A staggering rise in reported instances of online sextortion among UK youth has intensified calls for tech companies to take robust action against this alarming trend. The Report Remove service revealed that in 2025, the number of blackmail attempts targeting under-18s surged by 34%, with young boys aged 14 to 17 making up a shocking 98% of victims.
A Troubling Trend in Online Safety
The Report Remove service, which enables children to flag intimate images or videos of themselves that could potentially surface online, documented 394 reports of blackmail in the past year. This represents a significant increase from the previous year and highlights the growing concerns surrounding child safety in the digital realm.
Sextortion involves manipulative tactics where individuals are coerced into sending explicit images, only to face threats of public exposure unless they comply with demands for money or further intimate content. Tragically, the issue has been linked to the suicides of several teenagers in the UK, including 16-year-old Murray Dowey, whose parents are now suing Meta, the parent company of Instagram and Facebook, for allegedly failing to implement necessary safeguards.
Calls for Action from Tech Giants
The Molly Rose Foundation (MRF), an organisation dedicated to internet safety, has asserted that tech companies must enhance their efforts to combat blackmail and protect vulnerable users. They are urging the government to enforce stricter regulations that would compel social media platforms to implement effective measures against sextortion.
In particular, MRF advocates for the introduction of nudity-detection technology on mobile devices, an idea that has gained traction among various child welfare organisations. The Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) is also vocal in its support for these measures, stressing that if companies do not take proactive steps, the government must intervene to ensure children’s safety online.
The Harrowing Reality of Sextortion
The emotional and psychological toll of sextortion cannot be overstated. Victims often experience a profound sense of shame and fear, as detailed by parents of victims like Murray Dowey. His mother, Ros, expressed her dismay at the latest statistics, stating, “What will it take for social media companies to take responsibility?” Her words underscore a growing frustration that echoes across many families affected by this crisis.
Kerry Smith, the chief executive of the IWF, highlighted the pervasive threat posed by sextortion criminals who “cast their nets wide,” using aggressive and manipulative tactics to ensnare young people. As a result, there is a pressing need for tools that can help disrupt these predatory behaviours before they escalate.
Increased Awareness Among Young People
On a more positive note, the rising numbers also signal a growing awareness among children regarding the risks of sharing intimate images online. Shaun Friel, director of Childline, pointed out that the increase in reports reflects a willingness among young people to seek help and reclaim control over their situations. The Report Remove service has seen a 66% rise in usage by under-18s, with many recognising the importance of reporting such incidents.
However, the reality remains stark. The data indicates that 1,175 out of 1,894 reports in 2025 pertained to explicit imagery classified as child sexual abuse material—a sobering reminder of the scale of the issue.
The Tech Industry’s Response
In response to the growing problem, Google stated its commitment to preventing sextortion and highlighted ongoing efforts to evolve its protective measures based on feedback from victim-survivors and experts. Meanwhile, Apple has maintained its “communication safety” system, which alerts under-18 users when they might be receiving or sending inappropriate content.
Meta has also introduced features aimed at protecting users from such predatory behaviours, employing platforms like Lantern to improve child safety. However, many critics argue that these initiatives are insufficient, particularly in light of the ongoing legal challenges faced by the company.
Jess Phillips, the Minister for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls, has voiced her deep concern over the impact of child sexual abuse and sextortion, stressing the need for urgent reforms to ensure a safer online environment for children.
Why it Matters
The escalating crisis of sextortion among young people is not just a statistic; it represents a profound societal issue that demands immediate attention from policymakers, tech companies, and communities alike. As children navigate an increasingly digital landscape, the responsibility to protect them lies with all of us. The call for enhanced safeguards, better education on online safety, and stricter regulations is not just a plea for change—it is a necessity to safeguard the future of our youth.
