Child protection and welfare risks and opportunities related to disability and internet use: Broadening current conceptualisations through critical literature review

Abstract

Findings are presented from a critical literature review on child protection and welfare risks and the opportunities of internet use related to disability. There is evidence of unique complexities and substantially increased risks and barriers to effective safeguarding practice, at the intersection of disability, internet use and child protection. This is further complicated by the surge in internet usage leading the vast majority of children in contemporary western societies to be deeply ensconced in virtual worlds. We present findings of a critical literature review with qualitative thematic analysis applied to a sample of 33 key documents. The premise of this paper is to broaden conceptual understanding of the opportunities and risks of internet use by children and adults with disabilities in the context of child protection and welfare practice. This paper is relevant to parents, guardians, safe guarding practitioners and academics. This paper highlights key learning for future safeguarding practice, further research and scholarly work, towards keeping children safe, in the context of a rapidly expanding digital world, and its complex social implications.