Showcase Magazine Spring 2026 - Flipbook - Page 23
CYBER SECURITY
Stranger
Danger: Online
Edition
Explicit and Violent Content
Online stranger danger is not only about direct contact - it also
includes exposure to harmful content.
Algorithms push increasingly extreme material based on viewing
habits, and what begins as curiosity can gradually lead to graphic
violence, sexualised material or harmful narratives. Sometimes
explicit content is also sent directly through private messages.
Early exposure can distort perceptions of relationships, consent
and normal behaviour. Open conversations about what
individuals may encounter reduces shame and increases the
likelihood of reporting concerning content, and helps ensure
content is age-appropriate.
Financial Exploitation
Financial exploitation is no longer something that only affects older
adults. Young people are increasingly targeted online with offers of
fast money, influencer deals, cryptocurrency investments or flexible
remote work. The language is persuasive, exciting and deliberately
informal. For teenagers navigating independence, comparison
culture and financial pressure, these opportunities can appear
credible and even aspirational. What often sits behind these offers,
however, is organised criminality.
One growing concern is the recruitment of young people as
