Advancing Interdisciplinary Approaches to Online Safety Research
Senuri Wijenayake, Joanne Gray, Asangi Jayatilaka, Louise La Sala, Nalin Arachchilage, Ryan M. Kelly, Sanchari Das
TL;DR
Online safety is multifaceted and siloed across HCI subfields; this paper proposes a workshop to unite researchers, policymakers, industry, and community advocates. It outlines four research areas of interest, pre-workshop logistics, a two-session structure, and a post-workshop publication plan to foster ongoing collaboration. The contribution is a structured plan to establish interdisciplinary agendas, networks, and action-oriented research in online safety, spanning Australia and international partners. The significance lies in enabling more inclusive, effective safety interventions across platforms, respecting diverse users and stakeholder perspectives.
Abstract
The growing prevalence of negative experiences in online spaces demands urgent attention from the human-computer interaction (HCI) community. However, research on online safety remains fragmented across different HCI subfields, with limited communication and collaboration between disciplines. This siloed approach risks creating ineffective responses, including design solutions that fail to meet the diverse needs of users, and policy efforts that overlook critical usability concerns. This workshop aims to foster interdisciplinary dialogue on online safety by bringing together researchers from within and beyond HCI - including but not limited to Social Computing, Digital Design, Internet Policy, Cybersecurity, Ethics, and Social Sciences. By uniting researchers, policymakers, industry practitioners, and community advocates we aim to identify shared challenges in online safety research, highlight gaps in current knowledge, and establish common research priorities. The workshop will support the development of interdisciplinary research plans and establish collaborative environments - both within and beyond Australia - to action them.