Police warn online grooming of children 'getting easier'

Experts are urging parents to talk to their children amid warnings that online grooming is becoming "quicker" and "easier" than ever before. Childline reported that Snapchat, TikTok, and Instagram were the platforms most frequently named by children in counselling sessions about online sexual abuse.

Andri Nicolau, child exploitation prevention officer for Avon and Somerset Police, stated that children as young as five can be targeted through social media, gaming, and messaging platforms. She encouraged parents to foster an environment where children feel safe to seek help without fear of blame or punishment.

The warning follows the conviction of three men for grooming a 17-year-old girl on Snapchat before raping her. Research by the NSPCC revealed that sexual communication offences involving children in the South West of England have more than doubled in seven years, reaching 756 cases in 2024/25. Of these, 300 were recorded by Avon and Somerset Police.

Chris Sherwood, CEO of the NSPCC, expressed deep concern over the number of children disclosing online sexual abuse linked to these popular apps. He highlighted the devastating and lifelong impacts these crimes have on victims and their families. The Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) has also seen a sharp rise in young people contacting their reporting service due to fears of intimate images being shared online.

Nicolau emphasised that increased online activity makes children more vulnerable to grooming. She advised parents to engage in open conversations with their children, reassure them that it is not their fault, even if they have sent images, and to listen without judgment. She cautioned that removing devices or banning platforms could make children feel blamed and withdraw.