Research paper - Child safety by design

The internet provides a world of opportunity for children and has been a lifeline for many during the COVID-19 pandemic, but it also poses a growing risk of exposing children to irreversible harm. Prevalence of online sexual exploitation of children (OSEC) exploded in 2021, with unprecedented increases in reported cases of grooming, child sexual abuse materials (CSAM), sextortion, and other abuse and exploitation. Children corroborated evidence shows that current measures are not sufficient to shield children from encountering harmful situations in their internet and social media use. 

In this research paper, the Down to Zero Alliance’s Building Back Better programme provides a clear path through the complexity. Informed by a systematic review of 151 mostly peer-reviewed sources, an international panel of 20 senior online safety experts, and focus group discussions with 141 children (aged 11 to 16) in ten countries, a set of concrete safety by design solutions are posed to those with the power to bring about change.