Research is showing that, as the internet has created a new way of life for nearly everyone in the 21st century, the social lives of children have almost entirely migrated online. Such a vast change has created disturbing opportunities for harms to children, posing threats to their safety and well-being.  Some young people say the harm caused by deepfakes, eating disorder videos, sextortion, child sexual exploitation material, misogynistic content, scams and other forms of online harm are having long-lasting effects on their mental health.

Children and young people say they want to be part of developing the solution to tackling online harms. Some already do important work supporting and educating their peers.  Children want the adults, governments and tech companies to act to prevent and address harms online.  However, a lot of parents, guardians, carers and grandparents report feeling a step behind on technology. This means they can feel at a loss to know what to do to protect, but also empower, the children in their lives.

In an era where digital landscapes shape childhood experiences, safeguarding children from online harms requires a collective commitment to strategies which promote vigilance, education, and proactive regulation.