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Safeguarding: Online abuse and exploitation
What is online abuse and exploitation?
There is no doubt that the internet is an amazing environment which enables children and young people to create content, collaborate and communicate with others. Some of the benefits of the internet to children and young people are:
- Education: The internet can be a valuable resource for learning. There are websites and apps that can teach children about a variety of subjects, including maths, science, history, and language arts.
- Communication: The internet can help children and young people to stay in touch with friends and family who live far away. They can also use the internet to make new friends.
- Creativity: The internet can be a fantastic outlet for creativity. Children and young people can use the internet to create art, music, and writing.
- Entertainment: The internet can be a great source of entertainment. There are websites and apps that offer games, videos, and music.
From search engines and navigation tools to social media, the internet is a part of our everyday lives. It is therefore more important than ever to be aware of the risks which children and young people may be exposed to online. The following sections describe some of the specific risks which children and young people may experience online, alongside common scenarios where these risks are increased;
- Online sexual abuse and exploitation
- Nude and Semi-nude image sharing
- Online Pornography
- Online bullying (cyberbullying)
- Harmful online challenges and hoaxes
- Live Streaming
- Online Gaming
Details on where to find further information, advice and support are provided at the end of each section.
The National Guidance for Child Protection in Scotland (updated 2023)
This guidance describes the responsibilities and expectations for all involved in protecting children and will support the care and protection of children.
Getting it right for every child
Getting it right for every child (GIRFEC) is our commitment to provide all children, young people and their families with the right support at the right time. This is so that every child and young person in Scotland can reach their full potential.
Policy actions by the Scottish Government in relation to child sexual abuse, child sexual and criminal exploitation.
This vision represents a shared foundation between the Scottish Government and partners to continue to support the agenda to keep children out of the criminal justice system and promote the use of the Whole System Approach.
It is not necessary to meet a child in real life in order to abuse them. This is also known as Technology-Assisted Child Sexual Abuse. When a child or young person has experienced online abuse, they can be revictimized (experience further abuse) when the abusive content is recorded, uploaded or shared with others online.
Online grooming is where someone befriends a child or young person online and manipulates them by building a relationship with them (and sometimes their wider family) and gains their trust with the intention of abusing them and causing them harm.
The scale of online child sexual abuse and exploitation (OCSAE) was highlighted in a recent study by University of Edinburgh’s Childlight initiative. It estimated that 300 million children a year worldwide were victims of online sexual abuse and exploitation. Police Scotland also recorded a 21% increase in online child sexual abuse and exploitation between 1 April, 2023 and 31 March, 2024.
Any child or young person can be at risk of being groomed and abused online, regardless of age, gender, race or location. Some children may be more at risk due to other vulnerabilities or additional support needs, which may mean that they find accessing support from a trusted adult or using online reporting tools more difficult.
Harm caused by grooming can be sexual abuse, both in person and/or online, and can also involve exploitation to obtain sexually explicit images and videos of the child or young person, or extortion to obtain money to prevent images being shared.
Children and young people can be groomed by a new online contact or “friend” or by someone they know offline, such as a family member, friend or professional. These individuals are skilled in befriending children and young people by appearing to have the same hobbies and interests as them, for example. Using fake accounts and photos, they may also pretend to be the same age as the child, or pretend to be a distant family member or friend of a friend.
Individuals who are grooming a child or young person may try to manipulate, blackmail and control the child, potentially isolating them from their friends and family. This can be done by exploiting vulnerabilities, identifying insecurities or difficulties in relationships with family and friends and then sympathising, flattering and empathising with the child, trying to create a rift between the child and those who they are close to. For teenagers, signs of grooming can often be mistaken for typical teenage behaviours which can make it difficult to recognise, however there may also be other signs such as unexplained changes in behaviour or appearance which are not appropriate for their age.
Advances in the capability and accessibility of generative artificial intelligence tools has led to a number of concerns regarding child sexual abuse and exploitation. For example,
- AI algorithms can manufacture explicit content involving children and young people, leading to entirely fake but lifelike child sexual abuse material.
- AI can enable grooming interactions, and can create and script sexually extortive engagements with children. Often in the case of financially motivated sexual extortion, for example, the initial engagements with young people are generated via AI tools.
- AI-powered tools can create and manipulate images, videos or audio to impersonate individuals, to remove clothing from photographs or to adapt real photographs and recordings.
Sources of further information or support
Learn about online grooming to support children | Internet Matters
MCF and NYPFCC Parent Resource_sp.pdf (mariecollinsfoundation.org.uk)
AI-Generated Child Abuse Sexual Imagery Threatens to “Overwhelm” Internet (iwf.org.uk)
Resources and information for practitioners
Cyber Resilience and Internet Safety – DigiLearn (glowscotland.org.uk)
NWG-MCF-Professionals-Leaflet.pdf (mariecollinsfoundation.org.uk)
Discovery Vs Disclosure_A4_Digital.pdf (mariecollinsfoundation.org.uk)
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Online Safety - SWGfL - UK Safer Internet Centre
When a young person shares a naked or semi-naked image or video of themselves to another person this can be referred to as ‘sharing nudes.’ (It can also be called ‘sexting’.)
Nudes and semi-nudes can be shared by, and between, children and young people under a wide range of circumstances. A child or young person may share the image consensually, however they may also be pressured or coerced into sharing images by their peers or adults online. Once the image has been shared, the young person has no control over what happens to it, or how other people may use it or share it further.
Creating, possessing and/or sharing nudes and semi-nudes of under-18s is illegal, however the legislation is in place to protect children and young people from abuse, rather than to criminalise them.
Although most children and young people aren’t creating or sharing these types of images and videos, there are a number of potential risks for those that do. If the imagery is shared further, it may lead to embarrassment, bullying and increased vulnerability to blackmail and exploitation.
Young people can be targeted by criminals who groom them and persuade them to share images of themselves, which they then use to try to obtain money by threatening to share the explicit images of the child or young person more widely if they do not pay. This is known as financially motivated sexual extortion, and it is known that boys are far more likely to be targeted in this way than girls. In April 2024, the NCA issued an alert to educational establishments across the country due to the growing number of young men becoming victims of this crime.
If a young person has shared a nude or semi-nude image, there are a number of actions that can be taken;
- The image should not be viewed or shared further.
- If content has been published upon social media sites, a report can be made to the site or network hosting the content using the site’s “report abuse” function, highlighting that the image breaks the terms of service and/or community guidelines on the site. If the report fails, practitioners can contact the Professionals Online Safety Helpline - UK Safer Internet Centre to have the report escalated.
- The Report Remove tool provided by Childline and the Internet Watch Foundation allows young people aged between 13 and 18 to report an image or video shared online, to see if it’s possible to get it taken down. Childline will also let the young person know the outcome of their report and provide further support where needed.
- Take It Down (ncmec.org) is a service which helps to remove online nude, partially nude, or sexually explicit photos and videos taken before a young person is 18.
There may be certain circumstances where further action should be taken to protect the child or young person involved. For example;
- Where it is believed that a child or young person may be at immediate risk of harm.
- Where the incident involves an adult.
- Where the image involves a child under the age of 13 and involves sexual acts.
- Where there is reason to believe that a child or young person has been coerced, blackmailed or groomed, or there are concerns about their capacity to consent (for example, if they have additional support needs).
- What is known about the image(s) suggests violent content, or involves sexual acts which are unusual for the young person’s developmental stage
Sources of further information or support
Nude selfies: a parents' guide (ceopeducation.co.uk)
Sharing nudes and semi-nudes | NSPCC
So You Got Naked Online | SWGfL
Supporting young people to report nudes images: Report Remove | NSPCC Learning
Combating Sextortion Webinar | CyberSafeScotland
Resources and information for practitioners
Cyber Resilience and Internet Safety – DigiLearn (glowscotland.org.uk)
Supporting young people to report nudes images: Report Remove | NSPCC Learning
Online blackmail education resource for 15-18 year olds (ceopeducation.co.uk)
As technology has become more accessible, an increasing number of children and young people are encountering explicit content online, often unintentionally, but also through natural curiosity. A study by the British Board of Film Classification in 2019 found that whilst over half of the 11-13 yr olds surveyed had seen pornography online, some children as young as seven or eight had encountered pornography while browsing the internet. In addition to internet browsing, young people can also be exposed to adult content on social media platforms, often bypassing age restrictions which may be in place.
The use of online sexual material can be very exciting to young people, and they can find themselves increasingly compelled/hooked on accessing it. However they can also be unaware of the risks, and of the negative impact to themselves and others of exposure to this type of content.
For example, children and young people who watch online pornography or sexually explicit content may develop unrealistic attitudes about sex and consent, leading to negative attitudes about roles and identities which may impact upon their own behaviour towards others within relationships. Additionally, exposure to such content can have a negative impact upon mental health, and create unrealistic expectations related to body image and performance.
Sources of further information or support
What to do if your child has seen something inappropriate online. (ceopeducation.co.uk)
What's the Problem? Stop it Now advice
Resources for practitioners
Online challenges encourage individuals to take part in activities which can either have a positive or negative impact. Whilst some challenges raise awareness and may encourage unity towards a particular cause, harmful online challenges aim to encourage or entice people to take part in dangerous activities, and children have been hurt or even lost their lives as a result of participating.
Harmful online hoaxes are deliberate lies which are misleading or hurtful but are designed to appear truthful.
Often the online challenges or hoaxes might seem to be interesting or exciting and this can attract children and young people to want to take part, or to seek out more information or content. In reality, they are encouraging children and young people to do something that is not safe, or are creating anxiety and hysteria over something that is not actually real.
Harmful online challenges and hoaxes are often spread via social media and/or messaging apps, often inspiring or daring others, including children and young
people, to participate or share. When children and young people encounter these online challenges and hoaxes, they might be tempted to do or share things out of curiosity, or to impress their friends, or to feel part of a community. The content can spread very quickly and reach large audiences, leading to anxiety and panic, sometimes resulting in harm.
Sources of further information and support
Fake news, hoaxes and misinformation | NSPCC
Online Challenges - UK Safer Internet Centre
Social media challenges: Hoax online challenges and what to do about them - Own It - BBC
Online challenges - advice for parents - UK Safer Internet Centre
Resources and information for practitioners
Harmful online challenges and online hoaxes (ceopeducation.co.uk)
Advice for schools on responding to online challenges - UK Safer Internet Centre
Live streaming is a type of streaming where a child or young person broadcasts themselves live to an audience over the internet. They can also watch, create and share videos in real time over any internet enabled device. This can take place via social media apps such as TikTok, Instagram Live or YouTube Live, or via a platform such as Twitch which is popular with users who livestream themselves playing video games.
Livestreaming is different to video conferencing because is public and can be viewed by hundreds or even thousands of people as it is happening. Viewers can interact with the presenter by posting comments, messages or emojis that appear alongside the live recording. This differs to a video conference on a platform such as Zoom or Microsoft Teams because during those sessions, the attendance is restricted to those who have been specifically invited using an invitation link or a password.
Although livestreaming is appealing to children and young people because it can help to improve confidence and communication, allow them to create and present content whilst engaging with other people, and also connect with others who share similar hobbies and interests, there are also a number of concerns that practitioners, parents and carers should be aware of.
- Live broadcasts are unpredictable, and because they are happening in real time, viewers can’t be sure what they will see. Children and young people may be exposed to inappropriate content when viewing the livestreams of others. This could include violent, sexual or age-inappropriate content.
- Because livestreaming is happening in real time, children and young people may feel pressurised into certain behaviours or actions to please the audience and make sure that people continue to watch. Positive comments and compliments can also make children feel good, and they can be tricked into doing things to please others or by the threat of losing their followers
- Children and young people are often more confident when engaging online as they can feel ‘protected’ by the screen. This could result in them doing or saying something that they wouldn’t normally consider offline.
- Children and young people can act upon impulse with no time for reflection to consider the impact of their actions.
- Anything that a child or young person says or does during a livestream can be recorded by viewers and shared more widely without the creator’s permission.
- Anyone can comment or react to a public livestream as it is happening. This may result in negative feedback, offensive or inappropriate comments being posted by viewers.
- A child or young person may share too much personal information, either accidentally or whilst being encouraged to do so by audience members.
Sources of further information or support
A short guide to live streaming (ceopeducation.co.uk)
Livestreaming and online video apps | NSPCC
Livestreaming - UK Safer Internet Centre
Resources and information for practitioners
Cyber Resilience and Internet Safety – DigiLearn (glowscotland.org.uk)
Online gaming is any video game that offers the opportunity to interact and engage with others via the internet, and it is one of the most popular online activities for children and young people. It can be a fun and sociable way for them to spend time developing a variety of skills including teamwork, creativity and collaboration. It can also bring a sense of community, and a feeling of escape from the real world.
Although there can be many positive benefits to gaming online, there are also a number of things that teachers, parents and carers should be aware of when considering how to best to support and protect children and young people:
- Many games have multi-player options which give players the opportunity to engage with each other via a headset and microphone, whilst gaming platforms also have ways in which players can interact with each other. This can enable other gamers to ask children to add them as a friend during a game, even if they have never communicated with them before.
- Gaming environments may allow children to engage with players of any age from anywhere in the world. This could lead to them being exposed to offensive language, inappropriate content or bullying behaviour.
- Not all players are who they say they are, and children and young people can be misled or drawn into risky situations by others who would seek to hurt or exploit them.
- Children and young people can be encouraged to spend money within online games, purchasing items costumes or features for their gaming characters. They can also spend large amounts of money on items such as “loot boxes” or “prize crates.” These are different to other gaming items because the contents are only revealed once the money has been paid, therefore the player gambles upon receiving the items that they want or need from the box. Children and young people can run up huge bills without realising how much they have spent within the game.
- Online games are designed to encourage participation, and children and young people can have long periods of screen time, which may impact upon other areas of their lives if they are not encouraged to develop healthy boundaries and take breaks in their play to move around and participate in other activities.
- Online games are classified via PEGI ratings which are designed to help parents and carers make informed decisions when buying games for their child. Contrary to the belief of many adults, the PEGI rating does not describe the level of difficulty of the game, rather it indicates the age suitability. Where children and young people are playing games which have a PEGI rating that is above their own age, they will be exposed to content that is unsuitable and which may be distressing, or to themes which are inappropriate for their age.
Sources of further information or support
Gaming - UK Safer Internet Centre
Gaming Advice Hub - Internet Matters
Online Gaming: An introduction for parents and carers | Childnet
Play Interland - Be Internet Legends
Topic - Online Safety and Gaming | SWGfL
Resources and information for practitioners
Cyber Resilience and Internet Safety – DigiLearn (glowscotland.org.uk)
Staff have a responsibility to follow local child protection procedures for reporting and sharing concerns around any form of child abuse.
Within education, there is a key focus on safeguarding and child protection. All school and early years establishments are supported to evaluate and improve their practice in relation to safeguarding and child protection through How good is our school? (fourth edition) and How good is our early learning and childcare?
Education practitioners should also work with key community partners and agencies to understand these complex issues and to develop confidence in responding to any concerns they have.
Contact Police Scotland - Always dial 999 if there is a concern that a child or young person is at immediate risk of harm.
CEOP Safety Centre can be used to report online sexual abuse or where there are concerns about online communications with a child or young person.
Report online child sexual abuse imagery - This can be used to report illegal online content.
Report Remove help young people under 18 in the UK to confidentially report sexual images and videos of themselves and remove them from the internet.
Take It Down (ncmec.org) is a service which helps to help remove online nude, partially nude, or sexually explicit photos and videos taken before the age of 18. It can also help to prevent images being shared.
Professionals Online Safety Helpline is a free helpline supporting professionals working with or for children in the UK, with any online safety issues they, or children and young people in their care, may face.
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