Why Human Rights, UNCRC, Equality, and Prevent Are Crucial in Safeguarding Children

In today's rapidly evolving digital world, children are exposed to unprecedented levels of information, conflict, and extremist ideologies through social media platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. These platforms often serve as gateways to harmful content, ranging from misinformation and conspiracy theories to extremist narratives promoting hate and division. As safeguarding professionals and educators, it is our duty to address these challenges comprehensively, incorporating principles of human rights, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), equality, and the Prevent duty.

The Origins of the Prevent Duty and Safeguarding

The Prevent Duty was introduced under the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 in the UK, requiring schools, childcare providers, and other public institutions to prevent individuals from being drawn into terrorism. This duty is part of the broader 'four P' strategy (Pursue, Prevent, Protect, Prepare) aimed at tackling terrorism. Prevent specifically focuses on early intervention, education, and support, ensuring that vulnerable individuals do not fall prey to extremist ideologies.

Safeguarding, rooted in key children’s legislation such as the Children Act 1989 and 2004, is designed to protect children from harm and promote their welfare. It provides a legal framework for professionals to intervene when a child's safety is at risk, aligning closely with the UNCRC's provisions to uphold children's rights.

Our Responsibility Under the UNCRC

As duty bearers under the UNCRC, educators and safeguarding professionals must uphold children's rights, including:

• Article 19: Protection from violence, abuse, and neglect.
• Article 29: Right to an education that promotes respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.
• Article 13: Freedom of expression, while ensuring children are guided to differentiate between opinion and fact.

Our responsibility is to support children in navigating an increasingly violent and unstable world, providing them with the tools to critically assess information and resist harmful influences.

Different Forms of Extremism and Radicalization

Extremism can take many forms, including violent and non-violent extremism. Violent extremism involves acts of physical harm or destruction to achieve ideological goals, while non-violent extremism promotes divisive narratives and harmful ideologies that can create a pathway to violence. Forms of extremism include:

• Far-right and nationalist extremism: Promoting racial supremacy and xenophobia.
• Islamist extremism: Advocating violent interpretations of Islamic teachings to justify attacks.
• Left-wing extremism: Using radical ideologies to challenge political systems.
• Single-issue extremism: Focusing on specific topics such as environmental or animal rights.

A concerning trend is 'Jihad Maxxing,' where individuals, particularly young people, transition between different forms of extremist ideologies as they undergo radicalization, making it difficult to predict their behaviour and intervention needs.

The Rise of New Threats: Incel Movement, Toxic Misogyny, and Extremist Ideologies

A significant challenge facing young people today is the rise of toxic misogyny and extremist ideologies such as the incel movement (involuntary celibates), which promotes harmful narratives about gender and relationships. These movements exploit feelings of isolation and rejection, offering vulnerable individuals a distorted sense of belonging and purpose.

Several high-profile attacks, such as those committed by Elliot Rodger, highlight the real-world consequences of such ideologies, where incel-driven violence has resulted in tragic loss of life, mainly targeting women and girls. Additionally, influencers like Andrew Tate continue to spread misogynistic rhetoric that reinforces harmful stereotypes and fuels gender-based hate.

Furthermore, conspiracy theories such as the concept of 'gynocracies'—a belief that women secretly control society—and the demonization of so-called 'social justice warriors' contribute to radicalizing young men by framing gender equality as a threat to their identity and place in the world.

Additionally, the spread of far-right ideologies, ethno-supremacy, and accelerationism is becoming increasingly prevalent online. These ideologies seek to exploit societal grievances, using dehumanization tactics against ethnic minorities, LGBTQ+ individuals, and women to create division and radicalization opportunities. The promotion of The Great Replacement Theory, which falsely claims that non-white groups are deliberately replacing white populations, has fuelled racism and xenophobia, contributing to an increase in hate crimes and radicalization.

Unmoderated online platforms such as Discord, Parler, Gab, 4chan, 8chan, and Telegram, along with lesser-known forums, provide safe havens for extremist ideologies to thrive unchecked. These platforms often allow the spread of hate speech, conspiracy theories, and violent rhetoric, making it easier for young people to be drawn into extremist circles.

The Impact of Fake News, Conspiracy Theories, and Disinformation

Fake news and conspiracy theories have become potent tools in shaping perceptions and influencing behaviours, often leading to radicalization. Children and young people are particularly susceptible to disinformation campaigns that:

• Undermine trust in institutions and authorities.
• Promote divisive and extremist narratives.
• Exploit existing insecurities and fears to encourage radical actions.

Examples include conspiracy theories surrounding COVID-19, global political conflicts, and "The Great Replacement" theory, which falsely claims the deliberate displacement of certain ethnic groups.

Conclusion: A Collective Responsibility

As safeguarding professionals, we have a collective duty to address the intersection of human rights, the UNCRC, equality, and the Prevent duty in our work with children. By doing so, we equip young people with the knowledge, skills, and resilience they need to navigate a complex world safely and responsibly.

Incorporating these elements into Prevent training helps safeguarding professionals and educators proactively tackle radicalization, online harm, and discrimination, ensuring children can grow up in an environment that promotes respect, inclusion, and critical awareness.

By Sabera Ahsan - Prevent, Equality and Safeguarding Trainer

(These are my own opinions)

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