The concerning trend has been revealed after an investigation by the Child Exploitation and Online Protection centre (CEOP), which says that children have been self-harming or even taking their own lives as a result.
The NSPCC has now set up a dedicated helpline to tackle the growing problem. The CEOP has also stressed that parents and children have a number of ways of reporting abuse and is currently working with schools to offer assemblies and lessons on how to stay safe online.
Young victims are blackmailed after the offender, often posing as a child, convinces them to share images or perform sexual acts. They then threaten to send the pictures to friends and family unless they do as they are told.
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