Children First said it has seen a ‘surge’ in young people coming to it in distress and at risk of ‘serious harm’.
Children First declared a "national childhood emergency" in Scotland due to growing concerns about online harm. A survey revealed that most young people are worried about harmful online content and anxious about social media's impact, with less than a quarter believing their childhood is better than their parents'. The charity has seen a surge in distressed young people and urges technology platforms to take responsibility for online safety. The Scottish and UK governments cite actions taken and planned under the Online Safety Act to address these concerns.
