Lecturer’s article published by Children in Wales

A Coleg Sir Gâr lecturer has had a second article published in a magazine by Children in Wales. 

The magazine has featured lecturer Nicky Abraham’s article in the winter edition of Children in Wales in an edition that focuses on mental health.

Her article, entitled ‘Social media: It takes a whole community to raise a digital citizen’, looks at social media in the lives of children and young people and explores the impact of social media on young people’s mental health. 

It looks at misinformation, cyberbullying and passive consumption, as well as the positives of social media such as the research conducted by Carers Trust (2024) which says that social media can provide a safe space for young carers to share experiences and alleviate social isolation. 

Nicky Abraham teaches students on the college’s foundation degree in Children, Young People and Society and this isn’t the first article she’s had published.

Her action research, encouraged by the college as part of its ‘Culture of Curiosity’ programme, was based on Curriculum for Wales which helped influence her first article, published in Children in Wales’ 30th anniversary edition. 

Nicky recently delivered a guest speaker session at Dyfed Powys Police Headquarters, to police officers who work on the Schools’ Police Programme. The session explored factors that lead children and young people to engage in criminal behaviour. Nicky has been liaising with the Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llewlyn and and School Police Programme Manager Bethan James to assist in her research.  

Children in Wales work closely with the Welsh Government and others, to ensure that children’s rights are at the forefront of policy and decision making, focussing on children and young people in Wales having a voice and advocating for policy changes in Wales.

Coleg Sir Gâr lecturer Nicky Abraham said: “Social media can be a powerful tool for connection, but can also present challenges. Promoting digital citizenship among children and young people in this digital era is essential for effective safeguarding and promoting well-being.

“I’m pleased to be able to share the important work of Dyfed Powys Police on a national platform.”

Read Nicky’s article on page 8 and 9 (scroll for English version)