The NSPCC’s Latest Report on Harmful Online Content – Why Safer Public WiFi Matters More Than Ever
- 13 hours ago
- 3 min read
In February 2026, the NSPCC published a major new briefing:The Impact of Harmful Online Content on Children.
Drawing on real Childline counselling sessions and NSPCC Helpline contacts, the report provides powerful insight into what children and young people are experiencing online today — and the emotional impact it is having.
The findings are clear. Harmful online content is not an occasional issue — it is a daily reality for many children.
Harmful Online Content - the Scale of the Issue
Between April 2024 and March 2025:
Over 3,300 Childline counselling sessions focused primarily on online-related concerns
Almost 900 sessions related to online harm and safety topics
Nearly 700 sessions concerned online bullying
The NSPCC Helpline handled more than 2,200 child welfare contacts about online issues
Behind every statistic is a real child navigating an increasingly complex digital world.
What Children Are Experiencing Online
The report highlights several recurring and concerning themes:
Online bullying and harassment
Children described being targeted in group chats, impersonated, harassed, and in some cases subjected to AI-generated deepfake content.
Hate and discriminatory content
Young people reported repeated exposure to misogynistic, racist and identity-based hate content that affected their sense of safety and belonging.
Addictive design and excessive screen time
Algorithm-driven feeds, infinite scrolling and autoplay were linked to anxiety, disrupted sleep and “doomscrolling” behaviours.
Misinformation and AI-generated content
Some children struggled to distinguish between real and fabricated content, including convincing AI-generated videos, leading to fear and panic.
Early exposure to pornography
The briefing includes examples of children bypassing age checks and accessing explicit content at a young age, sometimes with lasting emotional and behavioural impact.
One of the most significant findings is that harmful material is often encountered passively — surfaced by algorithms and recommendation systems — rather than actively searched for.
The Emotional Impact
The emotional consequences described are serious:
Anxiety after viewing violent or distressing imagery
Confusion and panic caused by misinformation
Isolation following online bullying
Sleep disruption and reduced concentration
Feelings of helplessness when reporting tools fail
Some children told Childline they felt there was nowhere to turn. Others were reluctant to speak to parents for fear of losing device access altogether.
The NSPCC makes clear that safeguarding online cannot rest solely on children themselves. It must be a shared responsibility — involving platforms, regulators, parents, professionals and organisations providing internet access.
Where Public WiFi Fits Into the Safeguarding Conversation
Children do not only access the internet at home. They connect in:
Cafés and restaurants
Shopping centres
Libraries
Leisure centres
Transport hubs
Community venues
Public WiFi forms part of the wider safeguarding environment.
While platform accountability and regulatory enforcement are critical under the Online Safety Act, organisations that provide internet access also have a role in reducing avoidable exposure in shared public spaces.
How Friendly WiFi Supports Safer Digital Environments
Friendly WiFi was established to help venues provide filtered public internet access that reduces the risk of exposure to harmful and age-inappropriate content.
No system removes every online risk. However, appropriate filtering at network level can:
Block access to known adult and harmful content categories
Reduce accidental exposure in public settings
Support safeguarding and compliance policies
Demonstrate a visible commitment to child safety
Provide reassurance to families and communities
Layered protection matters — particularly in environments where children and families are present.
Safer public WiFi is not about restriction for its own sake. It is about responsible provision and leadership in digital safeguarding.
Read the Full NSPCC Report
We strongly encourage organisations working with children and families to read the full NSPCC publication:
It is essential reading for safeguarding leads, compliance teams, education providers, hospitality groups and any organisation offering public internet access.
If you would like help to review your organisation’s WiFi filtering provision or discuss how Friendly WiFi can support your safeguarding commitments, our team would be pleased to speak with you.
Request an Initial Quotation for Friendly WiFi Certification here
Creating safer digital environments is no longer optional — it is part of responsible leadership.
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