Fresh figures from the NSPCC indicate UK police forces recorded almost 37,000 offences involving child sexual abuse imagery, with more than 5,300 of those occurring in Yorkshire alone.

Data obtained from 41 of the 45 forces operating across the country demonstrated an eight percent year-on-year rise in such offences. The regional increase in Yorkshire reached 15 percent.

Childline advisors report daily contact from minors who have suffered abuse via digital platforms, frequently involving explicit photographs.

One seventeen-year-old male described how sharing a naked image online resulted in its distribution, meaning every classmate viewed it. He relocated to another school due to the distress caused. Individuals continue to use the photographs to extort him. He expressed concern about his new acquaintances discovering the images and how the breach might affect his career prospects.

A fourteen-year-old male explained that a girl he was romantically involved with demanded he send explicit photographs. He subsequently learned she had posted these images publicly, with all schoolmates viewing them. He feared potential legal consequences for sending the photographs and how this might shape his future.

It may come as a surprise that technology firms possess capabilities to deploy existing tools on young people’s handsets which would instantly prevent the creation, transmission or viewing of explicit material. However, these companies opt against implementing such measures, despite their potential to prevent offences from occurring.

Without robust protective mechanisms to shield minors online, children face exposure to grooming, blackmail, sexual exploitation and the non-consensual distribution of intimate photographs – experiences capable of causing profound and lasting harm throughout adulthood.

Those technology companies neglecting their duty to safeguard young people online bear indefensible responsibility, particularly given the daily occurrence of such offences documented by police. The Government’s Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy pledges collaboration with technology firms to prevent minors from capturing or distributing explicit images. These fresh statistics demonstrate conclusively that technology companies are failing to make young people’s safety a priority across their services. Every single offence recorded represents a child subjected to grooming, abuse and manipulation. Technology firms escape accountability whilst profiting, whilst young people bear the psychological scars.

The NSPCC advocates for the installation of software on young people’s phones capable of preventing indecent imagery from being captured. Should technology firms continue to delay action, the Government must intervene and require compliance.

Technology firms possess the capacity to do considerably more to prevent these offences. What, then, is preventing them?

Childline can be reached on 0800 1111 or through childline.org.uk