Children are accessing the internet at younger ages than ever before—globally, every fraction of a second, one child goes online. Experts warn that this increase in internet access exposes children to serious risks.

According to a new study conducted by the Youth and Combat Research Centre at Western Sydney University and Save the Children, children from low-income families, in particular, have 35% less ability to reject inappropriate or unsolicited requests from strangers. The study suggests that not reporting or blocking such individuals increases the risk of children engaging in unwanted connections in the future.

In the UK, under a new law called the Online Safety Bill, tech companies will be required to take strong actions to ensure the safety of children on the internet. However, the new laws will not come into effect until 2025, and critics argue that the laws are not sufficient.

According to the United Nations, globally, every fraction of a second, one child accesses the internet for the first time, and children are spending more time online than ever before.

Data shows that, compared to the remaining 65% of the world’s population, young people are the driving force behind global connectivity, with 79% of individuals aged 15 to 24 maintaining relationships through the internet in 2023.

“As children’s internet use increases, they need help to navigate the constantly changing digital environment safely,” says Amanda Third, co-director of the Youth and Wellbeing Research Centre at Sydney University.

According to a UNICEF study, cyberbullying affects more than one in three young people in over 30 countries, and as a result, one in five children drop out of school.

Exposure to hateful speech, violent content, recruitment by extremist groups, misleading information, and conspiracy theories on digital platforms also require careful attention.

However, “the most alarming risk is the threat of online sexual exploitation and abuse,” says the United Nations agency.

According to UNICEF, “Child sexual offenders reaching out to connect with victims, sharing explicit images, and encouraging others to engage in inappropriate actions was never an easy task. But now, in 25 countries, reports indicate that around 80% of children are at risk of being sexually exploited or abused online.”