S preferred to concentrate `on the positives and examine online opportunities’ (2009, p. 152), rather than investigating prospective risks. By contrast, the empirical analysis on young people’s use on the web inside the purchase EPZ-5676 social operate field is sparse, and has focused on how greatest to mitigate on line risks (Fursland, 2010, 2011; May-Chahal et al., 2012). This has a rationale as the dangers posed by means of new technology are far more most likely to be evident in the lives of young men and women receiving social function support. As an example, proof concerning youngster sexual exploitation in groups and gangs indicate this as an SART.S23503 issue of important concern in which new technology plays a role (Beckett et al., 2013; Berelowitz et al., 2013; CEOP, 2013). Victimisation usually occurs both on the internet and offline, and also the approach of exploitation is usually initiated through on the internet get in touch with and grooming. The expertise of sexual exploitation is a gendered one particular whereby the vast majority of victims are girls and young females as well as the perpetrators male. Young individuals with encounter on the care technique are also notably over-represented in present data regarding child sexual exploitation (OCC, 2012; CEOP, 2013). Research also suggests that young individuals that have experienced prior abuse offline are much more susceptible to on the web grooming (May-Chahal et al., 2012) and there is considerable professional anxiety about unmediated contact between looked after kids and adopted children and their birth households through new technology (Fursland, 2010, 2011; Sen, 2010).Not All that is Solid Melts into Air?Responses require careful consideration, nonetheless. The precise relationship between on line and offline vulnerability nevertheless wants to become improved understood (Livingstone and Palmer, 2012) as well as the proof doesn’t help an assumption that young individuals with care expertise are, per a0022827 se, at greater risk online. Even where there’s Quinoline-Val-Asp-Difluorophenoxymethylketone side effects higher concern about a young person’s safety, recognition is necessary that their on the net activities will present a complicated mixture of dangers and opportunities over which they’re going to exert their very own judgement and agency. Additional understanding of this problem will depend on higher insight in to the on the internet experiences of young men and women getting social work help. This paper contributes towards the information base by reporting findings from a study exploring the perspectives of six care leavers and four looked right after youngsters regarding commonly discussed risks linked with digital media and their own use of such media. The paper focuses on participants’ experiences of using digital media for social get in touch with.Theorising digital relationsConcerns concerning the influence of digital technology on young people’s social relationships resonate with pessimistic theories of individualisation in late modernity. It has been argued that the dissolution of regular civic, community and social bonds arising from globalisation results in human relationships that are far more fragile and superficial (Beck, 1992; Bauman, 2000). For Bauman (2000), life below situations of liquid modernity is characterised by feelings of `precariousness, instability and vulnerability’ (p. 160). Even though he is not a theorist on the `digital age’ as such, Bauman’s observations are regularly illustrated with examples from, or clearly applicable to, it. In respect of net dating internet sites, he comments that `unlike old-fashioned relationships virtual relations seem to be produced for the measure of a liquid modern life setting . . ., “virtual relationships” are straightforward to e.S preferred to concentrate `on the positives and examine on the net opportunities’ (2009, p. 152), as an alternative to investigating potential risks. By contrast, the empirical study on young people’s use of your net inside the social work field is sparse, and has focused on how ideal to mitigate on the net dangers (Fursland, 2010, 2011; May-Chahal et al., 2012). This has a rationale because the dangers posed by means of new technologies are much more probably to be evident in the lives of young persons receiving social operate assistance. As an example, evidence relating to youngster sexual exploitation in groups and gangs indicate this as an SART.S23503 situation of significant concern in which new technologies plays a function (Beckett et al., 2013; Berelowitz et al., 2013; CEOP, 2013). Victimisation generally occurs both online and offline, and also the approach of exploitation is usually initiated via online get in touch with and grooming. The knowledge of sexual exploitation can be a gendered one whereby the vast majority of victims are girls and young women plus the perpetrators male. Young individuals with encounter on the care method are also notably over-represented in existing data regarding child sexual exploitation (OCC, 2012; CEOP, 2013). Research also suggests that young men and women that have seasoned prior abuse offline are a lot more susceptible to on the net grooming (May-Chahal et al., 2012) and there is certainly considerable experienced anxiety about unmediated contact involving looked right after youngsters and adopted youngsters and their birth families by means of new technologies (Fursland, 2010, 2011; Sen, 2010).Not All which is Strong Melts into Air?Responses require careful consideration, nevertheless. The precise relationship amongst on the web and offline vulnerability still requirements to become better understood (Livingstone and Palmer, 2012) as well as the evidence doesn’t help an assumption that young folks with care practical experience are, per a0022827 se, at greater threat on the internet. Even where there’s greater concern about a young person’s safety, recognition is required that their on the internet activities will present a complicated mixture of dangers and opportunities over which they are going to exert their very own judgement and agency. Further understanding of this challenge is determined by higher insight into the on-line experiences of young men and women getting social perform support. This paper contributes to the knowledge base by reporting findings from a study exploring the perspectives of six care leavers and four looked following young children regarding generally discussed dangers associated with digital media and their own use of such media. The paper focuses on participants’ experiences of utilizing digital media for social contact.Theorising digital relationsConcerns about the impact of digital technology on young people’s social relationships resonate with pessimistic theories of individualisation in late modernity. It has been argued that the dissolution of traditional civic, neighborhood and social bonds arising from globalisation results in human relationships which are more fragile and superficial (Beck, 1992; Bauman, 2000). For Bauman (2000), life below conditions of liquid modernity is characterised by feelings of `precariousness, instability and vulnerability’ (p. 160). While he is not a theorist on the `digital age’ as such, Bauman’s observations are frequently illustrated with examples from, or clearly applicable to, it. In respect of web dating web pages, he comments that `unlike old-fashioned relationships virtual relations look to be produced for the measure of a liquid contemporary life setting . . ., “virtual relationships” are uncomplicated to e.