It recently emerged that children as young as six are being groomed via live stream on YouTube, and this is just one of the ways they are being targeted.

Online predators have been known to regularly use games, social media, live streaming platforms and chatrooms in order to target children.

Often, the groomer can create multiple online identities and even pretend to be children themselves in order to make contact.

Disguise: Online predators have been known to regularly use games, social media, live streaming platforms and chatrooms in order to target children

Some predators will look at what a child has posted online before making an approach, while others will send out multiple 'friend requests' in the hope of receiving a response.

According to the National Crime Agency's Child Exploitation and Online Protection Command, offenders will try to start conversations and then try and move to a private social media or chat app.

A CEOP spokesperson said: 'You should assume that if a site or app is popular with young people then people with a sexual interest in children will try to use it to communicate with them.

'This doesn't mean you should panic or not let your children use them, simply that they should be aware that there can be risks on any platform they are using.

'If your child uses online games, social media, live streaming platforms or chatrooms it's important to make sure they know how to report to CEOP if someone is making them feel uncomfortable.'

Online grooming: CEOP warns there has been a rise in children being 'tricked' into sharing explicit images using a web cam or the camera on the smart phone

CEOP warns there has been a rise in children being 'tricked' into sharing explicit images using a web cam or the camera on the smart phone.

Experts say there is not one clear sign of online grooming, although its effects can be as harmful as 'contact' sexual abuse.

According to CEOP, abusers will want their victims to remain silent to maintain control and to prevent the child seeking help.

A spokesperson added: 'It's important to ensure that your children are aware of the risks posed by people with a sexual interest in children online. They should know that they should be wary of people they talk to online, not share too much personal information and be aware of how they appear in their online profiles.

'It's also important that your child knows they can talk to you if anything is bothering them and that you will be supportive.'

For more information, call the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 500, or contact your local police, children's social care department or report your suspicions directly to CEOP.

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