Experts from ARU’s International Policing and Public Protection Research Institute (IPPPRI) will lead the study, which aims to bolster the NSPCC's ongoing advocacy efforts with Ofcom and the Government to enhance child online protections.
In collaboration with CHILDWISE Research, ARU researchers will survey approximately 1,500 young people aged 12-18 from secondary schools across the UK. The anonymous online survey will examine the prevalence, nature, and circumstances of sexual communication occurring between children and adults via direct messaging platforms.
“"We are pleased to have been commissioned by the NSPCC to undertake this vital research. Through our previous studies into the online harms experienced by young people, we know that direct messaging services can form a critical part of the pathways that lead to exploitation. These platforms can provide perpetrators with direct access to children and young people, creating opportunities for grooming and other harmful behaviours. By gathering and analysing robust evidence, we hope to deepen understanding of how these harms occur and, crucially, identify what can be done to prevent them."
This project aligns with IPPPRI's commitment to producing research that informs policy, aids safeguarding initiatives, and contributes to creating safer online environments for children and young people. Previously, IPPPRI assisted in developing the ECHO Survivor Hub, a tool designed to help victims of online child abuse remove their images from the internet. Its researchers are also examining other online risks, such as how extremist groups recruit and radicalise users through video games.
