Immersive installation at London’s Westfield created by the University of East London highlights online threats to children
A new immersive installation taking place at London’s Westfield Stratford City will highlight potential online threats to children.
Taking place on 24 September, the free installation was created by experts at the University of East London and aims to educate passers-by about the technologies exposing children to potential harm.
“Online harms are often subtle, it’s important to work with children and young people to help them recognise the signs and respond appropriately,” explains Professor Julia Davidson, Director of the University of East London’s Institute for Connected Communities.
The installation includes two full-sized pre-teen bedrooms filled with hidden apps, private chats, and potentially toxic influencers all on smart tech, gaming devices and computers. Visitors will be challenged to identify the dangers themselves.
“The University of East London’s installation aims to help people identify the warning signs of online harm and encourages having difficult but vital conversations at home with children and young people on online safety to help protect them,” Davidson adds.
The installation also explores gendered pathways, with boys more likely to be impacted by gamified misogyny and violent content while girls are disproportionately impacted by image-based abuse and body shaming.
The University of East London says the project is part of a wider call-to-action on the need for prevention strategies.
Davidson says: “We’re not just talking about online safety, we’re changing how it’s understood, taught, and protected in legislation.”
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