General · 15 May 2026

Childline sees 36% rise in online sexual blackmail

Children are increasingly facing online blackmail threats involving their sexual images. The NSPCC's Childline service recorded a 36% rise in contacts about online sexual abuse and exploitation last year, driven by blackmail. These threats often involve financial "sextortion" or using AI to create explicit images; 2,444 related sessions occurred by 31 March.

By BriefTea Editorial · 15 May 2026 at 5:05

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