The increasing interconnectedness of the world through digital means brings both unparalleled opportunities and challenges. As the digital landscape encompasses more than 5 billion users, it is evident that a shared understanding of online harms is imperative.

The World Economic Forum’s Global Coalition for Digital Safety introduces this typology, aiming to harmonise universal perceptions of online threats. From cyberbullying to hate speech, the varied interpretations of such issues have fragmented efforts to combat them. This typology seeks to bridge the gap, categorising harms into content, contact and conduct risks, laying the groundwork for unified action. Rooted in fundamental human rights principles, the framework is neither prescriptive nor regulatory but provides instead a foundational common language to enable global multi-stakeholder cooperation.

As online threats continue to evolve, the typology presents a vital step forward in achieving a collaborative, rights-respecting approach to digital safety.