UK Parents Doubt Tech Giants’ Efforts as Blackmail Cases Climb

New NSPCC research finds one in 10 UK children targeted by online blackmail, with parents feeling unprepared and calling for stronger tech safeguards.

Online blackmail is hitting UK families harder than many realize, with one in 10 kids now targeted and parents struggling to keep up. As cases climb, confidence in tech companies is slipping.

A new report from the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) shows parents feel ill-equipped to handle a surge in online blackmail against kids, citing major knowledge gaps, infrequent family conversations about the threat, and growing frustration with platforms they say aren’t doing enough.

The charity based its findings on a survey of more than 2,500 parents across the UK.

The missing part

Parents may recognize the threat, but 29% admit they know nothing about the tactics offenders rely on, including AI-generated deepfakes that no longer ...