Professor Sonia Livingstone

Digital Futures for Children

Digital Futures for Children (DFC) is a joint LSE and 5Rights research centre, directed by Prof Livingstone and based in the Department of Media and Communications. The centre will support an evidence base for advocacy, facilitate dialogue between academics and policymakers and amplify children's voices, in accordance with the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child’s General comment No. 25.

A collaboration with the 5Rights Foundation, this applied research project is working to put children’s interests at the centre of the design of the digital world.

EU Kids Online

EU Kids Online is a multinational research network. It seeks to enhance knowledge of European children's online opportunities, risks and safety. It uses multiple methods to map children's and parents' experience of the internet, in dialogue with national and European policy stakeholders.

Global Kids Online

Global Kids Online is an international research project that aims to generate and sustain a rigorous cross-national evidence base around children’s use of the internet by creating a global network of researchers and experts, and a research and impact toolkit, to inform and promote children’s rights in the digital age.

Online risks and resilience in children's daily lives (ORChiD)

This collaborative project explores children’s online experiences and their relationship to mental health and development in late childhood (ages 8-10). It builds on a DIORA: Dynamic Interplay of Online Risk and Resilience in Adolescence, a multi-method study of the mental health risks and benefits of digital technology use.

Platforming Families (PlatFAMs)

Funded by CHANSE/ESRC, PlatFAMs examines the embeddedness of digital platforms in the lives and practices of modern families by researching three-generations (children, parents, grandparents) in five European countries (Norway, Estonia, UK, Romania and Spain).

Adolescent Mental Health and Development in the Digital World

Research will address how the digital environment influences brain development and function, mental health and mental health problems, risk behaviours, bullying, loneliness and social isolations and also how digital technologies can be harnessed to promote positive behaviours and mental well-being.

Children's Data and Privacy Online

Funded by the UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office, this project led by Prof Sonia Livingstone seeks to address questions and evidence gaps concerning children’s conception of privacy online.

Children’s Rights in the Digital Age

To examine how children's rights to provision, protection and participation are being enhanced or undermined in the digital age, this project aims to build on current evidence of online risks and opportunities for children worldwide.

The Class

This ethnographic research project examined the emerging mix of on- and offline experiences in teenagers’ daily learning lives. The team focused on the fluctuating web of peer-to-peer networks that may cut across institutional boundaries, adult values and established practices of learning and leisure. The book is here.

CO:RE – Children Online: Research and Evidence

Towards a pan-European knowledge platform on the effects of digital technologies on children and young people. CO:RE examines children’s digital experiences relating to their health, lifestyles, participation and digital citizenship, well-being, safety, and security. The LSE team coordinates the theoretical dimension of the research.

Community Through Digital Connectivity

This project examined the role that communication plays in promoting and hindering community among London’s diverse populations. Read the final report here.

Connected Learning Research Network

This interdisciplinary research network is dedicated to understanding the opportunities and risks for learning afforded by today's changing media ecology, as well as building new learning environments that support effective learning and educational equity. Read the final report here.

DigiLitEY

This COST Action is examining children’s digital literacy skills as they engage with the latest technologies including wearable technologies, 3D printers, robots, augmented reality apps, toys and games and the Internet of Things.

Digital Futures Commission

A collaboration with the 5Rights Foundation, this applied research project is working to put children’s interests at the centre of the design of the digital world.Gender and Adolescence: Global Evidence (GAGE)

This nine-year (2015-2024) mixed methods longitudinal research and evaluation programme is following the lives of adolescents in diverse Global South contexts. Read the report on digital media.

euCONSENT

Led by Upcom, euCONSENT is an EU-funded research and development initiative bringing together twelve partners including academic institutions, NGOs and technology providers to design, deliver and pilot a new Europe-wide system for online age verification and parental consent.

Impact of Marketing on Children's Behaviour

In light of raising concerns about advertising practices targeting children, the study examined children's exposure to online marketing content in social media, online games and applications. Read the final report here.

MakEY

Makerspaces in the early years: Enhancing digital literacy and creativity. This research network aims to further research and innovation in the area of young children’s digital literacy and creative design skills.

Media Consumption and the Future of Public Connection

This project examined the relationship between consumption and citizenship, asking whether and, if so, how, people's media consumption gives them the resources to connect to wider publics. Read the final report, and the resulting book.

The Nurture Network (#eNurture)

Funded by UKRI (ESRC), this network is researching how the digital environment intersects with the traditional influences on children – family, school, peers. The aim is to build new practice models to improve children and young people’s mental health outcomes.

Outcomes and Effectiveness for Children's Helplines

Funded by the NSPCC, this project reviewed the evidence related to outcomes and effectiveness for children’s helplines so as to inform the future planning of effective service delivery.

Parenting for a Digital Future

This qualitative and quantitative research project investigated how children and young people, along with their parents, carers, mentors and educators imagine and prepare for their personal and work futures in a digital age. The work is being blogged at www.parenting.digital.

Public Understanding of Regimes of Risk and Regulation

This project (2004-2008) asked how consumers are now represented within the new culture of regulation and, on the other hand, how consumers themselves understand their changing role within communications and financial service regulation.

For previous research projects, see Professor Livingstone's CV (available on request).

Toddlers and Tablets

This project investigates family practices and attitudes around very young children’s internet use in Australia and the United Kingdom with the aim of developing recommendations for policy makers and offering guidelines for parents of young children.

ySKILLS

The project involves longitudinal research with children aged 12 to 17 to offer evidence on how to enhance and maximise long-term positive impacts of the ICT environment on multiple aspects of children’s well-being by stimulating resilience through the enhancement of digital skills.

Postgraduate teaching

Professor Livingstone teaches the popular postgraduate course Children, Youth and Media. She has also contributed lectures to team-taught graduate-level Media and Communications courses relating to theories and concepts (MC408/MC418) and research methodologies (MC4M1/MC4M2).

Doctoral supervision

Professor Livingstone is accepting applications on topics relating to children and digital media. She has successfully supervised 25 PhDs on children, young people and media, and audiences and publics in the changing digital media landscape.

• Livingstone, S. (in press). Is the internet good for children? Cambridge: Polity.
• Green, L., Haddon, L., Livingstone, S., O’Neill, B., Stevenson, K., and Holloway, D. (2024). Digital Media Use in Early Childhood: Birth to Six. Bloomsbury.
• Livingstone, S., and Pothong, K. (Eds.) (2022) Education Data Futures: Critical, Regulatory and Practical Reflections. 5Rights Foundation.
• Livingstone, S. and Blum-Ross, A. (2020) Parenting for a digital future: how parents’ hopes and fears about technology shape children’s lives. New York: Oxford University Press.
• Livingstone, S. and Sefton-Green, J. (2016) The class: living and learning in the digital age. NYU Press, New York. ISBN 9781479824243. See launch and blog.
• Davies, C., Coleman, J. and Livingstone, S. eds. (2014) Digital technologies in the lives of young people. London: Routledge.
• Butsch, R. and Livingstone, S, eds. (2014) Meanings of audiences: comparative discourses. London: Routledge. ISBN 9780415837293.
• Livingstone, S., Haddon, L. and Görzig, A., eds. (2012) Children, risk and safety on the internet: research and policy challenges in comparative perspective. Policy Press, Bristol. ISBN 9781847428820 Read chapter 25.
• Lunt, P. and Livingstone, S. (2012) Media regulation: governance and the interests of citizens and consumers. SAGE, London. ISBN 9780857025708.  See flyer, read chapter 1.
• Couldry, N., Livingstone, S. and Markham, T. (2010) Media consumption and public engagement: beyond the presumption of attention (2^nd edition). Palgrave Macmillan, Basingstoke, UK. ISBN 9781403985347
• Livingstone, S. (2009) Children and the internet: great expectations, challenging realities. Polity Press, Oxford, UK. ISBN 9780745631943. Read chapter 1.
• Livingstone, S. and Haddon, L., eds. (2009) Kids online: opportunities and risks for children. The Policy Press, Bristol, UK, pp. 241-252. ISBN 9781847424396. Read introduction, conclusion.
• Millwood Hargrave, A. and Livingstone, S. (2009) Harm and offence in media content: a review of the evidence (2^nd edition). Intellect, Bristol, UK. ISBN 9781841502380. Download book for free.
• Lievrouw, L., and Livingstone, S. (Eds.) (2009) New media. Sage Benchmarks in Communication (Volumes 1-4). London: Sage. Contents. Introduction.
• Drotner, K., and Livingstone, S. eds. (2008) The international handbook of children, media and culture. London: Sage. Introduction.
• Lievrouw, L. A. and Livingstone, S. eds. (2006) Handbook of new media: social shaping and social consequences – student edition. SAGE Publications, London. See Introduction.
• Livingstone, S. (2006) Lo spettatore intraprendente: analisi del pubblico televisivo. Trans. D. Cardini. Rome: Carocci.
• Livingstone, S. (Ed.) (2005) Audiences and publics: when cultural engagement matters for the public sphere. Bristol: Intellect Press. Download book for free.
• Lievrouw, L. A. and Livingstone, S. eds. (2002) Handbook of new media: social shaping and social consequences. SAGE Publications, London. ISBN 9781412918732.
• Livingstone, S. (2002) Young people and new media: childhood and the changing media environment. Sage, London. ISBN 0761964665. Read chapter 4. Linked report: Young People, New Media.
• Livingstone, S., and Bovill, M. (Eds.) (2001) Children and their changing media environment: a European comparative study. Hillsdale, N.J.: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. Read chapter 1, chapter 2.
• Livingstone, S (1998) Making sense of television: the psychology of audience interpretation (2^nd edition). London: Routledge. Read conclusions.
• Livingstone, Sonia and Lunt, Peter (1994) Talk on television: audience participation and public debate. Routledge, London, UK. ISBN 9780415077385. Read chapter 2.
• Lunt, P. and Livingstone, S. (1992) Mass consumption and personal identity: everyday economic experience. Open University Press, Buckingham, UK. ISBN 9780335096718. Download book for free.

'World-leading' impact case study

Professor Livingstone's impact case study Realising children's rights in a digital world was judged 'world-leading' in the UK's most recent research excellence exercise, 'REF 2021'.

Recent knowledge exchange and impact work

Recent selected reports resulting from Professor Livingstone's knowledge exchange and impact work are listed below:

• Independent International Scientific Panel on AI (2026) Preliminary report. United Nations.
• Staksrud, E., Livingstone, S., & Olafsson, K. (2026) Use, views and worries on age bans on social media: responses from 29,169 children in 19 European countries. EU Kids Online, University of Oslo and LSE.
• International Panel on the Information Environment [K. Pothong, S. Kaynak, D. Fry, S. Ghai, S. Livingstone, A. Phippen, C. R. Soriano, L. M. Given, P.N. Howard, S. Valenzuela (eds.)] (2026) Detecting, Deterring, Investigating, and Prosecuting Technology-Facilitated Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse: A Systematic Review. Zurich, Switzerland: IPIE.
• Sylwander, K. R. & Livingstone, S. (2025) The impact of General comment No. 25 in the UNCRC review process. Digital Futures for Children centre, LSE and 5Rights Foundation.
• Rahali, M., Kidron, B., and Livingstone, S. (2024) Smartphone policies in schools: What does the evidence say? Digital Futures for Children centre, LSE and 5Rights Foundation.
• Stoilova, M., Rahali, M. & Livingstone, S. (2023) Classifying and responding to online risk to children: good practice guide. London: Insafe helplines and the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE).
• Bryce, J., Livingstone, S., Davidson, J., Hall, B., and Smith, J. (2023) Online risks to children: evidence review. Reviewing the evidence base on online harms to children. NSPCC.
• Livingstone, S., Helsper, E., and Rahali, M. (2022) The digital lives of children and youth. Chapter 9, Global Connectivity Report 2022. International Telecommunications Union.
• Smirnova, S., Livingstone, S., and Stoilova, M. (2021) Understanding of user needs and problems: a rapid evidence review of age assurance and parental controls. euCONSENT.
• Kardefelt-Winther, D., Twesigye, R., Zlámal, R., Saeed, M., Smahel, D., Stoilova, M., and Livingstone, S. (2020) Digital Connectivity during COVID-19: Access to information vital for every child. Innocenti Research Brief 2020-12. Florence: UNICEF.
• Ito, M., Arum, R., Conley, D., Gutiérrez, K., Kirshner, B., Livingstone, S., Michalchik, V., Penuel, W., Peppler, K., Pinkard, N., Rhodes, J., Salen Tekinbaş, K., Schor, J., Sefton-Green, J., and Watkins, S.C. (2020) The Connected Learning Research Network: Reflections on a Decade of Engaged Scholarship. Irvine, California: Connected Learning Alliance.
• Stoilova, M., Livingstone, S. and Nandagiri, R. (2019) Children’s data and privacy online: Growing up in a digital age: research findings. London: London School of Economics and Political Science.
• Davidson, J., Livingstone, S., Jenkins, S., Gekoski, A., Choak, C., Ike, T., and Phillips, K. (2019) Adult online hate, harassment and abuse: a rapid evidence assessment. Report commissioned by the Department of Digital, Media, Culture and Sport and conducted on behalf of the UK Council for Internet Safety’s Evidence Group. London: DCMS.
• LSE Media Policy Project (2019) Morton, S., et al. (2019) Children’s experiences online: building global understanding and action. UNICEF Office of Research - Innocenti, Florence. An independent evaluation of Global Kids Online.
• LSE Media Policy Project (2018) What does the European General Data Protection Regulation mean for children in the UK? Roundtable report, London: LSE Media Policy Project. See a blog on this roundtable and report.
• Livingstone, S. and Livingstone, S., Lansdown, G., and Third, A. (2017) The Case for a UNCRC General Comment on Children’s Rights and Digital Media. A report prepared for the Children’s Commissioner for England. London: Office of the Children’s Commissioner.
• House of Lords: Select Committee on Communications (2017), Growing up with the Internet, 2^nd report of session 2016-17. HL Paper 130. (Special advisor).
• Livingstone, S., Davidson, J. & Bryce, J., with Batool, S. Haughton, C., & Nandi, A. (2017) Children’s online activities, risks and safety A literature review by the UKCCIS Evidence Group. London: Department of Digital, Media, Culture and Sport.
• Livingstone, S., Nandi, A., Banaji, S., and Stoilova, M. (2017) Young adolescents and digital media uses, risks and opportunities in low- and middle-income countries: A rapid evidence review. DFID/ODI: Gender and Adolescence, Global Evidence.
• Blum-Ross, A. and Livingstone, S. (2016) Families and screen time: current advice and emerging research. LSE Media Policy Project, Media Policy Brief 17. LSE: London, UK.
• Byrne, J., Kardefelt-Winther, D., Livingstone, S. and Stoilova, M. (2016) Global Kids Online: children's rights in the digital age: synthesis report. Global Kids Online, London, UK.
• Nash, V., Adler, J.R., Horvath, A.H., Livingstone, S., Marston, C., Owen, G., Wright, J. (2016) Identifying the routes by which children view pornography online: implications for future policy-makers seeking to limit viewing. Report of Expert Panel for the Department of Culture, Media and Sport. London: DCMS.
• Livingstone, S., Carr, J., and Byrne, J. (2015) One in three: The task for global internet governance in addressing children’s rights. Global Commission on Internet Governance: Paper Series. London: CIGI and Chatham House.
• Livingstone, S., and Mason, J. (2015) Sexual rights and sexual risks among youth online: A review of existing knowledge regarding children and young people’s developing sexuality in relation to new media environments. A report commissioned by eNACSO, the European NGO Alliance for Child Safety Online, Rome.
• McDougall, J., and Livingstone, S., with Sefton-Green, J., and Fraser, P. (2014) Media and Information Literacy Policies in the UK. Report for COST (Transforming Audiences, Transforming Societies).
• Ito, M., Gutiérrez, K., Livingstone, S., Penuel, B., Rhodes, J., Salen, K., Schor, J., Sefton-Green, J., and Watkins, C. (2013). Connected learning: an agenda for research and design. Irvine, CA: Digital Media and Learning Research Hub.
• Livingstone, S., and Bulger, M. (2013) A Global Agenda for Children’s Rights in the Digital Age: Recommendations for Developing UNICEF's Research Strategy. Florence: UNICEF Office of Research.
• Bulger, M., and Livingstone, S. (2013) Media literacy research and policy in Europe: A review of recent, current and planned activities. Report of a seminar organised by the COST Transforming Audiences, Transforming Societies Action, Brussels.
• Ringrose, J., Gill, R., Livingstone, S., and Harvey, L. (2012) A qualitative study of children, young people and ‘sexting’: A report prepared for the NSPCC.
• Panel Member (2009, December) The Impact of the Commercial World on Children's Wellbeing: Report of an Independent Assessment. London: Department for Children, Schools and Families.
• Livingstone, S. (2008) Contribution to main text, and author of Appendix B, of the Home Office Task Force on Child Protection on the Internet’s Good Practice Guidance for Social Networking and User Interactive Services. Revised (2010) as guidance by the UK Council for Child Internet Safety.
• Bradbrook, G., Alvi, I., Fisher, J., Lloyd, H., Moore, R., Thompson, V., Brake, D., Helsper, E., and Livingstone, S. (2008) Meeting their potential: the role of education and technology in overcoming disadvantage and disaffection in young people. London: Becta.
• Livingstone, S. (2006) New research on advertising foods to children: An updated review of the literature. Prepared for the Research Department of the Office of Communications (Ofcom), January. Annex 9, Television Advertising of Food and Drink Products to Children.

Professor Livingstone's YouTube videos relating to screen time, children’s rights online and parenting the digital. Here’s a good overview. See Professor Livingstone’s TED Talk on Parenting in a Digital Age and a recent podcast for the FT’s Tech Tonic.

Professor Livingstone's blog on all things parenting/childhood/digital media is at www.parenting.digital – contributions to this are welcome, so do email her with suggestions. Professor Livingstone also blogs on media policy, internet governance and children’s rights on the LSE Media Policy Project blog.

You can follow her on Twitter @Livingstone_S.