Figures released today show the number of reported sex offences against under 18-year-olds which involve the internet has shot up by 573%.

The numbers show the internet has a key role to play in allowing predators to target children for their own sexual gratification.

Police revealed the hike in reports of sex offences involving social networks and the web.

A Freedom of Information request submitted by children's charity NSPCC asked the UK's police forces to tell them how many reported sexual offences had a 'cyber flag' attached to them.

The data shows that 361 sex crimes were committed against children in Kent in 2016/17, up from 63 in 2015/16.

It comes as the charity has put forward several demands for the next government to make the internet safer for children.

They include setting up an independent regulator to make sure social media sites are held to account, it should set minimum standards to ensure internet companies are keeping children safe online and offering 'super safe' accounts with heightened privacy settings.

NSPCC chief executive officer Peter Wanless has said youngsters are telling the charity's Childline service that they are being targeted, sometimes by adults posing as youngsters.

Mr Wanless said: "These figures confirm our fears that offenders are exploiting the internet to target children for their own dark deeds.

"Children also tell our Childline service that they are being targeted online by some adults who pose as children and try to meet them, or persuade them to perform sexual acts on webcams, before blackmailing them.

"Children also tell us they are being targeted online by some adults who pose as children and try to meet them, or persuade them to perform sexual acts on webcams, before blackmailing them" - NSPCC CEO Peter Wanless

"This terrifies them and can leave some feeling worthless, depressed, and suicidal.

"We cannot idly sit by knowing that more and more innocent young people are being harmed online.

"Today’s worrying data leaves the next government with no choice but to urgently address this issue.

"We are calling on them to force internet companies and social media sites to adhere to rules that keep their young users safe."

Last year 5,653 child sex crimes with an online element were recorded in England and Wales.

A total of 39 forces reported cyber-related sex crimes against under-18s that included rape, grooming, and sexual assault.

That number has risen by more than a third (44%) from 2015/16.