The internet is a place where children can play, learn and connect with others. However, it can also put them at risk of abuse and harm. When a child experiences abuse or harm online it can be challenging to know the best way to respond.
This briefing uses insights from Childline counselling sessions and NSPCC Helpline contacts to share the types of responses children receive after they have told someone about their experiences of online harm or abuse.
Childline heard about the responses children had from:
Children talked to us about positive and negative experiences and the different forms of practical and emotional support they received.
NSPCC Helpline heard from parents wanting advice on how to respond and how to improve their initial response.
Key topics children and adults talked to us about were:
Please cite as: NSPCC (2024) Insights on responses to children experiencing online harm and abuse. London: NSPCC
Our insight briefings use data and insight from Childline counselling sessions and NSPCC Helpline contacts to explore concerns children and young people have raised and how these affect them.
References
Learn about the risks children and young people face online, the policies and procedures you need, what the law says and what steps you need to take to help keep them safe.
Any child or young person can experience online abuse. If a child or young person has disclosed that they've experienced abuse online, or you've noticed something worrying, find out how to respond appropriately.
Being exposed to harmful content online can be damaging to children's wellbeing. But what exactly are online harms and what can we do to protect children?
Lessons from case reviews published between 2015 and 2022, where online harm or abuse was a key factor.
This review looks at the online risks and harms experienced by children in the UK between 2017 and 2023.
Research into the risks to children of virtual or augmented reality.
