Online Safety Conference 2027: Protecting Children and Young People from Online Harm
Past Supporters Include
Overview
The implementation of the Online Safety Act, alongside the introduction of a social media ban for under-16s, marks a significant step forward in protecting children and young people from online harm. While these reforms place greater responsibility on technology companies to create safer digital environments, legislation alone cannot eliminate the risks posed by an increasingly complex online landscape. As artificial intelligence, emerging platforms and evolving online behaviours continue to reshape the digital world, professionals must be equipped with the knowledge and skills to safeguard children effectively.
- One in ten (11%) AI users aged 8-17 said they have used AI as someone to talk to or “as a friend” (Ofcom, 2026)
- 46% of parents don’t feel confident protecting their children’s privacy online (ICO, 2026)
- Around two thirds of young people surveyed reported witnessing or coming across harmful gender expectations online (Barnardo’s, 2026)
Join us at The Online Safety Conference 2026 where leading voices in policy, education, law enforcement, and child protection will explore the most pressing challenges in keeping children safe online. Through expert-led keynotes, practical case studies, and cross-sector collaboration, this event will offer strategies for tackling image-based abuse, radicalisation, misinformation, harmful algorithms, and AI-driven threats, while equipping professionals with tools to create digitally resilient and empowered young people.
Agenda
Registration
Chair’s Opening Remarks
Boglarka Meggyesfalvi, Researcher, Child Online Harms Policy Think Tank, Institute for Connected Communities, University of East London (invited)
Keynote: Delivering Online Safety Reform: Policy Updates and Practical Implications
- Examining the latest developments in the implementation of the Online Safety Act and the social media ban for under-16s
- Exploring what new regulatory duties and platform responsibilities mean for professionals working with children and young people
- Discussing how education, safeguarding and law enforcement can work together to complement legislative change
- Considering future priorities, emerging policy developments and the evolving online safety landscape
Jessica Zucker, Director of Online Safety, Ofcom (invited)
Keynote: Teaching Critical Thinking in an Age of Misinformation and AI
- Understanding the dangers of misinformation and AI online
- Examining the role of education in helping children critically evaluate online information and digital content
- Sharing practical approaches to embedding media literacy and critical thinking across the curriculum
- Strategies for building the skills to identify untrustworthy online content
Baroness Keeley, Member of the House of Lords (invited)
Keynote: Understanding Emerging Online Harms: Preparing for the Next Generation of Digital Risks
- Examining how online harms are evolving across social media, gaming platforms, messaging apps and AI technologies
- Understanding the different ways children and young people experience online harm, including gender-based abuse and exploitation
- Exploring how platform safety features can be used to create safer online experiences
- Identifying emerging trends and adapting safeguarding responses to protect children in a rapidly changing digital landscape
Will Gardner, CEO, Childnet (invited)
Questions & Answers
Comfort Break
Keynote: Social Media and Algorithms: Protecting Children in an Attention Economy
- Outlining how addictive design and content loops affect children’s mental health and safety
- Exploring the role of recommendation systems in promoting harmful content such as self-harm, disordered eating, or extremist ideologies
- Strategies for encouraging young people to critically assess the content they consume and why it’s being shown to them
- Tools and techniques to disrupt doom-scrolling, minimise screen time, and build healthier digital habits
Dr Velislava Hillman, Visiting Fellow, UCL (invited)
Case Study: Addressing Online Misogyny and the Manosphere
- Understanding how online misogyny, the manosphere and masculinity influencers are shaping children’s attitudes and behaviours
- Identifying early warning signs of harmful online communities and pathways into more extreme content
- Exploring educational approaches that promote healthy relationships, respect and gender equality
- Sharing safeguarding strategies to prevent online misogyny escalating into offline abuse, harassment or violence
Jenny Fox, Senior Subject Specialist, PSHE Association (CONFIRMED)
Questions & Answers
Lunch Break
Breakout Networking: Tackling Emerging Online Harms Through Education and Safeguarding
This interactive breakout session invites delegates to explore practical approaches to identifying and addressing new forms of online harm, including AI-generated abuse, deepfakes, and digital grooming. Participants will share current challenges and successes in embedding effective online safety education and safeguarding practices across schools, children’s services, and frontline settings.
Keynote: Tackling Safeguarding Challenges Posed by Harmful Online Forums and AI Chatbots
- Examining the growing role of AI chatbots, anonymous forums and online communities in influencing children’s wellbeing and behaviour
- Understanding the risks associated with emotional dependency, misinformation, harmful advice and exploitative interactions
- Identifying safeguarding concerns linked to self-harm, suicide, radicalisation and other harmful online communities
- Exploring practical approaches for recognising warning signs and supporting children navigating emerging digital risks
Katie Freeman-Tayler, Research and Policy Director, Internet Matters (invited)
Questions & Answers
Panel: Empowering Young People to Navigate Difficult Online Issues
- Understanding how children and young people experience online spaces and the challenges they face across different platforms
- Exploring how professionals can create trusted environments where young people feel confident discussing online harms
- Learning from young people about the education, resources and support they find most valuable
- Sharing practical strategies for engaging young people in conversations around extremism, misogyny, exploitation and harmful online content
Rani Govender, Associate Head of Policy and Public Affairs (Child Safety Online), NSPCC (CONFIRMED)
Representative, Voice of Online Youth (VoOY) youth board, NSPCC (CONFIRMED)
Comfort Break
Case Study: Keeping Children Safe at Home: Encouraging Parental Engagement in Online Safety
- Supporting parents to understand emerging online risks, including AI, harmful content and social media trends
- Sharing practical strategies for encouraging positive conversations about online safety at home
- Exploring how schools and organisations can improve parental engagement and confidence
Ashley Assiter, e-Safety Development Officer, Kent County Council (invited)
Case Study: Reducing Digital Risks for Children with Additional Needs
- Understanding why children with SEND may face increased risks online and the barriers they experience when accessing support
- Adapting online safety education and safeguarding approaches to meet a range of communication and learning needs
- Sharing inclusive strategies that build confidence, independence and digital resilience
- Demonstrating collaborative approaches between schools, families and specialist services to improve outcomes
David Wright CBE, CEO, SWGfl (invited)
Questions & Answers
Chair’s Closing Remarks
Boglarka Meggyesfalvi, Researcher, Child Online Harms Policy Think Tank, Institute for Connected Communities, University of East London (invited)
Conference Close
Get in Touch
2026 Speakers Included
Maeve Walsh
OSA Network Director
Online Safety Act Network
Jenny Fox
Senior Subject Specialist
PSHE Association
Professor Olga Jurasz
Director, Centre for Protecting Women Online & Professor of Law
The Open University
Hannah Oertel
External Relations & Programme Innovation Manager, Brianna’s Legacy & Founder
Delay Smartphones
Testimonials
A fascinating, informative and useful event, sharing important research, practical advice and strategies for tackling this in schools.
Amazing content from experts at the forefront of their field. Entirely relevant for the day-to-day work of supporting and enabling young people to engage with the online world positively.
The conference allowed me to further develop my knowledge of the issues under discussion through high-quality sessions led by experts and plenty of opportunities for Q&A.
Great and informative session!
Why You Should Attend
✓ High-level keynotes on the latest initiatives on protecting children online from policymakers and leading experts
✓ Case studies showing best practice in strategies that implement school-wide policies on online safety and best safeguard children
✓ A wide range of topics including radicalisation online, providing support for children with SEND, and co-producing digital safeguarding strategies
✓ Network with senior colleagues from across the public and voluntary sectors
✓ Gain 8 hours of CPD points towards your yearly quota
Who Should Attend
| Advocates | Charities |
| Safeguarding Leads | Think Tanks/NGOs |
| Academics | Police and Law Enforcement |
| Policy Managers | Local Councils |
| Teachers | Government Departments |
| Social Workers | Schools |
| Police | Universities |
Pricing Options
PRIVATE SECTOR
Your delegate place at this leading conference gives you: Full access to the conference; E-guide; Networking opportunities during the day; Access to presentations post conference; 8 CPD Points.
PUBLIC SECTOR
Your delegate place at this leading conference gives you: Full access to the conference; E-guide; Networking opportunities during the day; Access to presentations post conference; 8 CPD Points.
VOLUNTARY SECTOR
Your delegate place at this leading conference gives you: Full access to the conference; E-guide; Networking opportunities during the day; Access to presentations post conference; 8 CPD Points.
Support and Information
Some of the issues explored in this programme may be difficult or personally relevant. If you have been affected by the subject matter, specialist organisations are available that may be able to provide information, advice and support. View support and advice.
Please note that we are a professional conference and learning provider and are not a crisis or specialist support service.
Sponsorship
Raise Your Profile, Showcase Your Solutions, Generate New Business
If your products, services, and solutions can support our audiences in their roles, and you want to make connections and generate new business with key stakeholders, decision makers, and influencers, then please contact us HERE
IMPORTANT: There are only a small number of sponsorship opportunities available to ensure maximum exposure and ROI – contact us today to secure your place.
Virtual vs F2F
Whilst F2F provide better options for networking, there are many distinct advantages of sponsoring our online conferences including:
- Wider geographical reach of delegates and a different audience who prefer online to f2f
- Lower sponsorship package costs
- No travel/accommodation
- Less time out of the office
- No stand materials required (lower costs)
- 1 of only 2 sponsors involved – less competition on the day
- Prime speaking slot in the morning of the conference including Q&A – less distractions and easier for delegates to hear/absorb information
- Receive all delegate data after the conference to follow-up directly with those who attend and don’t attend (small % but still key stakeholders)
- Ongoing exposure via OnDemand access
To find out more and discuss your specific objectives, please contact us below:
