Britain’s crime agency is urging for enhanced safeguards for children online, citing the current digital landscape as “unsafe.” This call comes in light of alarming statistics from the National Crime Agency (NCA) revealing that 90% of removed child sex abuse material involves content created by victims who were groomed and coerced.
The NCA disclosed that it received nearly 100,000 reports of online child sex abuse in 2025, marking a significant surge compared to six years ago. Additionally, an estimated 840,000 adults in the UK are deemed to pose a sexual threat to children, with instances of children being preyed upon by strangers through websites and social media platforms.
In a high-profile case, authorities identified 320 victims within a ‘sextortion’ network comprising 6,000 members. The scheme involved manipulating schoolgirls into sharing explicit images, followed by threats to distribute the content unless more images were provided. The situation escalated to severe abuse, including degrading acts broadcasted through live streams, encompassing self-harm.
NCA Director General Graeme Biggar emphasized the pressing need for action, stating, “The online environment, as it currently stands, poses significant risks to children, as evidenced by the distressing cases investigated by NCA officers and police colleagues regularly.” He highlighted the staggering volume of reported cases, with tech companies signaling 400 suspected instances of online child sexual abuse daily in the UK, noting a concerning trend towards younger victims.
Biggar underscored the role of children producing and sharing explicit images on various platforms, including encrypted services, in facilitating forms of child sexual exploitation such as grooming and extortion. He advocated for implementing controls on children’s devices as a preventive measure to curb such offenses.
The NCA’s appeal for heightened online protections for children aligns with Technology Secretary Liz Kendall’s recent comments, where she emphasized the necessity for decisive measures to safeguard minors. Kendall indicated a potential ban on social media access for those under 16, hinting at restrictions on popular platforms like TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram.
Acknowledging the overwhelming response from concerned parents, Kendall emphasized the need for support and intervention to address the risks associated with social media use among children. She noted the strong parental sentiment, with nine out of ten respondents in a consultation expressing support for imposing a social media ban on individuals under 16.