December 2025

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Safeguarding and Wellbeing Information

As many as 2 in 5 parents admit that they rarely or never talk to their children about the dangers of online blackmail.

A survey commissioned by the NSPCC has found that 1 in 5 parents know a child who has been blackmailed online, while 1 in 10 say their own child has been targeted.

Online blackmail is when someone threatens to reveal things about a child online if the child does not do what is demanded of them.

Cases often include third parties using intimate images or videos of a young person or information about their sexuality gained from private online conversations to threaten, coerce or exploit them.

Recent figures from the Internet Watch Foundation show that the issue is growing, with 175 actionable reports investigated last year.

Blackmailers often use private messaging platforms to send their threats to children and will often try to move conversations into end-to-end encrypted spaces after starting them on open platforms.

The NSPCC warns that online blackmail can have significant lasting consequences for young victims. It has been linked to self-harm, eating disorders, suicidal feelings, and suicide among children and young people.

And yet despite this, the charity’s findings show that many parents have difficulty broaching the subject.

Parents in the survey said this was often due to fears of overreacting or scaring a child (32%), their child's current mood or feelings (29%), and their child's reluctance to talk about sensitive topics (25%).

The survey involved 2,558 adults living in the UK and found that 21% know a child who has been blackmailed online and 19% have supported a child who has been a victim of online blackmail; 9% said their own child had been blackmailed online.

Nellie is an NSPCC Lived Experience Advocate who was the victim of online blackmail when she was 15-years-old.

She said: “My ex-boyfriend leaked intimate images of me online. The impact was devastating; I received loads of online abuse and horrible messages, and someone I didn’t know even added me on Snapchat and sent me one of the photos – they tried to use it to blackmail me into sending more.

“I eventually contacted Childline who helped me find Child Exploitation and Online Protection resources and when I reported what had happened to me, my parents were informed and we were able to take it to the police to be investigated.

“Speaking out helped set me on my journey to recovery, and the fact my parents spoke to me about what I was going through really helped even though they didn’t have all the answers.”

The NSPCC has urged any concerned parents to call its helpline for adults and has issued advice for parents to help them address the issue with their children. This includes:

1. Start conversations early and keep them age-appropriate: Talk to children about online safety from a young age, using language and examples they can understand. Make these discussions part of regular conversations rather than a one-off "talk".

2. Create a judgement-free environment: Reassure your child that they can come to you with any concerns without fear of punishment or having their devices taken away. Emphasise that if something goes wrong online, it's not their fault.

3. Focus on scenarios, not scare tactics: Instead of frightening children, help them understand what online blackmail might look like and what to do if they're approached. Use "what if" questions to encourage them to think through situations.

4. Discuss privacy and sharing online: Help children understand that once something is shared online, they lose control over it. Talk about the importance of keeping personal information and images private, and the risks of sharing with people they don't know well.

5. Make sure they know how to get help: Ensure your child knows they can talk to you, another trusted adult, or organisations like Childline if they're worried. Explain that blocking, reporting, and screenshotting evidence are important steps if they experience online blackmail.

Rani Govender, policy manager at the NSPCC said: "These findings show the scale of online blackmail that is taking place across the country, yet tech companies continue to fall short in their duty to protect children.

“Children deserve to be safe online, and that must be built into the very fabric of these platforms, not bolted on after harm has already been done. 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.”

• Any adults concerned about a child’s safety or wellbeing can contact the NSPCC Helpline at help@nspcc.org.uk or by calling 0808 800 5000.

• Children can contact Childline on 0800 1111 or childline.org.uk. Young people can also access the Report Remove tool that works to remove indecent images and videos shared online.

• NSPCC: A collective concern: parent and carer views on the online blackmail of children and young people, November 2025: https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/research-resources/2025/parent-carer-views-online-blackmail-children-young-people

With the end of the school term and Christmas approaching, it is important to remind students of the support they can access during their time off. Mental health matters all year round, and at Kooth we provide that immediate support right at their fingertips.
Kooth offers free, safe, and anonymous mental health support for all young people aged 11-18 in Buckinghamshire. It’s a space where they can share experiences, read helpful articles, and connect with qualified professionals—all online.

Learn more HERE or signpost students to support at: www.kooth.com. Here is a short festive video for your students showing how they can access Kooth over the winter break.

Here I have linked all of our digital resources to share with students and parents/carers.

Kooth Resources - Signposting videos, case studies & guides

Kooth. Wellbeing Activity Sheets

Kooth. Parent & Carer resources

Kooth - Here for you over winter 

Kooth Winter Opening Hours

We also have our KoothKlass Webinars for students, and KoothTalks Webinars for professionals available to join throughout the year. You can find more information about the topics we cover and how to join through clicking the links. 

Survey Reports and Findings

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