Childline: grooming of children on TikTok and Instagram is 'quicker and easier'

UK experts and police warn that online grooming of children has become "quicker" and "easier", with victims as young as five. Childline said Snapchat (324 sessions), TikTok (234) and Instagram (197) were the platforms most named in counselling about online sexual abuse.

• Snapchat was named in 324 Childline sessions, TikTok in 234 and Instagram in 197
• Sexual communication offences involving children in the South West rose to 756 in 2024/25
• Police say children as young as five can be targeted by groomers
• The UK's under-16 social media ban is due to come into force in 2027