NSPCC Highlights Sharp Rise in Online Grooming Crimes and Urges Action

The NSPCC has published a stark warning following the release of new data on online grooming offences involving children across the UK. Figures obtained from 45 UK police forces reveal that in 2023/24, there were 7,062 recorded offences of sexual communication with a child — marking an alarming 89% increase compared to 2017/18.
Dec 3
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The data further highlights that Snapchat was the most commonly used platform, accounting for 48% of offences where the method of communication was identified. Worryingly, 81% of recorded grooming cases involved girls, underlining the persistent gendered nature of online abuse.

In response to these findings, the NSPCC is calling on Ofcom to urgently strengthen regulatory requirements for technology companies. The charity is demanding that social media platforms take proactive steps to prevent abuse, rather than waiting to respond once harm has already occurred. This includes ensuring platforms are held accountable for the safety of children using their services.

The NSPCC is also urging the UK Government to go further in legislating to disrupt child sexual abuse in private messaging services, including encrypted apps like Snapchat and WhatsApp, where offenders often operate undetected.

At Open Social Care, we share the NSPCC’s deep concern about the scale and persistence of online grooming. These figures are not just numbers — they represent thousands of children whose safety, trust, and wellbeing have been violated in spaces that should be safe.

We encourage all professionals working with children and young people to familiarise themselves with the risks associated with online platforms, to engage in open conversations with young people about online safety, and to advocate for stronger protections at both platform and policy level. Safeguarding must extend to the digital world, and it is vital that the systems designed to protect children keep pace with the technology they use every day.

To read the full story and explore NSPCC’s recommendations, visit the NSPCC website.

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