Published: Tue 7 Apr 2026
A record number of British under 18s have reported being victims of internet “sextortion” as helpline says it’s dealing with nine reports a week from those who have been targeted.
New data released today (April 7) shows the number of reports from young people seeking help from the UK’s Report Remove helpline has risen 66% in a year.
In 2025, Report Remove received 1,894 reports from children and young people reporting nude or sexual imagery of themselves. Analysts were able to confirm the presence of child sexual abuse imagery on 1,175 of these reports.
The data shows more than a third of the confirmed reports involved some sort of sexually coerced extortion, commonly known as sextortion, prompting warnings that criminals are exploiting young people’s imagery to extort money or further abuse.
The imagery used to extort victims is often overlaid with text threatening to expose the nude imagery; serious criminal accusations; and sometimes the child's personal information. The overall effect on the victim feels terrifying.
Report Remove is a world-first service which launched in 2021.
It allows children and young people in the UK to self-report nude or sexual imagery of themselves which may have got out of control online. IWF analysts will work to assess whether the imagery can be blocked and removed from the internet.
Crucially, it also allows nude imagery to be pre-emptively blocked from being shared on the open web, even before criminals have had a chance to do so.
This makes it a powerful tool for young people facing extortion threats, allowing them to regain control and neutralise the threat if a criminal says they will share imagery online or with a victim’s contacts unless they comply.
Today’s data shows:
Kerry Smith, Chief Executive of the IWF, said: “These shocking numbers are just the tip of the iceberg. The true impact of these crimes is difficult to fathom, but it is clear to us that the threat, far from diminishing, is growing.
“Criminals are casting their nets wide and are able to corner young people with the most violent and terrifying threats. They employ emotional manipulation and use intimidating, aggressive language and threats that escalate rapidly after nudes are taken.
“Victims are told to send money or gift cards, or risk having their images distributed to family members, friends, schools or posted publicly online. I want young people to know it is never their fault and help is out there. Report Remove is a lifeline.”
Shaun Friel, Director of Childline, said: “The rise is contacts to Report Remove about sextortion leaves us with mixed feelings.
“Obviously, it is worrying to see further evidence of how serious a problem this now is, but at the same time it is positive that there is greater awareness about the service and children are more willing to get in touch and seek help.
“Our counsellors hear from young people who are being blackmailed into sharing videos of themselves, as well as being threatened that their intimate images might be shared with friends, family or their school unless they pay money or send more content. For many, the fear and isolation can feel overwhelming, and they often struggle to tell a trusted adult about what’s happening.
“Report Remove gives young people a way to take back control, helping to block or remove harmful content, while also providing confidential emotional support during what can be an incredibly distressing experience.”
The confidential, free service can be used by any child or young person in the UK. IWF analysts will work to have nude or sexual imagery of children taken down from the internet, and Childline teams will be on hand if the young person wants help or counselling.
The service is not limited to cases where there is an element of sextortion, and can be used by any child or young person in the UK who is worried about nude or sexual imagery of themselves being shared on the internet.
Immaterialism will be among the first registrars to receive the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF)’s dedicated Registrar Alerts.
Government pledges to use ‘full power of the British state’ to crack down on child sexual abuse as commercial sites profiting from exploiting children double in a year.
More child sexual abuse webpages are hosted in the EU than anywhere else in the world, according to new data released today by the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF).