New data from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) has revealed that nearly 20% of 10-15 year olds have experienced online bullying and almost one in 10 teenagers has received a sexual message.
Jess Edwards, Barnardo’s Senior Policy Advisor for childhood harms, said: “Alongside rich opportunities for children to learn, socialise and be entertained, the online world can also be a place of real danger for children and young people. These new ONS figures show just how prevalent that threat is - with almost one in 10 young teenagers receiving sexual messages.
“At Barnardo’s, we know how scary, unsettling and damaging this can be for children and young people. They may not always know when they are at risk from such content or interactions - which can lead to online sexual abuse or exploitation. Our teams work with children and young people who have been hurt in this way so they can understand, process, and move on from their experiences.
“These new figures starkly illustrate why the Online Safety Act, alongside proper enforcement by Ofcom, is so important. Children need to be protected from the dangers in their handheld devices.”