Online drug and gang culture
Also known as:
- gang membersh
What is Risk ?
Digital risk factors associated with their interests and activities
Someone who is in a gang may use online spaces for criminal activity, for example, selling drugs or weapons through social media.
On social media platforms, like Snapchat, it can be easy for a child or young person to be exposed to the sale of illegal goods.
Gang-related criminal activity can often be referenced online. For example, glorified references to violence and knife crime in music videos on social media and streaming sites. 'Drill’ is a sub-genre of rap that has become associated with glamorising gang culture.
County lines gangs can also use social media to recruit, track, and coerce children and young people into criminal activity, for example, transporting drugs.
Where this can happen
Risks and motivations
Risks
Grooming and exploitation
A child or young person might not pick up on signs they are being groomed by a gang online. This can mean they are more easily manipulated. It can be hard for a child or young person to stop working for a gang. They might be offered money and gifts or blackmailed by the gang to continue working.
Harms associated with grooming, exploitation and involvement with criminal gangs include:
- emotional and sexual abuse
- psychological coercive control and blackmail
- trafficking
- physical violence or threats of violence
Substance misuse
A child or young person may purchase drugs online. Using drugs can have an impact on both mental and physical health. A child or young person might feel tired, anxious or paranoid after taking drugs. Over time, substance misuse can lead to addiction.
Violence
A child or young person involved with a criminal gang could be more likely to experience violence. They may be the target of physical harm if they refuse to do something for the gang.
They could be more exposed to violent behaviours both on and offline. For example, witness stabbings between rival gangs. This can put a child or young person at risk and make them feel unsafe. Drill music videos may also escalate violence when they are posted online. Lyrics can mention previous stabbings or shootings which taunt rival gangs.
Experiencing violence can have long-lasting harm on a child or young person. These harms can be both physical and emotional.
Breaking the law
If a young person is involved with drugs and criminal gang activity, they could be arrested and charged. The Crown Prosecution Service may consider drill music and social media activity that incites violence or promotes crime as evidence.
If found guilty of an offence, a young person may experience legal consequences, like a fine, criminal record, or prison sentence.
Motivations
Reasons a child or young person might be attracted to gang culture or criminal activity include:
- status or respect
- peer pressure
- wanting protection or to feel safe
- blackmail or grooming
- emotional vulnerability
- poverty, neglect or abuse
- alcohol or substance misuse
- physical disabilities and mental health issues
- debt to a gang, sometimes known as ‘debt bondage’
- not being aware of the risks
What you can do
You may be working with a child or young person who is viewing or engaging with drug and gang culture, online or offline.
It can be helpful to speak to a child or young person to find out more about their behaviours and interests, and whether these pose a risk to their safety. For example, a young person may enjoy drill music videos just for the music or imagery, not because they are involved with a gang.
A child or young person may not feel safe telling you that they are being exploited by a gang. It’s important to be familiar with some of the signs that a child or young person is being exploited.
You may also be concerned that a child or young person has committed a crime online or offline. If you are unsure, always seek legal advice. If you have any immediate concerns for the safety of a child or young person you should contact the emergency services by calling 999. If you think that a young person is at risk, follow your safeguarding procedure and read our safeguarding guidance.
Support
It is important to recognise that a child or young person may be unable to immediately cut all ties with a gang. Exiting a gang, as well as any recovery process, might be done gradually and in stages.
Talking with a child or young person can be one way to help with recovering from negative or harmful experiences. It might also help to minimise future risks and harms.
You could discuss:
- what attracted them to gang culture
- the risks involved with crime and gang activity
- why it’s important to speak to a trusted adult if they are ever unsure or afraid
Read more about online drug and gang culture
- Anti-social media (Revealing Reality) – File
- Analysing gang-related music linked to serious violence (College of Policing) – Website
- County line drug supply, vulnerability and harm (National Crime Agency) – File
- Criminal exploitation of children, young people and vulnerable adults (The Home Office) – File
- Ending gang and youth violence (GOV.UK) – File
Share your experience of online drug and gang culture
You can tell us about:
- other terms you might have heard
- conversations you’ve had with young people
- a related platform or app
- another related risk or harm