Online child abuse reaches critical level with 1,000 arrests monthly

Efforts to protect children from online abuse have reached a critical level, according to the UK’s child sexual exploitation agency (CSA), which warns tech companies could do more to tackle the growing problem.

Rob Jones, director of general operations at the National Crime Agency (NCA), said “the threat is getting worse” due to children’s increasing dependence on the internet, giving them greater online access.

He also suggested that offenders’ behavior can be inadvertently rationalized, normalized and radicalized by online groups that encourage others to harm children. Moreover, algorithms direct criminals to places where they can find like-minded people.

Mr Jones added: “Over the past three years the amount of material and tips we have received from our colleagues at the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) has roughly doubled.

“A few years ago we were dealing with around 500-800 arrests, now we are dealing with 1,000 arrests and 1,200 (child) protection measures every month.

“Maintaining this means a 24/7 effort from the NCA and its colleagues across the force, and that gives you an idea of ​​how big the threat has become.”

Mr Jones said criminals were collaboratively coordinating their activities on the dark web and using the open web as a “reconnaissance platform to identify and exploit vulnerable children”.

He described the situation as “incredibly damaging” and added: “We want society to step back and for people to confront their crimes, which is the exact opposite of what happens in the online world.

“Because of the way algorithms bring like-minded people together and the way people work, they will be told that what they are doing is normal.

“You will see almost a radicalization process where they will be rationalized and then their behavior will be encouraged and everything they have been told throughout their life that wrong (behavior) is (now) the opposite.”

In a single week in January, the NCA and forces across the UK made 252 arrests; of these, 118 were later charged, 35 people were convicted in court, and 407 children were placed in protective custody.

Officials say this level of activity now occurs every week.

Many of the safeguards implemented to protect children were triggered by activity detected through social media.

Mr Jones said: “These are mainstream platforms. They are not niche, dark web or shadowy areas of the internet.

“This is the regulated environment that should be the most secure part of the system.”

Authorities say the threat has diversified and criminals have been seen carrying out child sexual abuse live on demand for as little as £20.

Financially motivated sexual extortion (FMSE), particularly of young boys, is on the rise.

There is also a trend towards seriously damaging online “communities”, known as “Communication groups”, where members increasingly share and promote sadistic material.

Saying that such groups cause users to become radicalized, Mr Jones said: “Some of these groups will encourage each other to commit more terrible crimes against children, they will provoke each other.

“When it becomes normalized and you are told that this behavior is normal, it creates ways in which these people are encouraged to do more harmful things.

“We’ve seen this with some new crimes where there’s sadistic behavior in com groups that is much worse than what we’ve seen before, and people are doing it not just for sexual gratification but to create harm.”

Interim Chief Constable Becky Riggs, the National Police Chiefs’ lead for child protection and abuse investigation, said education, alongside “ruthless” policing targeting offenders, was a vital part of creating a safer digital world for children.

He said the tech sector had a “very important role to play” and added: “We need tech companies to take urgent action to make their platforms hostile environments for criminals.

“This means developing and implementing solutions that prevent children from receiving, sharing or viewing nude images online, improving the detection of child sexual abuse material, and ensuring platforms are built safer by design.”

He also called on children and young people to try to understand the risks they may face online, adding: “They need to be empowered to make safer choices.”

Ms Riggs said: “Most importantly, trusted adults around them (parents, carers, teachers, youth workers) need clear and accessible guidance so they can spot signs of harm, have open conversations and know where to turn for help.