complex and multi-faceted challenge that I can’t begin to address but watching the News again tonight I just have to try to do something as violence once again sweeps across the cities of the UK
Here are some simple suggested scripts tailored for different age groups—young children, pre-teens, and teenagers—to help parents discuss the complex issues of violence, technology, and social media, especially in the context of far-right riots like those in the UK at the moment.
Parent: “Hey do you remember when we talked about being kind to others?
Sometimes, people forget to be kind and hurt others with their words or actions. This is called violence, and it’s not a good thing’
Child: “Yes, hurting others is bad.”
Parent: “Exactly! Now, there are some people who feel very angry and use that anger to hurt others or to be part of something called a riot.
Riots are when people gather in large groups and cause trouble. It’s really important to always talk about our feelings instead of using our hands or words to hurt others.”
Child: “But why do they do that?”
Parent: “Sometimes people get influenced by what they see on TV, the internet, or something called social media. It’s like when you see a cartoon and want to act like your favourite character.
But on social media, not everything is nice or true. Some people might see or share things that make them more angry or scared, and that can lead to bad behaviour, like riots.”
Child: “So, what should we do?”
Parent: “We should always talk about our feelings, be kind, and if you see or hear something that makes you feel bad or confused, you can always talk to me or another grown-up. Remember, being kind and understanding is the best way to be.”
Parent: ‘Hey, can we talk about something important? You might have heard or seen some things online or on the news about riots and violence happening in cities in the UK.
These are really serious and scary situations where people are hurt because of anger or hate.”
Child: “Yeah, I saw something about that. Why are they so angry?”
Parent: “It’s a tough situation. Sometimes people are angry because they feel like they’re not being treated fairly, but instead of talking about their feelings or trying to solve the problem peacefully, they turn to violence.
This can be even worse when people use social media to spread messages that make others more upset or scared. When that happens, small groups of people can start to believe things that aren’t true, and they might do dangerous things.”
Child: “Why do people believe stuff on social media?”
Parent: “Social media can be tricky because anyone can post anything, even if it’s not true.
Some people take advantage of that and spread ideas that make people angry or afraid. This can create a ‘perfect storm’ where anger, technology, and bad information come together and cause things like riots.”
Child: “So what should I do when I see something like that?”
Parent: “First, it’s important to always question what you see online—don’t believe everything right away.
Talk to me or another adult you trust if something doesn’t seem right or makes you uncomfortable.
It’s also really important to think about how your own actions and words can either help make things better or worse. Always choose kindness and understanding, even when others don’t.”
Parent: “Hey, I wanted to talk to you about something that’s been in the news lately—there have been some far-right riots in the UK, and I think it’s important we discuss what’s going on.”
Teen: “Yeah, I’ve seen some stuff about that on social media. It’s pretty intense.”
Parent: “It definitely is. These riots are happening because people are really angry and upset, but they’re channelling those emotions in harmful and violent ways.
What makes it even more complicated is how social media and technology are playing a role in spreading the anger and misinformation that fuels these riots.”
Teen: “How does social media make it worse?”
Parent: “Social media is a powerful tool—it can connect people and spread information quickly, but it can also spread lies and encourage dangerous behaviour just as fast.
Sometimes, people get caught up in echo chambers where they only see information that confirms their existing beliefs, and this can make them more extreme in their views.
When anger, misinformation, and technology mix, it can create a ‘perfect storm’ that leads to violence, like what we’re seeing in the UK.”
Teen: “So what are we supposed to do? It feels like everything online is just so divided and toxic.”
Parent: “It’s definitely challenging. But one of the best things you can do is to be a critical thinker—always question the sources of information and try to understand the bigger picture before forming an opinion.
Also, remember that social media doesn’t always show the whole truth, and it’s easy to get pulled into negativity. It’s important to stay informed, but also to focus on promoting positive and constructive dialogue, whether online or in real life.
And if you ever feel overwhelmed or confused by what you see online, don’t hesitate to talk about it with me or someone else you trust.”
Teen: “Yeah, that makes sense. It’s just hard sometimes to not get caught up in it all.”
Parent: “It is hard, but remember, you have the power to choose how you react and what you contribute to the conversation.
Stay informed, stay critical, and always aim to spread kindness and understanding.”
These scripts provide a framework for discussing complex and potentially distressing topics with children and teenagers in an age-appropriate manner. Adjust the language and details based on your child’s maturity and understanding.
Here’s my article on ‘Talking to Kids About Echo Chambers’ where we tend to surround ourself with views & opinions that match our own.
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