Redthread

Delivered by leading charities tackling youth violence, Catch22 and Redthread, The Social Switch Project is switching the narrative on how social media’s relationship to youth violence is understood, tackled and solved. How the project was formed The Social Switch Project launched when Google.org was seeking a way to tackle the growing issue of antisocial and violent online behaviour, which often leads to violence offline. Where antisocial behaviour was once mostly limited to a physical audience, harmful content is now rapidly shared online, resulting in retaliation and feeding gang violence. This programme contributes to the public health approach to tackling youth violence. Utilising funding from the corporate sector, Catch22 and Redthread are able to offer these learning opportunities for London’s young people and professionals. Who is involved? Initially funded by Google.org, two of London’s leading charities Catch22 and Redthread, launched the pilot project in 2019. Catch22’s extensive research in the area and frontline experience of reducing violence, is combined with Redthread’s expertise in delivering youth violence interventions. Google.org encouraged both partners to use their knowledge to create an exemplary pilot project.  The Mayor of London’s Violence Reduction Unit is now supporting the next phase of the project to build our impact and shape its future development. The Social Switch Project has a large advisory board, with representatives from across the sector, police, and academics. We’re already working with key players, including Google, Facebook, TikTok, City Hall, the Metropolitan Police, and The Children’s Society.