Parent Zone, in collaboration with UK Finance and Cifas, faced the critical challenge of understanding and combating online child financial harms (CFH), including fraud, identity theft, money muling, and money laundering. These harms threatened the financial security and well-being of children, demanding a comprehensive assessment of the landscape and the identification of systemic change levers.
We led a project to address this challenge by conducting extensive desk research involving over 50 sources. We convened a workshop with multidisciplinary experts in the field. This approach allowed us to review the existing taxonomy, prevalence, legislative and regulatory landscape, and emerging trends related to CFH. By mapping the system of existing initiatives, we gained valuable insights into potential intervention points.
Our research laid the foundation for Parent Zone and its consortium partners to develop evidence-based interventions over the next three years. By providing a holistic understanding of online CFH, including the roles of various stakeholders, prevalence, and regulatory frameworks, we empowered our clients to make informed decisions and drive meaningful change in safeguarding children’s financial well-being.
Authors
Partnering with DCMS to operate the UK’s first Safety Tech Challenge Fund - a groundbreaking grant programme aimed at empowering safety tech innovation to enhance child online safety
Through extensive desk research, use case development and stakeholder engagement, we recommended four areas of focus for the EHRC’s Strategic Plan relating to AI and equality and human rights.
Developing recommendations grounded in leading industry insights to empower DSIT to support the SafetyTech sector’s growth effectively and navigate potential challenges
Empowering DSIT to assess the Online Safety Bill’s effectiveness with a flexible M&E framework informed by robust research
Researching accreditation approaches across the technology sector to develop recommendations for a tailored accreditation process for the online safety tech industry
Comprehensive research to equip Ofcom with a deep understanding of online content accessibility via search services, informing online safety guidance
Crafting a comprehensive Interactive Services (IS) Model to provide Ofcom with a common framework for understanding user journeys and platform workflows
Conducting a detailed analysis of the emerging SafetyTech sector to enable DCMS to make informed decisions and continue supporting the sector’s expansion
Mapping the current state of the Age Assurance market, identifying representative use cases, and key challenges to help DCMS gain a more in-depth understanding of a rapidly evolving technology sector
Developing a ‘minimum-viable product’ for a standards framework to assess online safety compliance solutions
Through mixed methods user research we mapped the prevalence and impact of OVAWG, identified key dynamics characterising how these harms occur, and categorised 18 harm types.
Researched innovative design approaches that can support the safety of women and girls on online platforms and services.
Research, system-mapping and recommendations for Nominet's fund combatting illegal online harm.
Facilitating data access to catalyse innovation in the Safety Tech sector
