You may have heard the terms deep web and dark web used interchangeably. But they are two different things with separate meanings. The deep web is any part of the internet that isn’t open and indexed. In other words, it’s websites or pages that won’t show up through internet searches because they aren’t designed to be public.
It is estimated that the dark web makes up 48% of the internet.
The dark web is a part of the internet where things are purposely hidden from view through encryption software, which can hide the identity and location of users. While it may seem like a big and unknowable place, the dark web only makes up a small part of the deep web.
How is it accessed?
- The dark web cannot be easily accessed by regular web browsers like Safari and Chrome. Instead, users need to use a special browser, such as The Onion Router (TOR), which was named after the layers of an onion.
- While some search engines do exist, the dark web is not easy to search: users typically need to know exactly where they are going. Dark web addresses are not usually made of words. For example, www.google.com could look like sdfhjdsf656.onion.
- Information and user guides about the dark web are widely available, meaning that anyone (including young people) can learn how to gain access with enough research and technical ability.
What is it used for?
The dark web is used for many things, from trading illegal materials to confidential communication between news outlets and whistle-blowers. Young people can decide to access the dark web for various reasons, which include both legal and illegal motivations:
- Pirating (an online term for stealing) materials including games, films, music, and books.
- Being completely anonymous online. Young people may want to be untraceable in their online actions out of principle or fear (such as avoiding being a victim of a data leak or avoiding detection online).
- Purchasing illegal contraband like drugs, weapons, fake IDs and documents.
- Learning about and engaging with political movements that are censored on the ‘open web’. This could include protests and riots happening in a country with extreme media censorship.
- Out of curiosity. Whether it’s just for fun, because of a dare, or genuine interest, young people may give in to their curiosity and begin to explore the dark web.
- Trading cryptocurrency (such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Dogecoin). Not all activity involving this trading takes place on the dark web. Most will be through legitimate open web methods.
Should you be worried?
The dark web requires a complex understanding of encryption, computers, and the internet. This means that if a young person does begin to use the dark web, they may not use it long term.
Some young people may hear about the dark web from videos with catchy titles like ’10 disturbing things hidden on the dark web‘ or see it depicted in T.V. shows, like Netflix’s How to Sell Drugs Online (Fast), which may encourage curiosity. If a young person decides to visit the dark web with relatively good intentions, there are still risks that can impact them including:
- Explicit and illegal content, including extreme gore, animal cruelty, graphic violence, and child sexual abuse material. This content can appear without warning, meaning a young person could see material that leaves them feeling shocked and distressed.
- A potential exposure to online grooming due to the anonymity of the dark web and the technical skill of its users. Lack of regulations and the ability to hide content and activities from law enforcement means it’s extremely difficult to prosecute crimes on the dark web should a child or young person become a victim.
- Websites and chatrooms that encourage unhealthy and dangerous behaviours, like radicalisation, self-harm, or suicide.
Top Tips
- Have an understanding of how the dark web works and how it can be accessed on a mobile, tablet, and desktop.
- Talk about the websites and apps children and young people in your care are visiting and spending time on. Make this a two-way conversation and talk about what you like to read and watch online, to help facilitate open and honest conversations.
- Discuss parts of the internet that are not safe or healthy. This will allow you to judge just how much the young person may or may not know about the dark web.
- Reassure the child or young person in your care that they can come to you or another trusted adult if they ever see anything upsetting online. Learn more about trusted adults with our range of resources.
- Avoid using website names or information that is too detailed if discussing the dark web. It’s best not to draw attention to things and create curiosity!
Visit our Safety Centre to find out more about keeping safe in the online world.