Last updated by Stephanie Rosser on Thursday, November 20, 2025

NSPCC has published a new report examining the technologies available to combat online grooming. The report looks at how existing tools and interventions could be applied to private communication, as well as emerging technologies that could address harm in end-to-end encrypted (E2EE) environments.

Findings show that the migration of conversations to private or E2EE channels is a challenge for protecting children online against grooming but introducing interventions across different stages of the grooming lifecycle would help to reduce risks to children. Where the platform could be identified, 40% of offences took place on Snapchat, 9% on WhatsApp and 9% on Facebook and Instagram.

While the report urges tech companies, Ofcom, and Government to take action, there is plenty that professionals and parents/carers can be doing to support children to access digital content in a safe environment. Take a look at the online safety pages for further information.