Experts warn of rise in sadistic online exploitation of vulnerable children

Child safety experts and law enforcement officials are warning about a global surge in what's known as sadistic online exploitation, The Guardian reports. In these cases, predators target vulnerable teenagers on social media platforms and online games, then coerce them into producing sexual images of themselves, harming themselves or others, and in extreme cases attempting suicide. Officials say cases have risen sharply over the past year. Support lines for children, concerned adults and adult survivors are available in the US, the UK and Australia, including the NSPCC helpline in Britain and the Childhelp hotline in the United States.

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