One in ten young teens were sent sexual messages online last year and faced a wave of violent and criminal content, first survey of its kind finds

One in ten young teens were sent sexual messages online last year, according to the first survey of its kind, revealing widespread exposure to harmful content. The findings, based on data collected from over 6,000 children aged 10 to 15 in England and Wales, show that 12 percent of children aged 13 to 15 received at least one sexual message within the past 12 months. Of these, a quarter received such messages more than ten times, and nearly one in five were sent them by individuals aged 18 or older, indicating a potential risk of predatory behavior through online platforms. Girls were disproportionately affected, with 25 percent receiving messages from adults, compared to approximately 12 percent of boys. The survey highlights the extent of online dangers facing young people, with over a third, 37 percent, exposed to violent or criminal content. This includes instances of physical violence, such as fights between individuals or groups, which accounted for 34 percent of all violent content encountered. Additionally, nearly one in five children, 19 percent, reported encountering content promoting eating disorders, while 15 percent saw similar material related to sexual imagery or videos. Over 12 percent were exposed to content encouraging self-harm, much of which was encountered unintentionally. Most children who viewed harmful content did so without actively seeking it out, underscoring the passive nature of exposure in digital environments. The survey also revealed gender disparities in exposure to harmful content. Girls were more likely than boys to encounter hate speech, eating disorder-related content, and self-harm encouragement. Specifically, 21 percent of girls versus 17 percent of boys reported seeing a significant amount of hate-based content. For eating disorder content, 10 percent of girls compared to just 3 percent of boys saw substantial amounts. Girls were also more likely to search for such content, with 16 percent doing so versus 7 percent of boys. These differences suggest that young women may be particularly vulnerable to the psychological impacts of online exposure. Among the key findings, 68 percent of children who received sexual messages deemed them unwanted, with girls significantly more likely to experience this, 84 percent versus 49 percent of boys. Nearly half of those who received unwanted content, 53 percent, told someone about it, though the exact mechanisms for reporting or addressing such issues remain unclear. Some children admitted to sharing unwanted content without consent, with 11 percent stating that at least one message had been shared publicly or shown to others without their approval. The survey also documented extensive screen time among young people, with 84 percent of children aged 10 to 15 spending three or more hours online each weekend. A quarter spent seven or more hours daily on weekends, while two-thirds spent three or more hours online during weekdays. Smartphones were the primary device used, with 88 percent relying on them for internet access, followed by desktop computers and laptops, which were used by 62 percent. Common online activities included watching videos, reels, vlogs, or livestreams, which 83 percent engaged in, and messaging, which 76 percent participated in. The findings have prompted renewed discussions about the role of social media companies in safeguarding young users. With the UK government planning to ban social media for under-16s starting next spring, concerns persist about how effectively such measures will address broader risks. While the Office for National Statistics conducted this survey via online methods, marking a shift from previous in-person approaches, questions remain about the long-term impact of proposed restrictions and how best to support young people's online safety.