AN INVESTIGATION has been launched after two young children sent explicit photos of themselves to people they didn’t know on Snapchat and TikTok.

Hampshire Constabulary is investigating reports of child sexual exploitation involving an eight and 10 year old in the New Milton area on Monday, February 21.

The police have confirmed that contact had been made with the children through the use of social media apps.

A spokesperson for Hampshire Constabulary said: “Officers are carrying out thorough lines of enquiry as they seek to establish the exact circumstances of this incident and whether any criminal offences have been committed at this time.

“Safeguarding advice has been provided to the families of the children involved.

“No arrests have been made.”

In a social media post the New Forest Heart Cops encouraged parents to learn about the risks of ‘sexting’ and to talk to their children about it.

They said: “Sexting’ is a word which refers to self-taken nude, semi-nude or sexual photos, videos and messages which are sent and shared over the internet.

“There are so many risks to children that come with this type of activity.

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“It could lead to bullying, sextortion – a form of cybercrime and blackmail during which victims are lured into performing sexual acts in front of a webcam, or a camera on a smartphone – and exploitation, as well as having a significant impact on your child’s mental health.

“You may also find it useful to remind your children that even though people they’ve met online might feel like friends, they may not be who they say they are.

“It is always worth considering reviewing what apps they are using and the parental controls and privacy settings on devices, mobile apps and social media networks that they may use too.”

For more information on how to keep your children safe online visit www.safe4me.co.uk.