The NSPCC has revealed that social media platforms were mentioned thousands of times in Childline counselling sessions, with TikTok topping the list. The charity warned that children are being exposed to “a devastating range of harms” online.
In the 12 months to March, more than 5,500 mentions of platforms and apps were recorded in counselling sessions. TikTok was mentioned 1,781 times, a rise of 37% from the previous year, followed by Snapchat (1,106), Instagram (569), Roblox (550), and YouTube (530).
First breakdown of platform mentions
This is the first time the charity has provided a breakdown of the most-referenced platforms in child counselling sessions. While some mentions were positive, such as using apps to relax or manage emotions, most were negative or related to experiences of harm, including mental health issues, online sexual abuse, online bullying, and suicidal thoughts.
The NSPCC noted that a platform might be mentioned multiple times in a session, so the figures do not represent the number of children. In total, Childline delivered 171,320 counselling sessions to under-18s, with around 4,321 relating to online harms.
Calls for robust age checks
Almost half of those referencing TikTok were aged 15 or younger, highlighting the need for “robust” age checks when the proposed social media ban for under-16s takes effect next year. Ofcom has launched an investigation into TikTok over children's exposure to harmful content, questioning whether its “age inference” method is adequate.
TikTok has insisted it is “confident that we meet our Online Safety Act obligations.” A spokesperson said: “Teen accounts on TikTok have more than 50 pre-set privacy and safety features from the moment they join, and we use the latest technology to monitor and remove any content that attempts to exploit or harm young people.”
Chris Sherwood, NSPCC chief executive, said: “It’s concerning but unsurprising to see how many children are coming to Childline to speak about social media platforms and TikTok in particular. Tech giants should treat this as yet further evidence of their failures to give children safe and healthy experiences online.”
