Adultification is the term used to describe what happens when a child is perceived to be older and therefore less vulnerable than they are, and subsequently treated with less care and protection than other children because of it. This can be because of the way they look, talk, act or even the levels of responsibility held within a family, which are different to those associated with other children their age.

Along with high profile cases like Girl Q, this has led to concerns voiced by many parents/carers, academics, and professionals that if some children are treated as more ‘adult’, particularly those from Black, Asian and minoritized ethnic communities, due to factors such as race, gender and class, their wellbeing, safeguarding needs and rights as children could be diminished or overlooked.