Believers should be concerned because the internet "harbours dangers that disproportionately target girls and young women," says a Christian women's organisation.
Girls' Brigade England and Wales - an organisation that helps women and girls explore the Christian faith - says online platforms "expose girls to relentless pressures, toxic role models, and gender-based abuse that corrodes self-worth and mental health." These are not Kingdom values, says the organisation, and so this issue should concern Christians "deeply."
According to Girls' Brigade England and Wales, three-quarters of girls and young women aged seven to 21 report experiencing online harm; 81 per cent of victims in over 7,000 offences of sexual communication with a child were girls.
Judith Davey-Cole, CEO of Girls' Brigade England and Wales, shared with en: "Influencers with millions of followers openly devalue women and girls, and research shows that teenagers exposed to this content are five times more likely to believe that hurting others is acceptable."
"This is not just a cultural issue - it is a moral crisis and as Christians must concern us deeply - these are not Kingdom values," Davey-Cole said.
However, Girls' Brigade England and Wales also emphasised the positives of the internet and online platforms: opportunities for connection, learning and creativity; lifelines for young carers who can't leave the house; help for those in rural areas where youth groups are out of reach; and the ability to extend friendship, fellowship, and faith to those who might otherwise be isolated.
Nevertheless, Davey-Cole described the above statistics, regarding the negatives of the internet, as "chilling." According to Ofcom, 96 per cent of children aged three to 17 were online in 2024. This figure "confirmed what most parents and youth leaders already knew: the digital world is no longer optional," Davey-Cole said.
"We must name the problem clearly," she continued. "Misogyny has moved from the margins into the mainstream."
What can be done?
"The simplistic advice to 'just log off' doesn't cut the mustard," Davey-Cole said. "For some young people, online engagement is not a luxury, but a lifeline." She offered some ways to tackle these issues:
- Education and awareness. "As Girls’ Brigade, we run programmes such as ‘Staying Safe in the Digital World’ where we explore questions such as: What is truth? How do you know whether the images and posts you see are real or whether they’ve been enhanced? We then contrast this with Biblical truth," Davey-Cole said. "And, of course, we teach them how to question: How do I know whether this is real? How can I check? Teaching children and young people to go beyond face value, think carefully, and question more deeply is a critical life skill for 2025 and beyond."
- Relevant legislation must be enforced and effective, says Girls' Brigade England and Wales. The UK's Online Safety Act identifies harmful content - from pornography to self-harm instructions - as "Primary Priority," but, according to Davey-Cole, enforcement remains a challenge. "Age verification is notoriously difficult," she said. "Tech firms must be held accountable for the content they host."
- The role of faith communities. Davey-Cole emphasised the need for churches and Christian youth organisations to educate, advocate and provide safe spaces for young people. "It’s a missional priority for us as Christian communities to have open discussions about both the benefits and downsides of being online," she said. "It is hugely important to talk to children and young people about the dangers of engaging with others online - they might think they are talking to another 12-year-old, but the reality might be very different. It is also vital for them to understand who they can contact if they’re worried about anything or experiencing anything they’re uncomfortable about."
- Trusted adults - whether parents, teachers, or youth leaders. "Sometimes children prefer not to confide in parents or teachers, because they’re worried about the potential consequences," Davey-Cole said. She added that this emphasises the importance of trained, safely-recruited volunteers in Christian youth organisations like Girls’ Brigade and the "crucial" role they play. "Not every child has a supportive family, but every child deserves someone who will listen, guide, and protect," she said.
- Limiting screen time and locking down devices - to reduce the possibility of strangers contacting children; alongside education and awareness, recognising that perpetrators can find ways to target vulnerable individuals, restriction aside.
- Being good role models - taking regular breaks from personal devices and spending time doing "healthy" and "spiritually nourishing" things instead.
"The digital age is here to stay," Davey-Cole concluded. "The question is whether we will allow it to erode the dignity of girls and young women, or whether we will rise to the challenge of shaping it with compassion, wisdom, and faith."
