‘Worrying minority’ of children experience violence, and over 80% see online chats about hurting specific groups

5th February 2026Sarah Gibbons, Contributing Editor, Policing Insight

A report on the scale of violence experienced by young people aged 13-17 in England and Wales – one of four reports drawn from a survey undertaken by the Youth Endowment Fund – found that half of them had witnessed violence, nearly one in five had been a victim, and one in eight admitted carrying out violence themselves, while more than 80% of those aged 13-17 have viewed conversations online about hurting specific groups, as Policing Insight’s Sarah Gibbons reports.

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‘Worrying minority’ of children experience violence, and over 80% see online chats about hurting specific groups

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