Interactive Installation Warns of Online Dangers to Children
On 24 September, a thought-provoking installation opens at London's Westfield Stratford City, raising awareness about online threats to children. The immersive experience, created by experts at the University of East London, is part of the ETIH Innovation Awards 2026, celebrating excellence in global education technology.
The installation, open to all, encourages visitors to explore two full-sized pre-teen bedrooms. Hidden apps, private chats, and potentially toxic influencers lurk on smart tech and gaming devices, challenging visitors to identify the dangers themselves. The experience aims to spark conversations at home with children and young people about online safety.
The installation delves into gendered pathways, with boys more likely to encounter gamified misogyny and violent content, and girls disproportionately affected by image-based abuse and body shaming. It is part of a wider call-to-action on prevention strategies in online safety.
Organizations worldwide can submit their impactful educational initiatives for the ETIH Innovation Awards 2026. Winners will be announced on 14 January 2026, with successful projects featured in the first print magazine distributed at BETT 2026. The awards focus on workforce development, AI integration, and innovative learning solutions, with this year's installation setting a powerful example of raising awareness about online harms.
