More children will spend time online as families struggle to afford days out
The pandemic was said to have caused a rise in the number of children exploited online because many more youngsters were spending time on their devices.
Now campaigners have warned that young people may be at increased risk of online abuse because of the cost-of-living crisis.
The NSPCC says predators must not be allowed to “fuel another surge in abuse” as families struggle to afford days out and holiday clubs this summer.
New research by Barnardo’s suggests almost half (46 per cent) of families will find it hard to come up with the money for activities with their children.
Its survey of 1,191 parents and carers across Britain also found a quarter (26 per cent) reported that they can’t fund childcare and holiday clubs and one in five (21 per cent) said they can’t afford time off work to spend with their children.
Seven in 10 children said they will spend more time online during the holidays than during term time, and 8 per cent said they will meet in real life with people they have spoken to online this summer.
Around 13 per cent confessed that they already communicate with strangers online who they do not know in person.
Any child can be at risk of exploitation, said Barnardo’s chief executive Lynn Perry, but youngsters spending more time online because of financial constraints are more vulnerable.
“During the pandemic, we saw a rise in new forms of exploitation – with children increasingly groomed, recruited and exploited over social media, chat rooms and on gaming platforms,” she said.
“Whilst all children, regardless of age, location or background can be vulnerable to sexual and criminal exploitation, 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.
“We know exploitation can be life-changing, often leaving children traumatised and feeling alone.”
It comes as the Online Safety Bill is making its way through Parliament.
The landmark legislation – which aims to police the internet and protect young people and adults from harmful content – has been repeatedly delayed over concerns about its impact on freedom of expression.
Children’s charities have warned that the longer the Bill is held up, the more children will suffer abuse online.
