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.
Explore how ICAP sites use pyramid-style schemes to distribute child sexual abuse material, increasing public exposure and aiding criminal profits.
UK internet service provider Glide is aligning with the Internet Watch Foundation to help eliminate child sexual abuse material online
The report acknowledges the IWF plays a central role in this area, and said the Government needs to provide more clarity about how Ofcom will work with organisations like the IWF.
The Internet Watch Foundation is joining ECLAG coalition partners in a statement urging EU policymakers ‘to not fail children, victims and survivors and adopt ambitious measures to effectively protect children from sexual abuse and grooming.’
The Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) supports an amendment to the Online Safety Bill which will demand the development of new technologies to better detect child sexual abuse material online.
The Government must now act on the Committee’s recommendations to make sure this legislation brings in the strong and effective safeguards we need to keep children safe online.
IWF join ECLAG coalition colleagues outside the EU Parliament in Brussels to highlight the importance of passing the Child Sexual Abuse Regulation.
Last month the UK Protection of children’s Codes came into force, requiring online platforms to prevent children from encountering harm online.
IWF calls for EU Council to agree to Danish compromise on the Child Sexual Abuse Regulation.