Duchess Sophie issues urgent demand to protect children from dangers lurking online

The Duchess of Edinburgh today called for tougher action to combat online child sexual abuse. Sophie, 60, described the "corrosive impact" of web-based exploitation and the need for tech companies to act "urgently" to curb the risk.

Addressing European politicians at a summit in Brussels, Belgium, she added: "Today, children everywhere in the world are not only falling victim to adults wishing to groom them but are exposed to an enormous amount of dangerous, harmful and inappropriate content including material on suicide, self harm, eating disorders, violence and pornography — all with consequences that can prove devastating.

"In the UK, the introduction of the Online Safety Act in 2023 placed new duties on social media companies to protect users, particularly children, against harmful content. But neither the UK’s government nor that of any one country can do it alone. Technology companies are in a uniquely powerful position to promote positive change in developing services that are safe by design and proactive in addressing online harm and safety features built in at the outset.

"It will take a collective effort by all including governments, technology companies, regulators and legislators, civil society and law enforcement to make it happen. We must also listen to the young people themselves who I know are keen to be the architects of their futures. By understanding how and why they interact online and amongst their community, it will help shape our responses."

Addressing the audience, she continued: "It is in your hands, as the task of the upmost and urgent importance, because of the lives and future of millions of children around the world will be affected by what you decide or what hat you decide not to do. Therefore I implore you now, on behalf of the children of today and tomorrow, to redouble your efforts so that they are empowered to learn, to play, to grow and to thrive in our world."

The Royal, who is patron of child safety charity the NSPCC, was joined at the event by Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips, who is set to take part in a panel discussion with representatives from the European Commission, the UN and survivor advocacy groups.

The joint visit comes after an alarming probe by the Internet Watch Foundation found over 300 million webpages containing X-rated images and videos of minors in 2024 - the worst since records began.

Shockingly, the number of Category A images - considered the most serious abuse material - rocketed by 22 per cent in the same period. Speaking ahead of today's summit, Jess Phillips said: "Child sexual abuse is a horrific crime that is impacting more and more children, victims, and survivors in all of our communities across the world and the effects can last a lifetime.

"This most devastating of crimes transcends international borders - victims are often exploited in their homes by offenders across the globe using platforms that are headquartered in many different countries.

"It is therefore crucial that we drive forward a global response and improve global capacity to tackle this crime. Enough is enough. We must act now and urgently see strong action from governments, tech, frontline professionals, police and law enforcement."

The Online Safety Act’s illegal codes came into effect last week, requiring platforms to proactively tackle illegal content including extreme pornography, child sexual abuse material and terrorist content. Victims of child sexual exploitation are typically targeted in their own homes by offenders across the globe. Many are blackmailed into sending images of themselves, tragically resulting in some taking their own lives.