Suffolk charity calls for earlier education as online child safety concerns rise
New figures show over 300,000 people sought confidential help last year over concerns about online sexual behaviour towards children.
A Suffolk charity has warned that stronger safeguards and earlier education are needed to protect young people online as more people seek support over concerns about harmful behaviour involving children.
New figures from the Lucy Faithfull Foundation, which runs the Stop It Now support service, show 330,610 people sought confidential advice in 2025 over worries about online sexual behaviour involving children, a 20% increase on the previous year.
Stop It Now is a confidential helpline and online service offering advice and support to people concerned about child sexual abuse, including those worried about their own or someone else’s behaviour.
Hannah Walker, engagement and fundraising manager at the Suffolk-based charity Brave Futures, said the figures highlight the need for stronger prevention measures and earlier conversations with young people.
She said: “It’s about all adults, it’s about organisations, tech companies and authorities ensuring that we are preventing content from even being online.
“And then when it is happening, faster interventions when these behaviours are beginning.”
The report
The Lucy Faithfull Foundation says the increase in people seeking help reflects growing risks online, but warns many more individuals may still be struggling in silence.
The National Crime Agency estimates between 710,000 and 840,000 adults in the UK pose some level of sexual risk to children, although campaigners say stereotypes about offenders can prevent people from seeking help early.
Dr Alexandra Bailey of the Lucy Faithfull Foundation has said harmful online behaviour is not always driven by sexual attraction to children, and can sometimes be linked to issues such as loneliness, mental health struggles or problematic online habits.
Greater awareness
Ms Walker said education must begin much earlier to help children understand what they may encounter online.
“We should be exploring this way earlier on with young people,” she said.
“We should be doing this in schools and really unpicking this from day dot.”
She warned that many children are exposed to online material at increasingly young ages, which can shape their understanding of relationships and behaviour.
“You’re talking about ten whole years where young people are growing up online and seeing things that can influence their understanding of relationships,” she said.
“That’s why we have to tackle the myths and misunderstandings that can come from what young people see online.”
Brave Futures works with children and families affected by harmful sexual behaviour and child exploitation, and also provides education and outreach in schools.
Ms Walker said prevention requires action from multiple sectors, including technology companies, organisations and governments.
“We’re trying to engage children and young people much earlier,” she said.
“That includes offering education in schools and building resources for parents and carers.”
Stop It Now encourages anyone concerned about their own behaviour or the behaviour of someone they know to seek confidential advice early in order to prevent harm to children.