Gardaí warn that children as young as five are being targeted online for sexual exploitation

Two agencies of An Garda Síochána are warning that even entirely innocuous online posts — put up by a child or his/her parents — can attract exploiters. iStock

Children as young as five are now being targeted online for sexual exploitation by international gangs as senior gardaí urgently implored parents: “Talk to your child”.

The plea comes as gardaí revealed more than 100 child victims of online sexual abuse have been identified in Ireland since the start of 2024.