A government-backed trial to protect children at risk of online grooming and sexual exploitation is set to be launched in the North of England.
Around 200 children and young people – considered to be at risk of such crimes – will be given mobile phones using technology designed to block contact with potential offenders.
The pilot, due to start this month, is being delivered with technology company Voop as part of the Hydrant Programme, which targets organised child sexual exploitation.
The government said offenders are increasingly using smartphones and messaging services to prey on vulnerable children.
Separate findings reported by the NSPCC in 2024 show online grooming crimes against children climbed by 89% in six years. The charity revealed criminals were more likely to start contact through social media and messaging apps, which can all be accessed on a smart phone.
Voop claims its technology can block unwanted contact and help carers respond when a child goes missing. Early data from care providers shows children using the tech were found in less than two hours on average, compared with a reported sector average of 26 hours.
The company also said 75% of people using the software reported feeling safer.
While these findings are positive, they haven’t been independently assessed. Data from the government pilot is expected by the end of 2026.
Satvir Kaur, minister for safeguarding and violence against women and girls, said: ‘All children deserve to be safe online. We have a duty to do everything we can to protect those most vulnerable from grooming, exploitation and abuse.
‘This shows the important role UK-based technology firms can play in putting stronger safeguards directly onto children’s devices, helping trusted adults spot warning signs sooner, disrupt harmful contact and intervene earlier.’
News of the pilot comes as the government have announced plans to ban children under 16 from accessing major social media platforms in a bid to keep them safe online.
James Paul, co-founder of Voop, said: ‘Child exploitation has evolved faster than many of the systems designed to prevent it. Criminal networks know that a smartphone can be a direct route into a child’s life, often beyond the visibility of the adults responsible for keeping them safe.
‘What makes this pilot significant is that it recognises the mobile network itself can play a role in prevention. Safeguarding should not begin after harm has occurred. It should start at the point before contact is first attempted.’
Image: Voop
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