UK sees record rise in sextortion of minors, government to mandate device safeguards

British authorities have documented a record number of sextortion incidents targeting under-18s, with 462 confirmed reports of child sexual abuse imagery in the first six months of the year, marking a 17% rise from the previous year. Almost all confirmed cases involve boys, and perpetrators typically obtain self-produced images before threatening to release them unless victims comply with financial or other demands. The abuse has been linked to extreme distress and, in some instances, suicide among young people.

The Report Remove helpline, operated by the Internet Watch Foundation and Childline, has seen reports climb sharply since its launch in 2021. In response, the Culture Secretary said the government will introduce legislation obligating major platforms such as Google and Apple to implement device-level protections that block the creation, sharing, or viewing of nude images by children. Child-safety leaders from the IWF and NSPCC have welcomed the move but warned that immediate implementation is essential to halt the growing threat.