S preferred to focus `on the positives and examine online opportunities’ (2009, p. 152), rather than investigating prospective dangers. By contrast, the empirical research on young people’s use in the internet inside the social perform field is sparse, and has focused on how finest to mitigate on the web dangers (Fursland, 2010, 2011; May-Chahal et al., 2012). This features a rationale because the dangers posed through new technology are far more most (S)-(-)-Blebbistatin site likely to become evident within the lives of young persons getting social work assistance. For example, evidence with regards to kid sexual exploitation in groups and gangs indicate this as an SART.S23503 challenge of important concern in which new technologies plays a part (Beckett et al., 2013; Berelowitz et al., 2013; CEOP, 2013). Victimisation often happens each on the internet and offline, as well as the process of exploitation may be initiated via on line get in touch with and grooming. The practical experience of sexual exploitation is actually a gendered one particular whereby the vast majority of victims are girls and young girls along with the perpetrators male. Young persons with expertise of your care technique are also notably over-represented in current data regarding child sexual exploitation (OCC, 2012; CEOP, 2013). Study also suggests that young folks that have seasoned prior abuse CGP-57148B site offline are much more susceptible to on-line grooming (May-Chahal et al., 2012) and there’s considerable experienced anxiousness about unmediated contact among looked after children and adopted youngsters and their birth households by way of new technology (Fursland, 2010, 2011; Sen, 2010).Not All that may be Solid Melts into Air?Responses call for careful consideration, on the other hand. The precise connection in between on line and offline vulnerability nonetheless requires to become better understood (Livingstone and Palmer, 2012) plus the evidence will not assistance an assumption that young individuals with care experience are, per a0022827 se, at higher risk online. Even exactly where there is greater concern about a young person’s safety, recognition is needed that their on the net activities will present a complicated mixture of risks and possibilities more than which they will exert their very own judgement and agency. Additional understanding of this situation will depend on greater insight into the online experiences of young people today receiving social work assistance. This paper contributes to the information base by reporting findings from a study exploring the perspectives of six care leavers and 4 looked soon after young children with regards to commonly discussed dangers connected with digital media and their very own use of such media. The paper focuses on participants’ experiences of applying digital media for social speak to.Theorising digital relationsConcerns concerning the effect of digital technology on young people’s social relationships resonate with pessimistic theories of individualisation in late modernity. It has been argued that the dissolution of standard civic, neighborhood and social bonds arising from globalisation results in human relationships that are more fragile and superficial (Beck, 1992; Bauman, 2000). For Bauman (2000), life under conditions of liquid modernity is characterised by feelings of `precariousness, instability and vulnerability’ (p. 160). Whilst he is not a theorist of the `digital age’ as such, Bauman’s observations are regularly illustrated with examples from, or clearly applicable to, it. In respect of internet dating web-sites, he comments that `unlike old-fashioned relationships virtual relations look to become made to the measure of a liquid contemporary life setting . . ., “virtual relationships” are simple to e.S preferred to focus `on the positives and examine online opportunities’ (2009, p. 152), as an alternative to investigating potential risks. By contrast, the empirical study on young people’s use from the online within the social work field is sparse, and has focused on how most effective to mitigate online dangers (Fursland, 2010, 2011; May-Chahal et al., 2012). This features a rationale because the dangers posed by way of new technologies are far more probably to become evident in the lives of young people today receiving social perform assistance. For instance, proof with regards to child sexual exploitation in groups and gangs indicate this as an SART.S23503 challenge of important concern in which new technology plays a role (Beckett et al., 2013; Berelowitz et al., 2013; CEOP, 2013). Victimisation generally occurs each on the web and offline, and the procedure of exploitation could be initiated through on the internet contact and grooming. The expertise of sexual exploitation is often a gendered 1 whereby the vast majority of victims are girls and young girls and the perpetrators male. Young people today with encounter of your care method are also notably over-represented in current data concerning child sexual exploitation (OCC, 2012; CEOP, 2013). Analysis also suggests that young people today who have skilled prior abuse offline are much more susceptible to on the web grooming (May-Chahal et al., 2012) and there is certainly considerable experienced anxiety about unmediated get in touch with between looked following youngsters and adopted youngsters and their birth households via new technology (Fursland, 2010, 2011; Sen, 2010).Not All that is Solid Melts into Air?Responses require cautious consideration, having said that. The exact partnership involving on line and offline vulnerability still needs to be improved understood (Livingstone and Palmer, 2012) as well as the proof doesn’t assistance an assumption that young individuals with care practical experience are, per a0022827 se, at greater risk on line. Even where there’s greater concern about a young person’s safety, recognition is necessary that their on line activities will present a complex mixture of dangers and possibilities over which they’re going to exert their own judgement and agency. Additional understanding of this issue depends upon greater insight into the on line experiences of young individuals receiving social perform assistance. This paper contributes towards the expertise base by reporting findings from a study exploring the perspectives of six care leavers and 4 looked just after children regarding frequently discussed dangers linked with digital media and their own use of such media. The paper focuses on participants’ experiences of applying digital media for social get in touch with.Theorising digital relationsConcerns in regards to the influence of digital technologies on young people’s social relationships resonate with pessimistic theories of individualisation in late modernity. It has been argued that the dissolution of regular civic, community and social bonds arising from globalisation results in human relationships which are a lot more fragile and superficial (Beck, 1992; Bauman, 2000). For Bauman (2000), life below circumstances of liquid modernity is characterised by feelings of `precariousness, instability and vulnerability’ (p. 160). Although he is not a theorist of the `digital age’ as such, Bauman’s observations are frequently illustrated with examples from, or clearly applicable to, it. In respect of online dating websites, he comments that `unlike old-fashioned relationships virtual relations look to be produced towards the measure of a liquid modern life setting . . ., “virtual relationships” are uncomplicated to e.