Why Boys Face Hidden Digital Dangers Too
We often hear headlines about the dangers girls face online, from cyberbullying to grooming and inappropriate requests. But the truth is, boys are also vulnerable to a range of online threats – and these are often overlooked by parents, educators, and the media. Understanding the risks boys face in digital spaces is crucial for creating safer online environments for every child, regardless of gender.
The Reality: Boys Face Online Threats Too
For many, the narrative surrounding online safety focuses on girls, yet boys are increasingly being targeted for:
Cyberbullying: Boys are just as likely as girls to be targets of harassment, with unique pressures around image, masculinity, and group banter.
Grooming and Exploitation: Grooming is not gender-exclusive. Recent investigations found boys accounted for nearly one in three cases of online sexual grooming offences reported to UK police.
Sextortion: An alarming rise in so-called “sextortion” scams targets boys, threatening to share personal images unless money is paid. According to the National Crime Agency, boys now represent over half of child sextortion victims in the UK.
Exposure to Harmful Content: Violent, misogynistic or extremist content is designed to entice boys, sometimes even more aggressively than girls.
Recent UK Statistics Highlight the Risks
This year (2025), the National Crime Agency launched a campaign to tackle ‘sextorion’ of young boys. As stated in their news article:
“Teenage boys are being targeted in an “unimaginably cruel” wave of online sexual extortion, the National Crime Agency (NCA) has warned.
While most victims of child sexual exploitation and abuse are female, 90% of “sextortion” victims are boys aged 14 to 17.
The surge is being driven by organised criminals overseas who manipulate and blackmail victims into handing over money by threatening to release intimate images, the NCA said.
The majority of perpetrators are based in Nigeria, Ivory Coast and the Philippines, the NCA claimed.
The agency has launched a major campaign to warn young boys of the dangers, amid growing concerns that sextortion is pushing some victims to take their own lives.”
Why Boys May Not Speak Up
Several factors make it harder for boys to seek support:
Stigma and Stereotypes: Social ideas about masculinity lead boys to fear ridicule or being seen as weak if they ask for help.
Fewer Resources Geared Towards Boys: Much online safety messaging still targets girls, leaving boys unsure whether advice applies to them.
Peer Pressure: Banter and ‘lads’ culture’ can normalise abusive behaviour or dismiss harmful content.
What Parents and Carers Can Do
1) Start Early, Talk Openly: Discuss online safety with boys as soon as they use the internet. Use examples relevant to their interests and experiences.
2) Challenge Stereotypes: Let boys know it’s okay to be upset, scared, or confused by something they see or receive online.
3) Check Digital Spaces Together: Keep up with the platforms and games your child uses. Explore privacy settings and reporting mechanisms as a team.
4) Encourage Reporting: Reassure boys that asking for help is a sign of strength. Make sure they know how to block, mute, and report harmful behaviour.
5) Stay Updated: Risks change fast. Regularly review recent safety tips and resources from trusted UK organisations.
The Bottom Line
Online safety is for every child – not just girls. Boys face real and growing dangers online, from bullying to blackmail. By smashing stereotypes and opening conversations, we can keep all young people safer in our digital world. Download our latest Online Safety Quiz and test you and your child’s digital safety knowledge!
At Big Sister, we advocate for children's safety online. Our app marks a positive change in the way that our children are protected online, using flags and alerts to warn parents of dangerous content without breaking down trust and privacy barriers between children and adults.
Find out more about how to protect your children online without breaking their trust in our latest blog here.
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