NSPCC’s Childline sees sharp rise in children fearing sexual images will be leaked online
- Love Ballymena
- 5 minutes ago
- 4 min read
A still Image from the NSPCC’s new campaign ‘Shift Ctrl’
Children across Northern Ireland and the UK are increasingly turning to Childline in fear that intimate images shared online could destroy their futures, as new figures reveal a dramatic rise in counselling sessions linked to online sexual abuse and exploitation.
The NSPCC says children are being exposed to growing levels of harm on social media and digital platforms, with young people reporting blackmail, coercion, online bullying, scams and fears over explicit images being shared without consent.
New data released by the charity shows Childline delivered 2,444 counselling sessions about online child sexual abuse and exploitation between April 2025 and March 2026 — a 36% increase on the previous year.
The figures also reveal a broader surge in online harm concerns, with the service delivering 4,321 counselling sessions linked to digital dangers overall, including cyberbullying and unsafe online behaviour. That marks a 30% rise compared to the previous 12 months.
For many young people, the fear is not abstract. The NSPCC says children contacting Childline described being terrified explicit images would be leaked online, anxious about being financially extorted, and deeply worried about the long-term impact on careers, reputations and mental health.
Northern Ireland children describe fear and desperation
A still Image from the NSPCC’s new campaign ‘Shift Ctrl’
Among those seeking support was a 17-year-old girl from Northern Ireland who told Childline she feared intimate images she shared when younger could resurface publicly years later.
She said:
“I sent nude pictures to an older boy I knew when I was younger. He’s still got them on his phone, and I’m scared they will be leaked on the internet. I’m really scared it will ruin my career in the future if the pictures get leaked.”
Another young person from Northern Ireland, aged 15, described confusion, fear and suicidal feelings after sending explicit images online.
They said:
“I used to send nudes to strangers I met online. I’m scared that the pictures will be leaked. I’m also worried because I didn’t realise what I was doing was wrong. I thought it was ok to send nudes under 16, but now I know that its illegal under 18. I don’t want to get into trouble or get a criminal record. I don’t want to be here anymore.”
The NSPCC stressed that the snapshots are based on real Childline service users, but names and identifying details have been changed to protect children involved.
The charity also noted it cannot guarantee whether platforms involved have since changed their safety processes.
Charity warns tech firms are “playing fast and loose” with children’s safety
The NSPCC says the figures point to a much wider failure by major technology companies to adequately protect children using their platforms.
Young people contacting Childline described encountering harmful content, being manipulated online, suffering bullying, and struggling with screen addiction and unhealthy digital habits.
Chris Sherwood, CEO of the NSPCC, accused tech firms of prioritising profit over child safety.
He said:
“For far too long, tech companies have prioritised profit over the wellbeing of children, playing fast and loose with their safety. Enough is enough.
“Behind each of these Childline counselling sessions is a child in distress, using an online world with features that are designed to put them at risk.
“It is crucial that the Government uses their consultation on children’s access to the online world as a springboard to finally hold platforms to account for this harm and to force them to make these spaces safe for young users.”
He added that companies should be required to stop nude images of children being created and shared “in real time”.
Pressure grows ahead of Government online safety consultation deadline
The figures have been released as the Government continues its consultation on children’s access to social media and online platforms.
The NSPCC is demanding three major actions:
• Ensure children receive genuinely age-appropriate online experiences
• Ban addictive platform design features that keep young people online excessively
• Use stronger legal powers to block illegal and harmful content, including nude images, at source across platforms, devices and AI systems
The charity has also launched a new public campaign called Shift Ctrl, aimed at highlighting how online harm affects children’s everyday lives.
The campaign will appear across cinemas, billboards, social media, online video services and on-demand television platforms across the UK.
Internet Watch Foundation warns abuse is becoming “normalised”
Kerry Smith, Chief Executive of the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF), said online child sexual exploitation is becoming increasingly widespread and dangerous.
She warned that girls are facing “increasingly normalised sexual violence” online, while boys are being targeted through blackmail and extortion schemes designed to exploit fear and shame.
Smith said:
“Our analysts are discovering record amounts of child sexual abuse imagery online. Stopping this downward spiral and working to create an internet where everyone can flourish needs to be the priority.
“Safety by design needs to be a guiding principle – and new products and platforms must be built to make sure there is nowhere where criminals can target and exploit children.”
She added that online protections must apply even on encrypted services, warning it remains “too easy” for criminals to exploit children online.
How parents and young people can access support
The NSPCC is urging families, schools and young people across Northern Ireland to take online safety concerns seriously and seek support early where needed.
Young people can contact Childline free and confidentially on 0800 1111 or visit https://www.childline.org.uk for support.
People can also respond to the Government’s consultation on children’s access to the online world here:
The latest figures underline growing concern that the risks children face online are escalating faster than safeguards designed to protect them — with charities warning the consequences are now being felt daily by vulnerable young people seeking help in crisis.