Children as young as five are being exposed to pornography online, with some developing addictions that follow them into later childhood, according to new and exclusive research.
The findings, from the charity Dignify, reveal the average age of first exposure to sexual content online is now 12. However, the organisation warns that the trend is moving towards ever-younger children, with significant numbers encountering this material during their primary school years.
The Lifelong Impact of Early Exposure
Nicola Lee from Dignify told Sky News that deeper analysis of their data uncovered a particularly alarming trend. Some children who first viewed pornography at age five or under are now reporting addiction to it. "So it wasn't just a case of they saw it at that age," Lee explained. "It actually has developed with them into their older years, and they're now telling us that they have an addiction."
This pattern is tragically illustrated by the experience of Shaniah Williams, who first saw pornography at just seven years old. Her exposure to harmful sexual behaviour at age six prompted a curiosity that led her to search online. She described how content was readily available on certain platforms, and by eight, she was watching extreme material. By 12, she was addicted.
"I didn't understand why I was so low. Consuming more of this material kind of kept me sane… but the thoughts wouldn't stop every minute of every day. I just wanted it to stop," she said.
The impact was profound and distressing. "It was scary. I didn't know human beings looked like that," Shaniah recalled. "I'm a child, I've not seen that. I thought someone was killing the other person. I thought it was torture." She suffered from depression and suicidal thoughts, feeling trapped in a "prison of my own making." Her message to parents is a desperate plea: "It took my childhood, it's gone. I'm not getting it back. But it doesn't mean other children can't have that. So I beg of you, parents - please. For their sake."
Unintentional Exposure and the School Crisis
According to Dignify's research, most children initially find pornography online "unintentionally", often through links in group chats, shares from other platforms, or content sent by strangers. This passive exposure makes prevention incredibly difficult for families.
The problem is magnified within the school environment. Flossie, a 17-year-old, described being overwhelmed by the volume and extremity of content circulated among pupils at her secondary school. "Within the first three months, I was exposed to literally everything on social media - hardcore pornography, violent videos," she said. One viral clip showed a beheading; another involved bestiality.
"I got off the bus one day, and it was shoved in my face. I was 12. I had to go home from school because it was so disturbing," Flossie explained. She is now part of a legal challenge calling for smartphones to be banned in UK schools, arguing that children cannot be protected while devices remain in classrooms and on school transport.
Will Orr‑Ewing, who is involved in the challenge, said over 250 headteachers support a potential judicial review of government guidance. He warned that every September, a new wave of Year 7 pupils risks seeing things "they can never unsee." He dismissed the idea that smartphones keep children safe as a "myth," stating, "The evidence is that the vast majority of harms come through the smartphone."
Guidance for Parents and Official Response
Dignify encourages parents to have "age and developmentally appropriate" conversations with their children. They advise on creating shared screen moments, like playing games together, and being in the same room when a child is using a device alone to understand what they are viewing. Parental controls and privacy settings remain essential tools.
In response to the issue, a Department for Education spokesperson highlighted existing school policies and the Online Safety Act. "We support headteachers to take the necessary steps to prevent disruption, backed by our clear guidance. Research shows 99.8% of primary schools and 90% of secondary schools already have policies in place restricting mobile phone use," the spokesperson said.
They added that the government has taken "bold steps" to ensure children have age-appropriate experiences online, aiming to protect them from harmful content while allowing safe access to digital services.
If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this story, help and support is available. You can call Samaritans free on 116 123 anytime, email jo@samaritans.org, or visit www.samaritans.org.
