NSPCC report reveals social media platforms failing to shield girls from online harm
Children's charity highlights alarming vulnerabilities exposing girls to grooming, harassment, and abuse across major digital platforms.
A recent report by the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) has unveiled significant shortcomings in how social media platforms protect young girls from online harm. The study indicates that features designed to increase user engagement may inadvertently expose girls to risks such as grooming, harassment, and abuse. of teenage girls across ten popular platforms. The findings revealed that these profiles were swiftly targeted by adult strangers, highlighting the ease with which predators can identify and contact underage users.
The report also notes that certain platform functionalities encourage users to expand their networks and remain online longer, potentially compromising their safety. These design choices, while aimed at boosting user interaction, may inadvertently facilitate harmful interactions.
A YouGov poll accompanying the report found that 86% of UK adults believe tech companies are not doing enough to protect women and girls online. Parents of girls aged 4-17 expressed concerns about contact from strangers (41%), online grooming (40%), bullying (37%), and sexual abuse or harassment (36%).i
Rani Govender, NSPCC’s policy manager for child safety online, emphasized the need for platforms to reassess their design priorities. “It’s imperative that tech companies and regulators address how certain design elements can lead to unsafe environments for girls,” she stated.
The NSPCC recommends that platforms conduct “abusability studies” to identify and mitigate features that may pose risks to young users. Suggestions include implementing stricter controls on unsolicited messaging, enhancing reporting tools, and introducing measures to verify the age and identity of users.
Under the UK’s Online Safety Act, platforms are mandated to assess and mitigate risks to children on their sites. Non-compliance could result in substantial fines or even restrictions on operating within the UK.Â
As digital platforms continue to play a central role in young people’s lives, the NSPCC’s findings serve as a crucial reminder of the ongoing need to prioritize user safety, especially for vulnerable groups like young girls.
