Pilot survey shows pediatricians fear online backlash affecting child abuse reporting, indicating a need for support.
In a pilot survey of 33 pediatricians, direct online harassment following mandatory child abuse reporting was rare (3.0%), yet 30.3% anticipated hesitation to report amid concerns about online backlash, alongside procedural and medico-legal burdens. Anticipated hesitation was numerically higher among less-experienced physicians. Perceived digital risk may contribute to defensive clinical practices, underscoring the need for visible institutional support pathways.
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Otani et al. (2026) studied this question.
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