The internet offers children and young people incredible opportunities to learn, connect, and explore. Yet alongside these opportunities, there are risks, including exposure to online harm such as child sexual exploitation and abuse.
At SWGfL, we understand that when young people experience harm online, it can be difficult for them to understand what has happened or to feel confident speaking up. To address this, we’ve launched Project Ember, a new initiative funded by Safe Online, designed to better understand the support young people need when reporting and responding to harmful online behaviour.
As part of Project Ember, we have released an anonymous and confidential survey for young people aged 13 to 24. The insights gathered from this survey will directly inform:
- Support services for children, young people, and families
- Tools and systems for reporting harmful online behaviour
- Policies to make the internet safer for everyone
We are inviting all young people in this age group to share their experiences and perspectives. Their input will help shape the future of online safety, ensuring that support services and reporting systems are effective, accessible, and responsive to the needs of those who need them most.
Supporting Young People During Research
Taking part in research on sensitive topics, such as online child sexual abuse and harmful online behaviour, can bring up difficult thoughts and feelings. It is normal for a young person to feel this way. If a child in your care is struggling or would like to talk about their experiences, please encourage them to contact a trusted organisation such as Childline, NSPCC, The Mix, or Childnet International.
If you support or care for young people aged 13–24, we encourage you to share this survey and help them participate in this vital research. All responses are confidential and anonymous, giving young people a safe space to speak freely.
To access this survey, please follow the link below.
Through Project Ember, SWGfL is committed to ensuring that the internet remains a space where young people can explore, learn, and connect safely, with the confidence that support is available if they ever face harm online.
