The internet is a ‘playground for paedophiles’ NSPCC warns as number of children seeking help about abuse rises

Statistics from Childline show counselling sessions for youngsters worried about online sexual abuse jumped by 24 per cent in 2015/16

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The internet can be a “playground for paedophiles”, the NSPCC has warned after new figures suggested increasing numbers of children are raising concerns about online abuse and grooming.

Statistics from Childline, a service provided by the charity, show counselling sessions for youngsters worried about online sexual abuse jumped by 24 per cent to 3,716 in 2015/16. Most of those contacting the facility were aged between 12 and 15, and the majority were girls.

The online abuse category covers issues including grooming, sexual harassment and communications, pressure to engage in or view explicit material online and sexual extortion. One in eight of the counselling sessions in 2015/16 were related specifically to grooming – an increase of 21 per cent, the NSPCC said.

The charity's chief executive Peter Wanless said: “Most of us talk to people online and it's a great way to stay connected and make new friends. But it can be a playground for paedophiles, exposing young people to groomers who trawl social networks and online game forums exploiting any vulnerabilities they may find.”

Childline founder Esther Rantzen said the internet has brought many positive changes. “But it has also brought dangers and online grooming is a real risk,” she said. Childine is launching a new campaign titled Listen To Your Selfie which is aimed at helping young people recognise the signs of grooming and unhealthy relationships, both online and offline.

Mr Wanless said: “We hope that by putting this in the spotlight we can help young people to feel able to speak up if they feel worried or scared about a situation or relationship.”

It is unclear if the increase in calls reflects an increase in instances of abuse, or if children are becoming more likely to seek help when such abuse occurs, due to growing awareness about abuse.

The number of people convicted of sexual offences, including child abuse, has soared in recent years. Last year, 6,400 more sex offenders were jailed than in the same period the previous year. Experts say high profile abuse cases such as that of Jimmy Savile's crimes have raised awareness about abuse and encouraged survivors of such crimes to contact authorities.

With additional reporting by Press Association