Guidance for Professionals
The Shameless Youths campaign was developed to ensure that professionals, partners, and trusted adults working with young people have the tools and confidence to initiate supportive, judgement-free conversations about online relationships, consent, and safety.
The campaign promotes the understanding that young people should feel safe to discuss any issue without fear of shame or having their technology removed.
Key Professional Goals:
- To promote positive digital conversations that are regular, informed, and respectful.
- To support young people in understanding what consenting and positive experiences online look like.
- To establish clear local referral pathways for young people who disclose harm or abuse.
Using the Campaign Materials
You can use the advice and guidance on this website to integrate the campaign's core messages into your work, whether in educational, social work, or youth work settings.
The core content is divided into pages tailored to specific audiences:
- Advice for Young People: Use this content as a talking point to discuss consent and safety directly with them.
- Advice for Parents and Trusted Adults: Share this content with parents and carers to help them start conversations at home.
Responding to Disclosures
If a young person discloses that they have been harmed, pressured, or experienced online abuse, you must follow your organisation's standard child protection and safeguarding procedures immediately. Never promise confidentiality if a disclosure indicates a risk of harm.
You should also access the dedicated support services to ensure the best outcome for the young person: