Children first see violent online content while still at primary school, and describe it as an inevitable part of being online, according to new research commissioned by Ofcom.

All children who took part in the research came across violent content online, mostly via social media, video-sharing and messaging sites and apps.

According to Ofcom, many of these children have seen violent content before they have reached the minimum age requirement to use these online services.

Children cited commonly coming across violent 18+ gaming content, verbal discrimination and fighting content. For many children, the videos of local schools and street fights were also normalised online.

For some, this is because of a desire to build online status among peers and followers, but others confessed they participated in sharing or viewing violent content to fit in.

Teenage boys appeared most susceptible to this social pressure to share and view violent content online, as well as pressure to find the material ‘funny’.

Older children, those aged above 14, were already found to be desensitised to violent content, and less likely to share it online or with peers.

Albeit less frequently, some children did mention seeing extremely graphic violence, including gang related content. While the children were aware of the dark web, and its associated violent content, none Ofcom had spoken to accessed this side of the internet.

Most children say they happen upon violent content unintentionally via group chats, posts from strangers on their social media newsfeed, or through recommender systems.

Sadly, most children feel they have no control over the violent content suggested to them, making them feel upset, anxious, guilty, and even fearful.

Adult professionals that spoke to Ofcom observed that cumulative exposure to violent content contributes to some children becoming socially and physically withdrawn in the real world.

Lack of Trust and Confidence in Reporting

A recurring theme in the study, carried out by Family, Kids, and Youth, is children’s lack of trust and confidence in the flagging and reporting process.

They worry that dwelling on harmful content in order to report it could lead to it being recommended more on their feed, so many choose to scroll past it instead. Other children describe their experience of reports getting lost in the system, and only receiving generic messages in reply to their report.

They also express concerns about the complexity of reporting processes, how approaches vary widely between platforms and feared a lack of anonymity.

Protecting Children From Harm Under the Online Safety Act

Ofcom said that the children taking part in their surveys are pleading with tech firms to take responsibility to keep them safer online.

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In response, the regulator says that user-to-user services must put in place specific measures designed to prevent children from encountering ‘Primary Priority Content’ – pornography and material which encourages, promotes or provides instructions for suicide, deliberate self-harm, and eating disorders.

Platforms must also protect children from other ‘Priority’ harms, including violent content and cyberbullying.

Ofcom says it will be using this study, as well as others, as part of its evidence base to inform its draft Protection of Children Codes of Practice, which will be published for consultation later in spring. These Codes aim to set out recommended practical steps tech firms can take to meet their requirements to protect children under the new laws.