Such children become traumatised for life, which manifests itself in sexualised and anxious behaviour.

Trained staff can provide confidential support and connect you to resources in your area.

The Philippines is well-known for offering child prostitution.

The chatbots registered more than 20,000 webcam conversations, the details of which were passed on to Europol.

Not only that, the virtual girl remained clothed throughout; for moral and legal reasons Terre des Hommes did not wish to create any form of child pornography.

‘Legislation always lags behind new technology,' Leiden lawyer Bart Schermer explained.