Amy Orben, Sebastian Kurten (University of Cambridge), Sakshi Ghai (University of Oxford), Sonia Livingstone, Anri van der Spuy (LSE)
This project addresses the global issue of online child sexual exploitation and abuse (OCSEA) in low-and-middle-income countries (LMICs), where research and safety provisions lag behind high-income countries. Aligned with REPHRAIN’s mission, it aims to balance individual agency and social good, focusing on culturally sensitive online harm protection. The research involves two cross-national datasets, “Disrupting Harm” (12 LMICs, 2020-2021) and “Global Kids Online” (6 LMICs, 2016-2019), examining community and individual risk factors in OCSEA. By advancing conceptual understanding and validating measurements, the project contributes to global efforts in safeguarding children online. The urgency is underscored by reduced safety investments from major tech companies, emphasizing the need for effective, culturally relevant strategies to protect children in the digital age.