Detached Youth Work in the Digital Age

21st – 23rd November 2025, Hinsley Hall, Leeds

What do we mean when we speak of the ‘Digital Age’? Young people are often described as ‘digital natives’, as if the digital age is at the core of who they are – central to their identities. Many say they could not live without these technologies (particularly social media), that these tools help them learn, move, socialise and keep in touch with friends. Other voices argue young people need protection from associated harms, such as digitally initiated mental ill health, cyber-bullying, on-line grooming and exploitation. Wider concerns about the impact of the digital world include social isolation and the ‘depopulated street’, the role of ‘influencers’, mis and dis-information, growing intolerance, polarised thinking, discrimination, hate speech and violence. Limiting young people’s access to social media is increasingly advocated to mitigate these social ills, notably in Australia. The use of digital technologies are also advanced as means to achieve ‘positive outcomes’: surveillance, tracking, profiling, AI and algorithms as tools to identify those ‘at risk’ more efficiently and direct resources toward them. But what of privacy, consent, and young peoples’ freedom to move, speak and participate in the digital age?

In the spirit of working with – rather than doing to – perhaps we have a duty to ask: what kind of education do young people need to help them navigate the digital world? And how might detached youth work contribute to that; what knowledge, skills and attitudes do those working with young people need to engage with these issues? Is this a case of detached youth work having to compete with the seductive realities of the digital age, or are there ways of working with both the challenges and the benefits and opportunities it might bring? Does working in the digital age demand a re-think as to what detached youth work is and how we work? Ultimately, what of detached youth work Futures in the digital age?

Conference schema

This two-day conference will convene at 1600 on Friday the 21st of November and end at 1600 on Sunday the 23rd. Full board and day delegate rates are available. We're pleased to announce the early bird accommodation options for this year's conference. The venue provides a variety of room types including single rooms (with 4 being wheelchair accessible), double rooms, suites (with double beds and sofa beds), twin rooms etc. All are en-suite except for 3 rooms which have private but separate bathrooms. Please indicate your accommodation preferences when registering to ensure your comfort throughout the conference.

We will also present the Bill Cox Award for good practice in detached youth work. Bill, who was the Federation for Detached Youth Work’s Life President, died in November 2024. Detached youth workers, whether attending the conference or not, are invited to submit case studies of their work. Further details will be available soon.

Call for speakers / contributors / workshop facilitators

The Federation for Detached Youth Work invites interested parties to propose contributions that engage with the conference themes. These might include lectures / presentations (c. 30 minutes) or workshops (c. 2 hours). Proposals for other formats are welcomed. Please email the Federation for Detached Youth Work at info@fdyw.org.uk to ask for a Contributor’s Proposal Form.

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Booking link:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/detached-youth-work-in-the-digital-age-tickets-1233121602909

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