I want to discuss a weapon of mass destruction capable of bringing millions, if not billions of people to the streets. It is only logical to think that a weapon capable of igniting global movements must be protected by heavy security. This weapon, however, lies in plain sight. Something so simple and easy to access, that you are only a click away from sparking a global movement. This weapon is none other than social media.

 

People now have many opportunities to explore thanks to the widespread acceptance of social media. The weapon of social media has on the one hand served as a vehicle for change, a catalyst for delivering justice. However, It can also harm and kill. The use of social media heavily is linked to an increased risk of anxiety, depression, loneliness, self-harm, and even suicidal thoughts. A weapon like this can be used to manipulate and victimize vulnerable members of society. One such example has to do with the practice of trafficking drugs from urban areas into rural areas.

 

County lines is an extremely serious problem in modern society. Vulnerable people and children as young as six years old are groomed to sell dangerous drugs from one city to another. They are exposed to forms of extreme violence with the use of weapons or firearms. In addition, there have been incidents of serious violence, threats of violence, and homicides.

A teenager who was part of a drug trafficking organisation has unveiled the truth behind being ‘recruited via Snapchat' in a BBC interview. At the age of 14 and wanting to escape their home, this person came across a social media post offering cash-in-hand work and accommodation.

 

Within 80 minutes of replying to the post, he was collected by the gang and sent elsewhere to sell the drugs. A person who wishes to remain anonymous has said he was forced to conceal drugs in his body. I quote "Basically if you get pulled over by the police, cos [sic] they can't strip-search me or anything, obviously where I'm underage, obviously that's why they got me to hide it." End quote

 

In this case, he was discovered and rescued by his mother only a week later with the help of Lennox Rodgers from Refocus and an ex-gang member. I quote “When I knew what he was doing, I thought I'm going to get that call that he's dead because the number of nights I searched the streets looking for him, and couldn't find him" End quote

 

Teenagers are singled out as potential victims because they are experiencing a rollercoaster of emotions in their lives. They have no idea who they are or where they belong. Victims of these gangs are given a sense of belonging and acceptability. Victims are duped into believing that what they're doing is right, and they may become involved in unlawful acts as a result.

 

To prevent the massive increase in county lines, teachers/parents should educate teenagers about the dangers of this behaviour. If they find out about drug trading over county boundaries, they should report it to the police right away, whether anonymously or not. Children should be alert of any sceptical behaviour and reach out for help if they are being victimized.

Concerns about such matters should also be discussed by parents. They should have open and honest discussions about the issues they are having at school. If parents are unaware of what is going on in their children's lives, the children are more likely to become a victim of county lines. These precautions can help to limit the likelihood of social media abuse.