Uk Faces Alarming Rise In Children'S Online Sextortion Reports

New Alarming Statistics

The UK is grappling with a record rise in cases of sextortion among young people, with nearly all victims being boys aged between 14 and 17. In 2025 alone, the Report Remove helpline registered 394 claims of sextortion, marking a troubling 23% increase from the previous year.

Report Remove, a dedicated helpline managed by the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) in collaboration with Childline, assists children in reporting and removing sexual imagery of themselves circulating online. Last year, the service received reports from 1,894 children and young people regarding nude or sexual content, with a staggering 98% of sextortion cases involving young boys.

Voices of Concern

Hannah Swirsky, head of policy at the IWF, expressed her concern over the rising trend. "Victims and survivors of technology-facilitated child sexual abuse have talked about the stigma and the shame that can live with them for a really long time," she stated, highlighting the psychological impact of such abuse.

“Survivors have spoken about the fear they have that this imagery will continue to circulate, and the lack of control they have once that imagery is out there.”

Swirsky emphasized the urgent need for more support and education tailored for young boys who are increasingly facing this form of abuse. She also urged the government to implement on-device nudity detection and blocking tools to prevent children from being coerced into these scenarios.

Government and Charitable Responses

The rise in sextortion cases has sparked mixed feelings among those involved in safeguarding young individuals. Shaun Friel, director of Childline, acknowledged the dual nature of the statistics. While the increase in reports is worrying, it also indicates that more children are aware of and utilizing support services. "For many, the fear and isolation can feel overwhelming, and they often struggle to tell a trusted adult about what’s happening," Friel noted.

Meanwhile, Jess Phillips, the UK’s minister for safeguarding and violence against women and girls, reiterated the devastating impact of child sexual abuse and sextortion. She stressed the government's commitment to making online spaces safer for children, acknowledging the severe lifelong impact these crimes can have.

With 2,963 images and 509 videos of child sexual abuse identified by the IWF last year alone, the call for action is more pressing than ever. The government and organizations continue to work toward better protection and support mechanisms for vulnerable children navigating the digital world.