Contact the NSPCC Helpline
You can contact our Helpline by calling 0808 800 5000 or emailing [email protected].
Our voice Helpline is available 10am–4pm Monday to Friday. You can email [email protected] at any time for free. You have the option to remain anonymous.
If we have not yet responded to you and your concerns for the safety of a child increase, please contact the police or local Children’s Services directly. Please be assured that we'll action all contacts that our Helpline receives.
Under 18?
Childline offers free, confidential advice and support whatever your worry, whenever you need help.
Why is change needed?
Right now, much of the online world is filled with sites and platforms that harm children. For parents and families, it can feel overwhelming – almost impossible – to make sure their children are safe.
Many children are being exposed to unsafe online platforms, feeling addicted to their devices, and facing abuse and exploitation online. While the online world has plenty of benefits, these must not come at the cost of children’s safety and wellbeing.
On 15th June, the UK Government announced they are banning social media platforms for under 16s. We have long campaigned to see urgent and serious change to keep children safe online and these changes mark an important moment for child protection online.
But our work here is not done. We have seen from Australia that a social media ban alone does not keep children safe. In Australia, tech companies have not been held accountable for implementing robust age checks, with around 70% of children still accessing banned platforms.
Under current plans, the Government have said they will ban just two harmful features for children online – stranger messaging and livestreaming. We know more harmful features exist and so we can’t stop there.
Become an NSPCC campaigner today
What changes do we need to see?
We’ve been campaigning for a safer online world since 2018, demanding laws that make children’s safety a priority for tech companies. Our work led to the Online Safety Act in 2023, which was a milestone for children.
But as new technology accelerates and new risks emerge daily, we need to go further to protect children.
Tech companies have failed our young people for far too long and there needs to be real accountability for the dangers on their platforms.
We believe there are three key, urgent changes needed to protect children – changes that go beyond what a simple social media ban will achieve.
Tech companies must…
Prove platforms are age-appropriate
Make sure services prove they are safe and age-appropriate before children can use them, and enforce their age limits so that young children can’t access services that aren’t designed for them.
End addictive design
Ban the use of addictive design tricks which keep children endlessly gaming, scrolling and watching.
Block harm across online spaces
Build safety into every device, platform, and AI tool, so children don’t create, share or see harmful content or illegal images.
