Well-being and the digital worlds of unaccompanied refugee children and young people (URCYP).

Last year, the UK received 5,152 applications for asylum from unaccompanied children: children who came to the UK without their caregivers. Separation from family members is an important threat to the mental health of refugee children, and there are increasing concerns about the safety of separated children in the UK. Understanding their digital worlds is a good place to begin to examine some of the safeguarding risks they are vulnerable to, but also to examine how social media and other digital resources can be leveraged to support social cohesion and a sense of belonging. Previous psychological research has shown a positive relationship between time spent online and the formation of social capital. However, time spent online has also been associated with more risk. This participatory study examines the multiple ways in which Unaccompanied Refugee Children and Young People (URCYP) in the South of England engage with social media and digital resources. We co-designed a research methodology with URCYP, meaning there was active participation of URCYP in identifying problems, designing solutions, and implementing actions. Data collection took place October 2022 – March 2023 and consisted of a workshop with 17 participants, another workshop with 11 participants, and 5 interviews with key informants, all of which were URCYP. In addition, there were 11 qualitative questionnaires filled out by care providers. A collaborative thematic analysis highlighted the significance of digital technology and social media for URCYP, indicating the importance of maintaining social connections, learning, and identity development. At the same time, the study highlights the potential risks associated with the online engagement of URCYP, emphasising the need for caregivers to support them in developing safe and responsible digital behaviours. The findings suggest the need for tailored guidance and support to promote safe and responsible use of social media and digital resources among URCYP.