Quickly exit this site by pressing the Escape key Leave this site
We use some essential cookies to make our website work. We’d like to set additional cookies so we can remember your preferences and understand how you use our site.
You can manage your preferences and cookie settings at any time by clicking on “Customise Cookies” below. For more information on how we use cookies, please see our Cookies notice.
Your cookie preferences have been saved. You can update your cookie settings at any time on the cookies page.
Your cookie preferences have been saved. You can update your cookie settings at any time on the cookies page.
Sorry, there was a technical problem. Please try again.
This site is a beta, which means it's a work in progress and we'll be adding more to it over the next few weeks. Your feedback helps us make things better, so please let us know what you think.
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.
For more information about online safety see our GetSafeOnline campaign.
‘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.