Child Online Harms Policy Think Tank Launch Report

Children’s increasing exposure to digital environments has intensified concerns about online harms. Ofcom’s latest data (2023) indicates that nearly 90% of children aged 3–4 now go online (as reported by parents), a substantial rise from 52% in 2018. The use of video-sharing platforms (VSPs) such as YouTube has also surged, from 45% in 2018 to 87% in 2023, raising serious questions about the appropriateness and safety of digital content targeting young users.

Despite platform age restrictions and moderation policies, harmful content remains easily accessible. Past research revealed that children could encounter explicit or violent material within just 2–4 clicks from child-friendly videos (Halliday, 2013). This issue persists today, with numerous media investigations exposing disturbing videos labelled with popular characters like “Elsa” or “Spiderman” that depict sexualised behaviour, violence, or vandalism, deliberately bypassing filters and exploiting recommendation algorithms.

The proliferation of such risks is further compounded by the rapid integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in digital services. AI-powered systems, such as algorithmic content feeds and Generative AI (GenAI) tools, can inadvertently or deliberately expose children to inappropriate content, encourage risky behaviours, and enable new forms of abuse, such as deepfakes or targeted exploitation. These harms are often amplified by business models that prioritise engagement and monetisation over safety, and by design features that exploit children’s developmental vulnerabilities.

In response, this report advocates for a proactive, evidence-based policy agenda that centres child rights and wellbeing in the design, governance, and regulation of digital platforms. Drawing on recent research, including findings from Ofcom, the VIRRAC project, and the CC-DRIVER initiative, it outlines the nature and scale of online harms, emerging threats posed by new technologies, and the structural gaps in current regulatory frameworks. The report concludes with concrete recommendations for policymakers, regulators, and industry stakeholders to embed safety-by-design, improve accountability, and ensure children can participate in digital life free from harm.