Shifting Mindsets; A Critical Commentary on Child Protection and Welfare, Disability, and Online Risk Through Critical Literature Review

ABSTRACT

Critical commentary is presented at the complex intersection of child protection and welfare, disability, and internet use. A profound lack of research exists on this topic. Findings from a critical literature review focus on the theme of online risk which included the topic of child abuse/online solicitation, cyber victimization/cyberbullying, problematic internet use, and breach of data protection. The approach taken to review literature was adopted from Aromataris and Pearson (2014). Disabled young people are exposed to and impacted by harmful online content. Key points, and online resources are highlighted for parents and guardians of disabled children, social care practitioners, safeguarding professionals, and educators. This paper attempts to advance scholarly discourse, policy, and practice, the authors arguing that it is time to shift our mindsets about safeguarding disabled young people online from thoughtful attention to purposeful action.

KEYWORDS:

• Child protection and welfare
• online risk
• internet use
• disability

Acknowledgments

The constructive contribution of peer reviewers is very much appreciated.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This research is funded by the Provost Award, Trinity College Dublin.

Notes on contributors

Rose Doolan Maher

Rose Doolan Maher is a PhD student in the School of Social Work and Social Policy at Trinity College Dublin in receipt of a Provost Award. Rose has worked as a social care practitioner since 1994 with service user groups from a variety of different social care environments both nationally and internationally. Rose teaches part-time with Trinity Centre for People with Disabilities and also works as an external supervisor for managers of residential care services within the childcare, disability, and education sector.

Susan Flynn

Susan Flynn is a University Lecturer at Trinity College Dublin. Her research interests surround areas of disability and child protection, disability theory and practice issues, and social work. Her work features in a diversity of high-quality publications.

Julie Byrne

Julie Byrne is a lecturer at Trinity College Dublin, the University of Ireland where she is also the Director for Undergraduate Teaching and Learning in the School of Social Work and Social Policy. Julie’s research interests include the impact of technology on human services. Her publications have investigated the profession-specific and transversal skill needs created by technology use.