Understanding the pathways to online harm is a critical step in building safer digital environments. New UK research, conducted by the Lucy Faithfull Foundation, provides significant data on the risks adults face online and underscores the necessity of proactive, evidence-based interventions. The study, which surveyed over 3,700 UK adults, explores adult online sexual behaviour and the potential for encountering harmful or distressing content on unregulated platforms.
The findings reveal that a substantial number of respondents have encountered material that made them uncomfortable, highlighting a widespread issue that affects digital wellbeing across the nation. This research is vital for developing effective strategies for online safety and harm prevention.
Academic Expertise Driving National Prevention Efforts
The project benefited from the direct academic contribution of Dr. Alexandra Bailey, Associate Professor of Psychology at the University of Roehampton and Head of Psychology at the Lucy Faithfull Foundation. Dr. Bailey’s expertise in understanding behavioural escalation and preventing online harm was instrumental in shaping the study’s approach and interpreting its findings.
Her work focuses on a critical area: how patterns of online behaviour can develop over time and how timely, confidential support can mitigate risks to both individuals and the wider community. This collaboration demonstrates the powerful impact of combining academic rigour with the practical, on-the-ground experience of third-sector organisations.
Understanding the Pathways to Harm
Dr. Bailey’s insights shed light on how individuals can inadvertently find themselves in unsafe online spaces. “People don’t usually set out to engage with harmful or illegal content,” she explains. “But unregulated online environments can increase the likelihood of encountering material that is distressing or dangerous.”
This perspective is crucial for shifting the focus from blame to prevention. By understanding the environmental and psychological factors that lead people to these spaces, support services can develop more effective early intervention strategies. The research helps map out these pathways, providing a clearer picture for policymakers and safeguarding professionals.
The Critical Role of Self-Awareness and Confidential Support
A key finding from the study is that many adults are already reflecting on their own online usage, with a notable proportion expressing concern. According to Dr. Bailey, this self-awareness is a powerful tool for prevention, but it is often hindered by feelings of shame and embarrassment.
“Shame and embarrassment can stop people reaching out,” she notes. “But evidence shows that confidential, non-judgemental support works. When people feel able to seek help, it can make a real difference, both for them and for protecting children.”
This highlights the importance of services like the Stop It Now! helpline, run by the Lucy Faithfull Foundation, which offers confidential advice to people worried about their own or someone else’s online behaviour. Creating a culture where individuals feel safe to seek help before a situation escalates is fundamental to effective harm reduction.
From Research to Real-World Impact
The collaboration between the University of Roehampton and the Lucy Faithfull Foundation is a clear example of how academic research can directly inform and improve public services. The insights gained from this large-scale study are used to shape the Foundation’s prevention services, guide national conversations on online safety, and educate the public on the realities of digital risks.
Dr. Bailey’s work contributes to the University of Roehampton’s broader commitment to research that addresses complex social challenges and delivers tangible, real-world impact. By working closely with practitioners and policymakers, Roehampton’s academic expertise helps build safer digital environments for everyone.
As the digital landscape continues to evolve, research like this provides the essential foundation for safeguarding strategies and public education. It reinforces the message that online safety is a shared responsibility, requiring a combination of individual awareness, robust platform regulation, and accessible, non-judgemental support systems.
For those concerned about their own online behaviour or that of someone they know, confidential support is available through services dedicated to prevention and harm reduction.
