Most teenagers are exposed to sex attacks and violence online

Concerns of children becoming desensitised by watching real fights and assaults via social media

MORE than half of young people have watched fighting and sexual assault on social media during the past year, research suggests.

A poll of more than 2,000 teenagers aged 13 to 17 found that 55 per cent had seen violent content online. The most common was fights and threats to beat someone up. A quarter of young people surveyed had seen another child carrying a weapon online, while 13 per cent had watched a sexual assault.

The survey by the Youth Endowment Fund (YEF), a charity backed by the Home Office, also revealed that 14 per cent of teenagers had skipped school because they were afraid of violence.

Some 65 per cent said they had altered their behaviour, appearance or where they went to keep safe.

Jon Yates, YEF executive director, said: “Far too many of our children are being exposed to real-life, violent content on social media. This matters.

“Children tell us that their fear of violence leads them to skip school, lose sleep and miss out on the fun moments that make up childhood.”

While overall, 55 per cent had seen violent content, the proportion rose to 60 per cent in the North West, North East and London, compared with 44 per cent in the South West.

Fatoumata Bayo Diba, 19, a member of the charity’s youth advisory board, said: “Unfortunately, I was not surprised, especially when it comes to children being exposed to violence through social media. I’ve got younger siblings.

“It worries me how accessible this type of content can be. Seeing violence everywhere you go has become the norm. People and especially children are desensitised to the horror.”

The YEF said social media companies needed to “do much more”. The study also found that 19 per cent of young people surveyed admitted to carrying out an act of violence, including more than 80 who wielded a weapon.

A separate poll by the Centre for Social Justice found more than half of parents fret over their children returning safely from school, with around half saying they and their offspring have been victims of anti-social behaviour.

Knife crime is up a third since 2014. Youth Justice Board figures showed that last year there were 50 homicides where the victim was a teenager. In 70 per cent of these, the fatal weapon was a knife or sharp instrument.

The Centre for Social Justice has launched an inquiry into how sport and physical activity can transform the lives of youngsters. The think tank argues that fewer opportunities for sport and physical activity is a “missed opportunity” to stop young people growing up to lead lives of crime.

The inquiry, backed by England rugby captain Courtney Lawes, will be chaired by Lord Nash, a former schools minister.

Andy Cook, chief executive of the Centre for Social Justice, said: “Sport is a secret weapon that can not only change youngsters’ lives for the better, but make our streets safer. I hope ministers follow this inquiry closely and unleash the power of sport and physical activity to improve the opportunities for a generation of young people.”