Online child sexual abuse
If you’ve experienced or are worried about online child sexual abuse, read our advice and learn how to get support. You can also report it to us
What online child sexual abuse is
Child sexual abuse does not always involve physical contact. It can also take place online.
Where it can happen
Places this can happen include:
- Messaging and chat applications
- encrypted platforms (such as Signal)
- social media sites
- gaming platforms
- virtual reality and metaverse platforms
- media and livestreaming services (such as YouTube or Twitch)
- cloud storage and file sharing sites
It can be done through:
- mobile phones
- tablets
- computers
- games consoles
- VR headsets
- smart devices and smart TVs
- wearable technology
- any device with a camera and internet connection
Examples of online sexual abuse
When being sexually abused online, young people may be forced to:
- share personal information
- have sexual conversations
- take or send intimate images or videos of themselves
- take part in sexual activities through a webcam or phone
- meet the offender in-person
- involve other children (sometimes through peer pressure or manipulation)
- keep secrets or hide what’s happening from family, carers, and friends
They may be forced to do what the offender says because they are:
- scared of what might happen
- groomed
- manipulated
- threatened
- blackmailed
Abusers might also threaten to send images, videos, or screenshots to the young person’s friends and family if they try to stop the abuse.
The young person might experience online grooming before any sexual abuse happens. The whole incident might take place online.
How to report online child sexual abuse
Report to us
If you want to tell us about child abuse, you can report it online, by phone, or in person.
Call 999 now if:
- someone’s in danger
- you need help now
- a serious incident is happening or about to happen
Report it using our online form
Learn about other ways you can report a crime to us
Report to other organisations
You can also report child abuse to other organisations:
- Crimestoppers: call 0800 555 111
- Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP)
What to do if online sexual abuse happens
If you or someone you know has experienced online sexual abuse, report it to us.
This type of abuse can be connected to other crimes. You can read our advice on:
Get support from other organisations
Support for children and young people
You can get support from other organisations:
- Childline for a free, confidential helpline for any problem (phone: 0800 1111)
- Barnardos supports young people and parents with any kind of problem
Support for parents
You can get support from other organisations:
- Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP) lets you report online abuse and has advisors that can help young people
- NSPCC for a free, confidential 24-hour helpline for any kind of problem (phone: 0808 800 5000)
- Children First has advice and support for children and families in Scotland (phone: 0800 028 2233)
- ParentLine Scotland for free support for anyone caring for or concerned about a child (phone: 0800 028 2233)
- Barnardos supports young people and parents with any kind of problem
- Parent Club helps parents in Scotland support their children