Alarming Surge In Childline Calls Over Online Sexual Abuse

Childline's Disturbing Findings

Childline has revealed a concerning 36% rise in counselling sessions related to online sexual abuse, logging 2,444 instances between April 2025 and March 2026. This uptick underscores a troubling trend in online child sexual abuse, as highlighted in the latest figures from the NSPCC.

Chris Sherwood, CEO of the NSPCC, voiced his frustration, stating, "For far too long, tech companies have prioritised profit over the wellbeing of children, playing fast and loose with their safety. Enough is enough." Sherwood's passionate plea reflects the urgency of the situation, where every session represents a child navigating a perilous online landscape.

Wider Online Dangers

The NSPCC's data paints a broader picture of rising online dangers, with 4,321 Childline sessions addressing issues like cyberbullying, exposure to inappropriate content, and concerns over digital behavior in the past year. Many children reaching out to Childline have expressed fears over privacy, cyberbullying, and harmful material, with some seeking guidance on communicating these experiences to adults.

"It is crucial that the Government uses their consultation on children’s access to the online world as a springboard to finally hold platforms to account for this harm," Sherwood urged.

Sherwood emphasized the need for government intervention to ensure tech companies proactively block the sharing of indecent images and make online spaces secure for young users. He encouraged public participation in consultations aimed at creating safer digital environments.

Call for Action

The NSPCC is calling on both government and tech giants to urgently step up protections for children online. Their recommendations include age-appropriate platform designs, curbing addictive features, and leveraging the law to block harmful content. As part of this effort, the charity has launched the Shift Ctrl campaign to highlight how online harm disrupts young lives and to galvanize public demand for substantial change.