Ofcom’s 2024 review examines how children’s developmental stages affect their online behaviour and exposure to risk. It proposes five age groups, from 0–5 through 16–17, and looks at factors such as cognitive development, impulsivity, peer influence, self-image, sexuality, online habits, harmful content, and parental supervision. The main message is that children’s online risks and support needs change significantly with age and development, so online safety measures should take these differences into account rather than treating children as a single group.
Ofcom’s 2024 review examines how children’s developmental stages affect their online behaviour and exposure to risk. It proposes five age groups, from 0–5 through 16–17, and looks at factors such as cognitive development, impulsivity, peer influence, self-image, sexuality, online habits, harmful content, and parental supervision. The main message is that children’s online risks and support needs change significantly with age and development, so online safety measures should take these differences into account rather than treating children as a single group.
- online behaviour online safety