This review of the literature about online harmful sexual behaviour (HSB) was carried out to help inform and update guidance for practitioners working with children and young people with harmful sexual behaviour.
The report brings together current research on the developmental appropriateness of children's sexual behaviour online and the comparison and cross-over between children and young people displaying online and offline HSB.
This report is part of our Impact and evidence series.
Authors: Emma Belton and Vicki Hollis
Published: 2016
Key findings from the review of literature published between 2000 and 2015 include:
Please cite as: Belton, E. and Hollis, V. (2016) A review of the research on children and young people who display harmful sexual behaviour online: what is developmentally appropriate online sexual behaviour, do children and young people with online versus offline harmful sexual behaviours (HSB) differ, and is there an association between online and offline HSB? London: NSPCC.
Access guidance, resources and training to help you respond to and prevent incidents of problematic sexual behaviour and harmful sexual behaviour, including child-on-child and peer-on-peer sexual abuse.
Our elearning courses will help you manage, assess and respond to sexual harassment and abuse in primary and secondary schools.
The NSPCC Library and Information Service helps professionals access the latest child protection research, policy and practice resources and can answers your safeguarding questions and enquiries.
