“From coercive control through devices to online harassment, cyber bullying, stalking, grooming, revenge porn and other exploitation, technology-facilitated abuse is on the rise.
Children and young people are particularly vulnerable due to their routine use of social media. The NSPCC reports that 19% of children aged between 10-15 years old have exchanged messages online with someone they have never met. A sixth of people who experienced online harassment were under 18 years old and a quarter of all reports of blackmail relate to victims in this age group.
Such digital abuse can have serious conequences like anxiety, self-harm and suicidal thoughts, disruption to relationships and school. Perpetrators are likely to be known to their victims, but young people are also vulnerable to strangers who use anonymity and deception to gain trust.
Very recently, on 5th September 2025 a 48-year-old man was sentenced 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to child sexual activity and grooming offences at Wolverhampton Crown court. He met the three young girls on the platform Snapchat, masquerading as a 15-year-old boy. He built an emotional connection with them, and then quickly turned the conversation sexual. He arranged to meet them or turned up unannounced where he expected them to be, and once alone coerced them to engage in sexual activity and recorded it on his phone.
As well as being victims in their own right, in my experience as a stalking advocate, children and young people often become collateral damage in their parents’ abusive relationships: I have known perpetrators to interrogate their children online to obtain information about their victims, use them as third parties to relay abusive messages, conceal tracking or listening in their toys and bags, and inspect the family home through video calls.
It is essential that partners work together to tackle digital abuse of children and young people.
In September 2025 the National Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Conference brought together Police, CPS and other agencies such as the NSPCC. Their focus was on developing a more victim-focused, trauma informed approach to abuse against children.
Recommendations included effectively supporting victims to achieve best evidence through video recorded interviews and ensuring that a jury understands the victim’s background before they give evidence. It is incumbent upon us all to listen with compassion with young victims of all forms of digital abuse, to communicate effectively and appropriately with them, advocate for them, and recognize the very real impact on their wellbeing, development and relationships.”
Get help and information from:
The Cyber Helpline is a free, confidential helpline for anyone who has been a victim of cybercrime. They help individuals contain, recover, and learn from cyber attacks by linking them with cyber security experts who provide relevant advice and guidance. Their chatbot and team of volunteer cyber security experts will talk in a language that you understand and are able to advise you in all cyber security scenarios.
The Revenge Porn Helpline provides information and help one on getting online images removed.
#16days #NoExcuse and #ACTtoEndViolence
