As new data shows EU servers are being targeted by criminals to host this imagery, EU legislators must pass vital new legislation to get a grip on the worsening situation and prevent the abuse of EU servers by criminals profiting off child sexual abuse imagery, writes Susie Hargreaves.
The Internet Watch Foundation welcomes the Government’s commitment to ‘upgrade’ a database in a bid to tackle online child sexual abuse material.
The latest data from the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) reveals a record rise in UK children reporting online sexual extortion, with the Report Remove service now handling an average of nine cases a week. In 2025, the helpline saw a 66% increase in self-reports from under‑18s, confirming 1,175 cases involving harmful imagery — more than a third linked to sexually coerced extortion. Criminals are increasingly exploiting young people’s nude imagery to demand money, further content, or compliance, often using aggressive threats and personal information to create fear and control. Report Remove, run by the IWF in partnership with Childline, allows young people to block or remove nude images of themselves from the internet — even before they are shared. The majority of sextortion cases involved boys aged 14–17, highlighting a growing trend in targeted online abuse. Childline counsellors continue to support children facing blackmail, fear, and isolation. The service remains free, confidential, and available to any young person worried about their imagery being shared online.
A new national campaign features suggestive images of fruit, while radio ads feature Cunk on Earth star Diane Morgan.
Global hotel chain Marriott International has joined the Internet Watch Foundation in the fight to stop child sexual abuse material online.
Smart Axiata partners with the Internet Watch Foundation to block child sexual abuse content, enhancing online safety and protecting over 7.5 million users from harmful and illegal material.
Explore how IWF confronts the rise of AI-generated child sexual abuse material, highlighting emerging threats and efforts to protect children online.
Discover how end-to-end encryption works & why upload prevention is key to preventing the spread of child sexual abuse imagery and protecting privacy.