The number of convictions for sexual communication with a child has more than doubled since 2019, according to new figures.
Stormont’s Justice (Sexual Offences and Trafficking Victims) Bill, which became law in April 2022, created four new offences regarding the online grooming of children.
The PSNI said last year that crimes involving sexual predators contacting children online had increased by almost a third since 2021.
It also said arrests by its Child Internet Protection Team had increased by 19% over the same period.
New figures from the Department of Justice show there were 58 convictions for sexual communication with a child last year, up from 28 in 2019.
In 2020, there were 25 such convictions, while in 2021 there were 36, and in 2022 there were 28.
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Detective Superintendent Jordan Piper of the PSNI’s Public Protection Branch said: “Often groomers hide their identity and may pretend to be the same age as a child.
“They may use fake profiles, pretending to have similar interests to gain the trust of the child, before steering the conversation to a sexual nature. Once trust is established, a groomer may use power and control to force, blackmail, guilt or trick a child into doing what they want.
“We want to make it clear that it is a crime for anyone to possess, make, distribute or show anyone an indecent image of a child under 18 years of age.
“This offence can be committed by an adult or a child. It is also a crime for an adult to send a sexually explicit image of themselves to a child.”
DS Piper said specialist detectives in the Child Internet Protection Team were dedicated to “robustly investigating those who contribute to the cycle of child abuse and bringing those responsible before the courts”.
She added: “We use specialist technology to detect digital devices and trace any digital interaction right back to the person’s front door, making it difficult for offenders to hide evidence from us.
“Remember, you are leaving a digital footprint, and we are actively looking for you.”
A dedicated hub designed to help parents, carers and children be more safe online was launched earlier this year.
The website was funded by the Department of Health and developed by the Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland, in partnership with the Ineqe Safeguarding Group.
Lynne Knox of Ineqe said at the time: “We believe that education is key to fostering a safer online environment.
“By equipping children, parents and caregivers with the knowledge and tools they need to navigate the digital world responsibly, we can help mitigate risks and protect vulnerable individuals from harm.
“Through the online safety hub, we aim to empower users with practical advice, interactive tools, and supportive guidance, ensuring that everyone can confidently engage with online platforms while prioritising their safety and wellbeing.”