New Evidence Pack: Online harms affecting children:
New evidence pack highlights online harms affecting children
The Youth Justice Board (YJB) has published a new Evidence and Insights Pack exploring the impact of online harms on children and young people.
The report highlights how online platforms play a central role in children’s lives but can expose them to risks including cyberbullying, sexual abuse, radicalisation and exploitation. These harms can affect wellbeing, behaviour and, in some cases, contribute to offline violence.
The evidence also shows that harmful online content and the sharing of intimate images are becoming increasingly normalised, with girls disproportionately affected. The YJB identifies the need for early intervention, improved digital literacy and safer-by-design online platforms to help protect children.
The pack is intended for youth justice services, children’s services and safeguarding partners, supporting efforts to reduce harm, challenge harmful online behaviours and promote positive outcomes for children and young people.
Services working with young people are encouraged to explore the evidence pack and reflect on how they can strengthen their response to online harms. By promoting digital resilience, recognising emerging risks and creating opportunities for open conversations about online experiences, youth practitioners can play a key role in safeguarding children and helping them develop positive, healthy and safe online lives.
