Online Harms Research

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Online Harms Research

Navigating digital spaces presents significant risks for children and young people. For over two decades, society has grappled with the growing impact of online harms—including cyberbullying, sexually motivated harassment, online hate, racism, and child sexual abuse. Alarming recent figures from the NSPCC revealed that online grooming incidents rose by 80% in 2023 alone.

At the University of East London, our research into online harms is dedicated to understanding and addressing these complex challenges. Through evidence-based insights and interdisciplinary collaboration, we aim to enhance online safety and reduce the risks faced by young people in digital environments.

CC-Driver

One of the most impactful pieces of research by UEL was the CC-Driver project. UEL conducted the largest survey of its kind with over 8,000 young people from across 8 European countries inputting information.
Our survey revealed that children are no longer just victims but at risk of entering cybercrime, from cyber risk-taking to cyber juvenile delinquency.

  • The size of the cyber-crime economy is £123,000,000,000,000.
  • 1 in 7 have sent out spam messages or self-generated images.
  • 1 in 5 have engaged in sexting, or shared materials which depict violence.
  • 1 in 8 have engaged in money muling.

The findings from this study will help us know how we can prevent young people from falling into risky or criminal behaviours online.

Research impact

UEL’s research into online harms has been described as “world leading”-the European Commission also described it as the “gold standard.” UEL collaborates closely with key national and international bodies, including the UK’s National Crime Agency, which recently drew on findings from our 'Youth Cyber Crime’ research to inform policy development.

Our pioneering work was among the first to centre children’s voices in both social media and virtual reality research.
In partnership with the NSPCC and the Children’s Commissioner, UEL conducted a landmark study examining the impact of online pornography on children and young people. Engaging over 2,000 participants, this research significantly influenced the formulation of the UK’s Online Safety Act (2023), helping to shape legislation grounded in the lived experiences of young people.

Internationally, UEL was invited in 2019 by the government of Rwanda to develop an evidence-based child online protection policy. Working directly with local stakeholders—including children and young people—UEL co-created a policy that was successfully implemented the same year.

As technology continues to evolve, so too do the risks facing children and young people online. UEL remains at the forefront of research and innovation, committed to understanding these emerging challenges and developing practical, protective solutions for a safer digital future.


Publications and other resources:

Child Online Harms Policy Think Tank
Online Harms and Cybercrime Unit