Snapchat and Instagram grooming becoming 'easier'
Summary
Experts and police warn that children as young as five are increasingly targeted for grooming on social media and gaming platforms like Snapchat, TikTok, and Instagram. The number of online sexual abuse cases involving children has risen sharply, with authorities urging parents to talk to their children and encourage open communication about online safety.Key Facts
- Snapchat, TikTok, and Instagram are the top platforms where children report online sexual abuse.
- Children as young as five can be targeted by groomers through social media, gaming, and messaging apps.
- Sexual communication crimes involving children in the South West of England have more than doubled over seven years.
- Avon and Somerset Police recorded 300 such crimes in 2024/25, while Gloucestershire and Wiltshire police recorded 96 and 61 respectively.
- A case in Bristol led to a man named Suleman Aqeel being jailed for 17 years for grooming and abusing young girls via social media.
- The NSPCC reports a 19% increase in counselling sessions mentioning Snapchat for online abuse between April 2025 and March 2026.
- The Internet Watch Foundation sees a rise in young people contacting their helpline about fears of sexual images being shared online, highlighting the growing problem of sextortion (blackmail using sexual images).
- Police and experts advise parents not to punish children for sharing images but to create a trusting environment where children feel safe to talk.
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