Online safety for children in the Netherlands
Every day, children are sexually abused online. The figures are shocking: one in two young people between the ages of 12 and 25 in the Netherlands experience online sexual abuse or exploitation. Perpetrators increasingly use artificial intelligence to manipulate innocent, everyday photos into explicit images to blackmail and extort children. Under pressure from this sextortion, victims are forced to send more images, which then can then continue to circulate online indefinitely. The impact is enormous and can happen to any child – including your neighbor’s daughter, a child you babysit, your nephew, or your own (grand)child.
To stop online sexual abuse and AI nude exploitation of children, we provide education about these digital dangers, support victims of deepfake abuse, and lobby for stricter legislation in the Netherlands and the EU to protect children online.
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Eva Notté
Senior Advisor at Terre des Hommes NetherlandsThe rise of AI has made it possible for a vast number of people to sexually exploit children online. With an app, a prompt, and the click of a button, anyone can create a victim today. Offenders can be young or old, strangers — or someone from your neighborhood, or even your own family.
Background
Online sexual extortion is one of the fastest-growing forms of online sexual child abuse. Research by Fonds Slachtofferhulp (Dutch victim support fund) shows that online sexual abuse and sexual harassment are large-scale problems that deeply impact the lives of many children and young people. One in two young people between the ages of 12 and 25 in the Netherlands will experience this at some point. In a study from 2025, between 700,000 and 800,000 young people reported being confronted with this in the preceding twelve months.
Furthermore, the Netherlands is one of the world’s largest hosts of illegal child sexual abuse material. The country is responsible for no less than 29 percent of all criminal webpages in this area. Yet, this problem remains largely hidden. Of the victims of online sexual extortion, 37 percent talk to absolutely no one about the blackmail, and only 4 percent report it to the police.
Children who face this have a right to protection and support in processing their experiences. This cannot wait. That is why Terre des Hommes works every single day to ensure a safe future for children.
To stop online child abuse and the rise of AI exploitation in the Netherlands, Terre des Hommes is working on:
Prevention
We work to increase children’s digital resilience. They learn what safe online behavior looks like, how to protect their boundaries, and how to recognise signs of deception or AI manipulation. In addition, we support parents in guiding their children’s online behavior, making the online world open for discussion, and recognising risks. We train professionals, such as teachers and youth workers, to identify concerns earlier. We direct children and parents to specialised, child-friendly support services available to them.
Policy advocacy and systemic change
In The Hague and Brussels, we lobby for stricter regulations at both European and national levels, and for better law enforcement. Our goal is to ensure that tech companies and hosting providers are legally required to ensure their platforms and servers are safe for children.
Participation of children and parents
The perspectives of children and parents are vital. That is why we engage in dialogues with children aged 12 to 17 and parents on this topic. We ensure their opinions count and are heard in our discussions and advocacy with policymakers. Children have the right to have a say in this!
Help after online sexual abuse
Are you or is someone you know dealing with online sexual abuse? Don’t carry this burden alone; you can get immediate advice or help. For example, through:
Offlimits
The Expertisecentrum Online Misbruik (expertise centre for online abuse) offers free, safe, and, if desired, anonymous help and advice. Visit hulplijn.offlimits.nl for more information or to chat with a staff member. You can also call: +31 20 261 52 75.
Important: Do not delete any chat messages or images yet; these are crucial as evidence for the police.
Centrum Seksueel Geweld
Centrum Seksueel Geweld (centre for sexual violence) offers medical, psychological, and forensic support after sexual violence. Visit centrumseksueelgeweld.nl for more information or to chat with a staff member. Or call for free: 0800-0188 (available 24/7).
Police
You can also contact the police directly.
If you are in the Netherlands:
- Local police: 0900-8844.
- Report Crime Anonymously: 0800-7000.
- Fill in the police contact form so they can contact you.
If you are abroad:
- Call +31 343 57 8844.
Frequently Asked Questions
Looking for more information on AI and online sexual abuse? We’ve compiled answers to the most frequently asked questions.
The images may be fake, but the damage is real!
Online sexual abuse of children is increasing at a rapid pace. Perpetrators are using artificial intelligence (AI) more and more frequently. Although the images are technically ‘fake’, the consequences and the damage to the child are real. Perpetrators use these images to blackmail children, forcing them to repeatedly send new, sexually explicit, real photos and videos. The blackmail never stops on its own, and the fear of the images being posted online forever is immense. That is why Terre des Hommes is campaigning to protect children and fight this exploitation.