The latest data from the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) reveals a record rise in UK children reporting online sexual extortion, with the Report Remove service now handling an average of nine cases a week. In 2025, the helpline saw a 66% increase in self-reports from under‑18s, confirming 1,175 cases involving harmful imagery — more than a third linked to sexually coerced extortion. Criminals are increasingly exploiting young people’s nude imagery to demand money, further content, or compliance, often using aggressive threats and personal information to create fear and control. Report Remove, run by the IWF in partnership with Childline, allows young people to block or remove nude images of themselves from the internet — even before they are shared. The majority of sextortion cases involved boys aged 14–17, highlighting a growing trend in targeted online abuse. Childline counsellors continue to support children facing blackmail, fear, and isolation. The service remains free, confidential, and available to any young person worried about their imagery being shared online.
IWF is campaigning for an end to use of the phrase ‘child pornography’. There’s #NoSuchThing. It’s child sexual abuse imagery and videos.
The Internet Watch Foundation’s (IWF) newest Member, Nomad Digital, brings the fight against online child sexual abuse images to the railways.
Explore how IWF identifies and addresses non-photographic child sexual abuse imagery, including drawings and CGI, under UK legislation.
A list of known-webpages showing computer-generated imagery (CGI), drawn or animated pictures of children suffering abuse for blocking.
IWF response to the consultation on government paper on their plans to criminalise the possession of non-photographic images of child sexual abuse.
Not all Encryption is the same: social media is not ready for End-to-End Encryption. IWF CTO Dan Sexton explains the differences in the technology behind the debate.