Data and evidence play an important role in addressing online child safety challenges head-on. Especially as the pace of technological advancement accelerates, adding another complex layer to the challenge of shaping a safe and empowering digital world for all children and young people, the critical need to create such a world can hardly be realised without comprehensive and high-quality evidence, particularly insights from children and young people worldwide. This missing piece is essential for shaping effective strategies and initiatives to combat online risks and harms effectively.


The need for urgent, comprehensive and quality data and evidence led to the design of Disrupting Harm, a first-of-its-kind large-scale, multi-country innovative research project on children’s experiences with digital technology and countries' actions producing roadmaps for countries roadmaps to ensure that children and young people are safe in digital spaces. Funded by Safe Online and jointly conceptualised with three global organisations - ECPAT International, INTERPOL, and UNICEF Innocenti – Global Office of Research and Foresight, this US$15 million flagship project is building the global evidence base on digital harms for children. It is already generating unique insights into the manifestation of digital harms in 25 countries across 6 regions and providing tailored roadmaps for key actors to act across levels.

Disrupting Harm, Creating Impact

What sets Disrupting Harm apart is its innovative multisectoral approach, harnessing the collective expertise of global partners. Through the Disrupting Harm methodology, nations gain invaluable insights into both local nuances and universal patterns, guiding policymakers and practitioners in crafting effective strategies and investments to address this urgent issue both at home and globally.

The Disrupting Harm data is already leading to meaningful change across countries. Malaysia in 2023, made sexual extortion and livestreaming of child sexual abuse distinct offenses, to enable better prosecution of these crimes. This step followed data from the Disrupting Harm Malaysia report, which highlighted the threat of sexual extortion in the country. With a footprint in 25 countries across six regions, Disrupting Harm offers the most comprehensive evidence on online child sexual exploitation and abuse in the context of other forms of violence to date. See here for more on Disrupting Harm Findings and cross-country Data Insights..

The Safe Online Portfolio and Data for Change Initiative

In addition to Disrupting Harm, Safe Online has a powerful portfolio of research projects that produces actionable research for tech industry that to help bring key actors together and jointly tackle digital harms to children. The Safe Online led Data for Change – Safe Digital Futures for Children Initiative is a key step forward in prioritising data in the fight against online child sexual exploitation and abuse. Recognising that effective action requires collaboration, capacity building, and sustained political support, this initiative aims to ensure that data is leveraged effectively in our collective pursuit for a safer digital future for our children.

Safe Online research projects and initiatives generate cutting-edge data and evidence which are used to inform our strategic investments across the Safe Online portfolio of around 100 grantees across the world; and build a global evidence base for advocacy and collective action to secure the rights and safety of children in the digital world.


Learn more here. Contact Safe Online via info@end-violence.org if your country is interested in conducting Disrupting Harm and if you wish to learn more about the other Safe Online led research Initiatives.