Ofcom has published its annual report which looks at how people navigate the digital world and their experiences online. The report highlights the major role of the internet in daily life and looks at the benefits and risks. Multiple surveys were carried out including one on online behaviour and attitudes, with a sample of 3,300 children and a survey on online knowledge and understanding with 2,100 children.
Findings include:
• a third of children aged 8-15 who go online have seen worrying or upsetting content online in the past 12 months
• Of the 93% of 8-17 year olds who would tell someone if they saw something worrying or nasty online, 8% would use reporting and flagging to inform platforms of potentially harmful content they have seen
The Greenwich Safeguarding Children Partnership’s Schools Safeguarding Network recently completed an online safety survey with children and young people from Greenwich Schools. 1,996 children and young people responded to the survey. The key findings included:
• 39% of children and young people said they have been sent something online that made them feel worried, uncomfortable or that they though was wrong.
• 27% of children and young people responded that they had been asked to do something online that has made them feel worried, uncomfortable or they thought was wrong, with 10% going on to say that they did what they were asked.
• 28% of children and young people have said something to someone online that they wouldn’t say to them in person.
• 41% of children and young people responded that they would not be happy for the adults they live with to know about everything they do on social media or online gaming.
• When asked how often do you feel unsafe online, 4% of children and young people said always and 9% said often, with 47% saying not very often.
The Greenwich Safeguarding Children Partnership is working closely with schools, to ensure children feel safe online and know what to do or who to speak to if they feel unsafe.
