Children at rising risk of online exploitation

Young people could be at risk of online exploitation as families struggle to afford activities this summer, a children's charity has warned.

The warning comes after polling by Barnardo's found some parents are concerned they will not be able to afford days out and holiday clubs, while children said they would spend more time online during their time off.

The charity says its online poll of 1,191 parents and carers found that 46% said they will struggle to afford family holidays and days out, 26% said they cannot fund activities like childcare and holiday clubs, and 21% will not be able to afford time off work to spend with their children.

Its survey of 729 children aged 11 to 17 found that 71% said they will spend more time online during the holidays and sight per cent said they would meetup with people they have met online.

Some 13% said they already communicate with people online but do not know in person.

Bar na rdo' s chief executive Lynn Perry said: "During the pandemic, we saw a rise in new forms of exploitation – with children increasingly groomed, recruited and exploited over social media.

"With many families struggling to afford the basics, let alone activities for their children during the holidays, some children are particularly at risk this summer.”

Its senior policy adviser for childhood harms, Jess Edwards, said: "It's not a child' s responsibility to identify the presence of exploitation in their lives. Families can look out for physical signs like unexplained injuries, emotional changes or having money or expensive items.”