This briefing uses insight from Childline counselling sessions and NSPCC helpline contacts to highlight the experiences of young people who have viewed legal but harmful content online.
There is no official definition for legal but harmful content. The term is used to describe images, words and videos that are legal to create and view but have a high risk of causing physical or psychological damage or injury.
This briefing focuses on pornography and material which promotes or glorifies eating disorders, self-harm and suicide.
Key themes include:
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Please cite as: NSPCC (2022) Children’s experiences of legal but harmful content online. Insight briefing. London: NSPCC.
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