This NSPCC Blog post explores how friendships are an important part of life for any child, allowing them to feel connected, understood, and cared for.  Children are placing increasing value on the internet as a place to form and maintain friendships. But meeting and connecting with others online also comes with risks, including potential grooming and online abuse.

I'm worried about this friend I made online. We’re friends online but have never met. Recently they asked me to watch things together online. I didn’t think anything of it until they started making me watch online content that was explicit and meant for adults. I feel trapped.

Childline counselling session with a boy aged 13

Analysis of Childline counselling sessions has shown that children sometimes refer to individuals they’ve met online as their friends. But when the counsellor digs a little deeper, it becomes clear that the child knows very little about this person and that in some cases the person is a risk to the child.

It’s essential for professionals to remain curious when discussing children’s online relationships and to consider whether the term ‘friend’ could be masking safeguarding concerns.