Over half of Darlington teens encounter inappropriate online content

A recent survey of teenagers in Darlington, UK, shows that many are exposed to disturbing content online. Of the 1,000 students aged 14 to 17 surveyed, 55% reported seeing inappropriate sexual or violent material. This content often appears unexpectedly on popular social media and gaming platforms. Teenagers spend a lot of time online. About 40% said they use the internet for at least six hours a day. One in five admitted to spending over eight hours daily on their devices. The survey also highlighted that 75% of respondents had been contacted by strangers online. The findings raise concerns about the effectiveness of current protections for children online. Half of the participants wanted social media companies to do more to keep inappropriate content away from users under 16. While the teenagers do not support a total ban on social media, they acknowledged the need for stricter controls. In a focus group, members shared their experiences. Jacob Lea, 15, described seeing horrific content, including violence and abuse, that he did not search for. He felt this material often appeared without warning on platforms like Instagram and TikTok. Matthew Adams, also 15, mentioned spending significantly long hours online and experiencing unwanted explicit content. He noted that much of this content is seen on Instagram and Snapchat. Summer Batley, 14, shared her frustration about seeing harmful messages related to body image and dieting, which she reported but still continued to see. Olivia Bedford, 15, described being added to troubling group chats where graphic images were shared. Only 31% of the surveyed teens said they were always asked their age before accessing inappropriate content. Some admitted to pretending to be older when asked. Labour MP Lola McEvoy, who hosted the focus group, called the findings shocking. She emphasized that parents and teachers need support to protect children online. The UK’s Online Safety Act aims to address these issues, with new measures expected to come into effect this summer to enforce age verification and content controls. Social media companies such as Instagram and Snapchat claim to take user safety seriously and provide specific settings for younger users, but they did not directly comment on the survey findings.