X (formerly Twitter)
Digital environment
What is Digital environment ?
Apps and environments young people use
Type of digital environment:
- Algorithmic recommendations
Age restriction: 13
X is a social media site where users can write short messages, share media and send direct messages.
Risks and motivations
Risks
Young people who use X may be exposed to digital risk factors like
Young people using X may also experience extremism.
Motivations
Young people might use X (formerly Twitter) to:
- build relationships and networks
- share expertise or interests
- have fun
- learn something new
Young people’s voice
How young people engage with the environment
Bob (16) has struggled with forming strong friendships at school in the past few years. Despite recently finding more of a place in a local theatre group, he saw the time he spent online – and particularly on Twitter musical ‘fandoms’ – as where he was most able to be himself. Bob is a member of a selection of musical theatre fan groups on Twitter and follows specific ‘trending’ hashtags to keep up to date and feel connected to the subculture.
Pathways: How digital design puts children at risk, 5 Rights Foundation, 2021
Boy: Don’t go to the bad side of Twitter.
Interviewer: There’s a bad side of Twitter?
Boy: Yeah, you don’t want to go there.
Non-Binary: The bad side of Twitter is full of racism, homophobia, offensive stuff and oh aye the adult content.
Boy: It is extreme adult content.
Interviewer: Do you guys all know about the bad side of Twitter?
All: Yeah!
Growing Up Online Children’s online activities, harm and safety in Northern Ireland - an Evidence Report, Stranmillis university college, 2023
What you can do
How to report content in this environment
How to close an account in this environment
Share your experience of X (formerly Twitter)
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