Analysis of crime statistics shows that up to 1,400 Children are at risk of online abuse during the Summer Holidays due to the lack of legal protections. Children are more vulnerable to online approaches by potential abusers during this time as they spend more time on the internet. Data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows that 80% of children spend three or more hours online during the week when they are out of school. The number of online child sexual offences has risen by 20% since 2019, with 60,000 such crimes reported in the five years to March 2023. The UK government's online safety bill aims to place new legal duties on social media firms to protect children from online abuse.

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