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Potential sex abusers are hacking into children’s website accounts and making unwanted advances, a report published today warns.

Children as young as 10 are being sent images of indecent exposure via webcams and obscene images through text messages, chatrooms and email.

The report, published by web child protection agency the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre, found that girls and inexperienced web users were most at risk from victimisation and blackmail.

A group of 10-16-year-olds interviewed by the centre said the experience led to feelings of hurt, shame, anxiety and depression.

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