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Children can become victims of abuse on the internet through online games, social networking sites and apps such as Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat, which they can access through devices including tablets, mobile phones and games consoles.
To help protect children while they're online, follow these steps:
You can also find advice about things like setting parental controls or advising your child on good password practice at Get Safe Online.
It's illegal for anyone to have, share or make sexual images or videos of people under 18.
Legally this includes personal images or videos made by under 18s and shared with each other (sometimes called 'sexting').
But it's not always in the public interest to prosecute in these cases. We'll decide whether to take action depending on things like evidence of exploitation or grooming.
‘Sextortion' is the short term for 'financially motivated sexual extortion’. It is a type of online blackmail where criminals threaten to share sexual pictures, videos, or information about their victim. Young people aged between 15 to 17 are especially at risk of sextortion.
The charities, groups and organisations below can provide information and support.
Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Centre
The national police agency for tackling offenders who use the internet to groom and abuse children.
Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Education
An education programme providing training, resources and information for children and young people (aged 4 to 18), their families and professionals who work with them.
Get Safe Online
Free and impartial security advice on how to stay safe online and protect your internet-connected devices.
Remove Report
Young people under 18 can report sexual images and videos of themselves and get them removed from the internet. This won't affect any police investigations. The service is run by Childline.
Stop online child sexual abuse
How to report sexual images or videos of under-18s to the Internet Watch Foundation.