New research from Barnardo’s, The impact of online misogyny on children and young people’s attitudes and behaviours, highlights the widespread harm and normalisation of misogynistic content online and its impact on children and young people across the UK.
The report, based on a Censuswide poll of 4,000 young people aged 13–20, paints a stark picture of children’s experiences of harmful and degrading online content. It shows misogyny is not an abstract issue but part of daily digital life for many young people and is shaping how they think, feel and behave.
Key findings
- 65 % of young people report witnessing or encountering harmful gender expectations online, including sexist language and stereotyping.
- 25 % of girls say they have been called degrading names online, and 34 % of 13‑year‑olds saw this happen to someone else.
- 18 % of girls report receiving repeated unwanted messages after asking someone to stop or ignoring them.
- Around 15 % of 13–15‑year‑olds have been asked to send a nude image of themselves, and 12 % of girls report being threatened with the sharing of nude images.
- 25 % of respondents say they’ve seen nude images originally shared privately being redistributed without consent.
What young people want
The young people involved in the research, advising Barnardo’s Call It What It Is campaign, said adults and technology platforms need to do more to prevent harm rather than respond after abuse has occurred. They want stronger protections, safer online design and more effective education and support.
Why this matters
Barnardo’s warns that constant exposure to sexist, harassing and misogynistic content normalises harmful attitudes and behaviours and can shape how young people view gender norms, relationships and safety. It also highlights links between online and offline behaviour, with digital experiences reinforcing damaging beliefs about respect, power and gendered behaviour.
The research underscores the importance of education, early intervention, and trauma‑informed safeguarding across youth settings — a theme that is reflected in current national discussions on violence against women and girls and in professional development programmes.
Find out more about the The impact of online misogyny on children and young people’s attitudes and behaviours report here
This will be explored further at the Violence Against Women and Girls Conference 2026: Delivering the National Strategy, taking place virtually on Wednesday 14th October 2026.
The conference will bring together education professionals and the wider children’s workforce to examine what the Government’s Violence Against Women and Girls strategy means in practice, and how early action can help stop harm before it escalates. The programme will explore online misogyny and digital sexual harm, healthy relationships and consent, constructively challenging harmful behaviours, supporting victims and survivors, and strengthening prevention and safeguarding responses.
For further information and to book your place, visit www.healthcareconferencesuk.co.uk/conferences-masterclasses/violence-against-women-and-girls
