Newly released figures reveal that Snapchat is currently the most used platform for online grooming in the UK, according to data provided by 45 UK police forces and analyzed by the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC). The statistics show an alarming increase in grooming incidents, with 7,062 cases of “sexual communication with a child” offences recorded in 2023-24—a staggering 89% rise since 2017-18, when this specific offence was first classified.
The NSPCC report found that almost half of grooming cases where the platform was known—totaling 1,824 cases—were linked to Snapchat. Meta-owned platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram were also noted as frequent mediums for such offences, accounting for 12%, 12%, and 6% of cases, respectively.
This data points to the risks associated with popular social media and messaging platforms where children are increasingly vulnerable to online predators. Snapchat’s features, including disappearing messages and real-time location sharing, have been identified by experts as factors that may inadvertently facilitate harmful activities by making it easier for perpetrators to conceal inappropriate communications.
Ella*, a 13-year-old from Glasgow, shared her concerns, stating, “Snapchat has disappearing messages, and that makes it easier for people to hide things they shouldn’t be doing.” She highlighted additional risks, such as Snapchat’s location-sharing feature, which she explained could expose young users to strangers if not managed carefully.
For Thomas*, a victim of online grooming at the age of 14, the trauma lingered even after he blocked the offender. He recounted his experience, saying, “Our first conversation was quite simple... After about a month, the pressure started to build.” Eventually, Thomas was threatened with exposure if he refused to comply with demands for explicit images, underscoring the psychological toll these experiences can have on young individuals.
Sir Peter Wanless, CEO of the NSPCC, has called on Ofcom and the government to adopt stricter regulations under the Online Safety Act to better protect children. Despite the act being in force for a year, Wanless stressed that tech companies must adopt ambitious measures to curb the risk of child exploitation on their platforms.
Wanless stated, “One year since the Online Safety Act became law and we are still waiting for tech companies to make their platforms safe for children.” He urged the government to strengthen Ofcom’s enforcement powers, particularly around monitoring and addressing grooming activities across social media apps, messaging platforms, and gaming chatrooms.
Jess Phillips, the UK Minister for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls, condemned the persistence of online grooming. She stated, “Child sexual abuse is a vile crime that inflicts long-lasting trauma on victims… the creation, possession, and distribution of child sexual abuse images, and grooming a child is illegal.”
Ofcom has announced that, starting in December, tech companies will face new obligations under the Online Safety Act. These include implementing robust practices to prevent and detect grooming activities, with possible penalties for non-compliance. An Ofcom spokesperson emphasized, “We’re prepared to use the full extent of our enforcement powers against any companies that come up short.”
In response, Snapchat representatives affirmed their commitment to child safety, saying, “We have zero tolerance for sexual exploitation on Snapchat… We have extra protections including in-app warnings and our Family Centre, which lets parents see who their teens are talking to.” Snapchat has also implemented tools to flag inappropriate content and accounts to authorities, aiming to prevent further instances of exploitation.
The statistics highlight an urgent need for collective action among tech companies, regulatory bodies, and communities to safeguard young users online. With eight out of ten grooming victims identified as girls, and cases involving children as young as five, the focus on strengthening child protection measures is more critical than ever.
As Snapchat and other platforms face scrutiny over rising grooming cases, social media companies are under pressure to enhance their safety protocols and features. Both Ofcom and the government are expected to closely monitor tech companies to ensure they prioritize child safety and compliance under the updated Online Safety Act.
Ensuring a secure digital space for young users will require stronger partnerships between platforms, authorities, and parents, alongside clear guidelines that reinforce children’s safety in the online environment.