This week Rachel de Souza, the Children’s Commissioner, has said she fears young people are becoming “intoxicated with extremism” via social media. Under-18s, she argues in a report on children being referred to Prevent, are increasingly fascinated by violence, gore and cruelty in a non-ideological context, thereby failing the threshold for potentially life-saving interventions. Much of de Souza’s previous work centers on the Southport disturbances, prompted by the murders committed by Axel Rudakubana two years ago. Now she’s added her voice to those demanding both changes to Prevent and stronger internet regulation.
‘Extremist’ children aren’t Prevent’s biggest problem
