The NSPCC has revealed the top 5 digital platforms and apps linked to online child sexual abuse as the government’s deadline for tech firms to introduce specific safety measures for children expired.
The NSPCC says that data from Childline counselling sessions shows which platforms children referred to most often when speaking about online sexual abuse last year.
The charity counselling service for children and young people delivered almost 900 sessions about online child sexual abuse during 2025-26.
Big tech failed to act quickly to protect children from online child sexual abuse
The NSPCC is sounding the alarm about the platforms and apps that carry risk of harm for children after tech companies’ “failure to act quickly to protect children from harm.”
The UK government had called on big tech companies like Apple and Google to introduce nudity blocking technology on all smartphones and tablets used by children, setting a deadline for this safeguard to be implemented by 8th September 2026.
With this deadline now expired, and no such safety measures in place, the leading children’s charity says it is urging the government “to act strongly and create laws to protect all children.”
Between 1st April 2026 and 31st March 2026, the following digital platforms were mentioned the most when children and young people spoke about their experiences of online sexual abuse:
- Snapchat – mentioned in 324 counselling sessions
- TikTok – 234 mentions
- Instagram – 197 mentions
- Discord – 92 mentions
- WhatsApp – 39 mentions
The NSPCC added that data shows that online child sexual abuse was the most discussed concern in Childline counselling sessions where Snapchat and Instagram were also mentioned for the last 3 years.
NSPCC frustrated by ‘slow pace of change’ to address online child sexual abuse
The charity explains that the government’s calls for nudity-blocking technology were important because serious online harms like grooming, sexual extortion and online child sexual abuse often start with the sharing of a single semi-nude or nude image. If these images are prevented from being created, shared or viewed in the first place, many online child sexual abuse crimes may be prevented, and countless children protected from devastating experiences.
Tech companies were given three months to act, but the NSPCC says it is “frustrated by the slow pace of change to fix an issue that’s affecting children and young people every single day.”
They want the government to follow through on their pledge to protect children and young people by introducing legislation so that strong protections are in place.
The charity adds:
“We believe new legal safeguards on devices are particularly important as those committing the crimes often harm children across a range of online spaces, including private messaging services and gaming platforms which aren’t covered by the upcoming social media ban.”
They have previously revealed the top 10 digital apps and platforms that children and young people mentioned in all Childline counselling sessions last year.
These platforms were mentioned over 5,500 times, and 15% of sessions related to online child sexual abuse as the main concern.
Government must ‘crack down’ on online child sexual abuse
The Chief Executive of the NSPCC, Chris Sherwood, said it was “deeply disturbing” that in just 12 months, hundreds of children had disclosed experiences of online sexual abuse linked to popular apps used by young people every day.
He added:
“These crimes are highly distressing for victims, often leaving children and their families to deal with devastating lifelong impacts.
“They can’t continue to bear the brunt of tech companies’ inaction and excuses. Apple and Google needed to urgently introduce these protections to ensure online sexual abuse is disrupted and prevented on children’s devices.
“Now the deadline is up, government must crack down and legislate. Only they can compel services to make these vital changes that children so desperately need.”
Childline is also available 24/7 for children and young people who need someone to speak to, with a free to call 0800 1111 phone number and an online counsellor chat service.
Training to protect children and young people
First Response Training (FRT) is a leading national training provider delivering courses in subjects such as health and safety, first aid, fire safety, manual handling, food hygiene, mental health, health and social care, safeguarding and more.
They work with a large number of early years, schools and childcare providers, as well as colleges, youth groups and children’s services. Their courses include Safeguarding Children.
A trainer from FRT says:
“Safeguarding children means protecting them off and online and being aware of new apps, platforms and developing technologies and how children may be interacting with these, and how they intersect with issues of child safety and protection.
“It’s so important that we are mindful of the harms children and young people are exposed to when they use technology and that there are mechanisms in place to protect them, and to offer them help and support when they need it most. Children who are anxious about technology and things they have seen or experienced online need to feel they have a safe space where they can talk about their worries and experiences.
“It’s vital that anyone who works with children and young people is aware of their responsibility for safeguarding children and that they can recognise the signs that indicate a child may be experiencing abuse, including online grooming, harassment or sextortion, and know the correct action to take in response.”
For more information on the training that FRT can provide, please call them today on freephone 0800 310 2300 or send an e-mail to info@firstresponsetraining.com.