Much of life for young people now happens online. Alongside the positives, this can mean real risks and the possibility of causing harm and getting into serious trouble – from sharing indecent images of themselves or others, to being drawn into grooming, or encountering AI-generated sexual content or other indecent images of children.
Every day, we help young people understand the impact of their actions, make safer choices, and build a future they can feel hopeful about. And crucially, we do it without judgment. Alongside our Shore website, our Inform Young People programme is a safe space for young people to discuss and understand harmful sexual behaviour, and to make change in their lives.
Meeting young people at a crossroads
Inform Young People is a psychoeducational intervention, designed to help young people who have been in trouble online. Most young people undertaking the programme are in trouble with the police, their school or college for their inappropriate sexual online behaviour.
Most are navigating the confusing blur of adolescence, digital culture, and peer pressure. We meet them at this crossroads with guidance, empathy, and the belief that change is possible.
Our practitioners who deliver the programme, such as former probation officer Casey*, have professional roots spanning criminal justice, social work, child protection charities, and youth work.
"Working with children and young people is so rewarding. Young people have so much potential – it’s about helping them realise it. With the right support and a good relationship, you can make a huge difference."
Bespoke sessions to suit each young person
We provide individualised, one-to-one sessions for young people. It’s educational, voluntary, supportive, and shaped around a young person’s needs.
Sessions often include:
- Helping them to understand the law and the consequences of online actions
- Exploring their personal strengths
- Planning together to help them map out a safer future
- Joint sessions with their parents or carers when helpful – focusing on navigating the criminal justice system, or how to support their child at home
But what matters most is the relationship. Our practitioners become a consistent and trusted person in the young person’s life, at a time when they really need it. The connection between a young person and a practitioner can matter more than any single session topic.
“I can remember every young person I’ve worked with. You want them to leave feeling more positive about themselves. Their behaviour doesn’t define them—and they need to know that.”
“Make the call to get help” – a parent’s perspective
Supporting a young person who has crossed online sexual boundaries can be overwhelming and isolating. We provide clear guidance, emotional support, and practical steps so parents don’t have to face it alone.
One father shared his experience after discovering his autistic teenage son had been involved in viewing and sharing sexual images online:
How can we support you?
If you’re a young person:
- If you’re worried about your own sexual behaviour, our Shore website is a safe space where you can get help, and chat anonymously with one of our advisors.
If you’re a parent or carer:
- Call our Stop It Now helpline to speak to our advisors – it’s free, anonymous, and confidential.
Find out more about our Inform Young People programme and get advice on how to keep your child safe.
*names altered for anonymity
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