A startling new study from the child protection charity NSPCC has uncovered a hidden epidemic of online blackmail targeting children across the United Kingdom.
The Scale of the Crisis
The survey of more than 2,500 UK parents found that nearly one in 10 reported their own child had been blackmailed online. An even larger number, 21%, said they knew a child who had experienced this digital extortion.
Threats used by criminals range widely, from demanding money to prevent the release of intimate images to leveraging sensitive details about a child's personal life. This alarming data points to a widespread problem affecting families nationwide.
Parental Concerns and Communication Gaps
Despite the clear and present danger, the research uncovered a significant communication gap within families. Two in five parents admitted they rarely or never discuss the subject of online blackmail with their children.
Reasons for this silence are multifaceted. 32% of parents feared their child would overreact, while 25% cited their child's reluctance to talk about such sensitive topics. This communication breakdown leaves young people more vulnerable to exploitation.
Government and Tech Companies Under Fire
A strong sentiment of dissatisfaction emerged regarding those in positions of power. One in three parents felt that both the government and technology companies are failing in their duty to protect children from online blackmail.
Parents perceived that charities and schools were doing far more to prevent harm than the tech giants. One parent voiced a common frustration, stating, "They have no interest whatsoever. As long as they get their money from marketing, that's good enough for them."
Rani Govender, policy manager at the NSPCC, emphasised the urgency: "These findings show the scale of online blackmail that is taking place across the country, yet tech companies continue to fall short... Children deserve to be safe online, and that must be built into the very fabric of these platforms."
The Deadly Reality of Sextortion
The threat is not merely theoretical; it has had tragic, real-world consequences. In March 2025, the National Crime Agency warned that British teenage boys are being increasingly targeted by Nigerian crime gangs. These criminals pose as young women on platforms like Snapchat and Instagram, tricking boys into sending explicit images before demanding payments, often around £100.
While most victims of child sexual exploitation are female, in these sextortion cases, 90% of the victims are boys aged 14 to 17.
Tragically, this form of blackmail has claimed young lives. Dinal De Alwis, a 16-year-old from Sutton in south London, took his own life in October 2022 after a man threatened to send nude images to all his followers. In 2023, another 16-year-old, Murray Downey, died by suicide after being targeted in a sextortion scam on Instagram.
A Call for Action and Conversation
The NSPCC is urging for systemic change to force tech companies to embed safety into their platforms from the outset. However, they also stress the critical role parents can play immediately.
Govender advised, "While we push for systematic change, it's crucial that parents feel equipped to have these difficult conversations with their children. Knowing how to talk about online blackmail in an age-appropriate way and creating an environment where children feel safe to come forward without fear of judgement can make all the difference."
If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch.
