Cyber Expert: Society, Not Parents, to Blame for Unsafe Online World
According to a leading expert in psychology and online harms, society is the real culprit in creating unsafe online experiences for children, rather than parents or digital platforms. Dr Catherine Knibbs, a cyber-psychologist, has criticised the government's approach, warning that a 'Chicken Little' reaction to online safety threats risks alienating families and fostering a blame culture.
Education Over Bans: A Call for Digital Literacy
Dr Knibbs, who shifted her career to cyberpsychology after her own children were exposed to harmful online content in 2010, advocates for increased education and digital literacy in schools. She argues that proposals like a social media ban for under-16s and overnight curfews are inadequate substitutes. Instead, she calls for a long-term strategy to improve online behaviour across society, stating that bans will likely be circumvented by children, pushing them into illegal and harmful spaces where they feel unable to seek help.
She emphasised, "What we need to be thinking about is how do we get this education out to parents in a way that doesn't frighten them and doesn't make them feel like they're to blame." Dr Knibbs highlighted that current narratives often blame parents, leading to fear and a fight-or-flight response that hinders effective safeguarding.
Critique of Government Plans and Big Tech Blame
Dr Knibbs pointed out that blaming big tech platforms is an easy but misguided option, as harm stems from human behaviour, not the tools themselves. She urged a strategic plan to mimic real-world safeguarding online, ensuring children are cared for in digital environments. Citing Australia's social media ban for under-16s, she noted that 70% of children in that age group remain on social media, demonstrating how such measures fail and are gamed by young people.
She added, "We have to think about ethics, philosophy, sociology, and psychology. We cannot go into this thinking 'we're just going to ban' or 'we're going to delay', because it isn't going to work."
Support and Resources for Schools and Parents
Dr Knibbs criticised the current lack of resources and training in schools, which she says fails teachers, children, and parents. She believes improving these areas would positively impact wider society, as all parents want to protect their children but lack facilitation. In related efforts, an educational film featuring YouTube influencer Angry Ginge has been released by child safety charity Internet Matters and Tesco Mobile to raise awareness of fake AI-generated content for primary school children.
This initiative is part of a digital literacy campaign, including a £200,000 grant from Tesco Mobile for schools to fund technology and training. The government consultation on online safety, titled 'Growing up in an online world', is open until May 26, with support available from organisations like the NSPCC and InternetMatters.org.
