Reports of children being targeted by online criminals who threaten to publish their intimate images have risen sharply, prompting renewed calls for urgent action from technology companies and the UK Government.
The Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) recorded 462 reports of sextortion through its Report Remove service during the first six months of the year. This already exceeds the 394 reports recorded throughout the whole of the previous year.
The figures highlight growing concerns about the risks facing young people online, particularly those who are manipulated into sharing intimate images and subsequently threatened with exposure unless they pay money.
Teenagers Account for Most Reported Cases
Children aged 14 and 15 accounted for the largest group of reported victims, with 227 cases recorded during the six-month period. A further 217 reports involved young people aged between 16 and 17.
However, the data also revealed incidents involving considerably younger children. Seventeen reports concerned victims aged between 11 and 13, while one involved a child aged between seven and ten.
The involvement of children below the age of 14 has intensified concerns about how criminals are reaching and exploiting vulnerable users through digital platforms.
Boys Make Up 95 Per Cent of Victims
According to the IWF, boys accounted for 95 per cent of the reported sextortion incidents.
In many cases, the images used by offenders were originally taken by the young people themselves. Criminals typically obtain such material after persuading or tricking a child into sharing an intimate photograph or video, often through a phone or another device with a camera.
Once they have the images, offenders threaten to distribute them unless the victim pays a demanded sum. The threats can leave children feeling trapped, frightened and ashamed, even though the criminal is responsible for the abuse.
IWF Warns of Growing Harm to Young People
IWF chief executive Kerry Smith said the latest figures demonstrated that the dangers confronting children online remained a serious and worsening problem.
She warned that the continued rise in reports could cause further distress and harm to young people if the trend was not addressed.
The organisation also highlighted the extreme intimidation that can accompany sextortion. In some cases, the pressure placed on victims has been linked to self-harm, underlining the potential consequences beyond the financial demands made by offenders.
Government Considers Blocking Nude Images on Children’s Devices
The figures have renewed attention on proposed measures to prevent children from accessing or creating intimate images on their devices.
Last month, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said the Government would legislate to block access to nude images for under-18s if technology companies failed to introduce effective measures themselves.
Smith welcomed the commitment to nudity-blocking technology, arguing that built-in safeguards could help prevent criminals from obtaining compromising images in the first place.
She urged the Government to maintain momentum on online safety, warning that delays would leave children exposed to offenders who continue to target potential victims online.
Report Remove Helps Children Seek Removal of Intimate Images
Report Remove is operated by the IWF and the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC). The service allows people under 18 in the UK to report nude or sexual images of themselves that have already been shared online or that they fear may be distributed.
The initiative aims to help have such material blocked and removed, reducing the risk of further circulation and exploitation.
Its role is particularly important for young victims who may be uncertain about where to turn after being threatened or blackmailed.
NSPCC Calls for Urgent Action From Technology Firms
Rani Govender, the NSPCC’s head of child safety online, said sexual extortion could have devastating consequences for both young people and their families.
She warned that more children could become victims unless online platforms acted quickly and took their responsibilities seriously.
Govender also called for decisive action from both technology companies and the Government, arguing that failing to respond urgently would allow the abuse to continue.
Online Safety Measures Face Renewed Pressure
The rise in Report Remove cases has placed fresh pressure on policymakers and digital platforms to strengthen protections for children.
While the reporting service provides a route for young people to seek help with intimate images, the IWF and NSPCC say prevention remains crucial. Stronger safeguards, faster responses from platforms and continued government action could help reduce opportunities for criminals to exploit children.
The latest figures serve as a warning that online sextortion remains a serious child-safety issue, including for children well below their teenage years.
