In practice, children online often encounter content that can negatively impact their development. Harmful content includes violence, stereotyping, racism, or pornography. Exposure to images promoting unhealthy food, alcohol, and smoking can also adversely affect children. Although platforms take steps to remove harmful content for minors, teens and young people frequently encounter such material. Research by Ofcom shows that 67% of teenagers have recently encountered harmful content.
Besides harmful content, children also frequently face advertising and purchase prompts in games, on social media, and video platforms. Compared to adults, children are particularly susceptible to commercial influence because they are less capable of recognising advertising and are more vulnerable to deceptive and aggressive commercial practices. Therefore, protecting children’s rights in an increasingly digital world is essential, especially as the effects of technologies are not always immediately apparent.
