More than 160 children from Northern Ireland contacted Childline last year with concerns over online sexual abuse.
However, the NSPCC believe the true figure may be higher, as almost 25% of young people contacting the service did not say where they lived.
The organisation say the growing use of webcams and apps is leading to more children becoming potential victims of grooming for sex.
Childline held 3,716 counselling sessions across the UK in 2014-2015 relating to online sexual abuse, a rise of almost 25%
The majority of young people contacting the service were aged between 12 and 15 years old with girls making up almost two-thirds of callers.
The figures show that one in eight of the counselling sessions specifically related to grooming – a rise of 21%.
A new ‘Listen To Your Selfie’ campaign has been launched by Childline to help young people recognise the signs of grooming and unhealthy relationships.
Neil Anderson, head of the NSPCC in Northern Ireland, said that as well as being a way to stay in touch with friends, the internet has the potential to be a “playground for paedophiles”, he said:
“Young people may not understand what is right or wrong in a relationship, or what to do if something makes them feel uncomfortable, online or offline
“‘Listen to your Selfie’ is aimed at helping young people recognise signs they are being manipulated, controlled or exploited so they feel empowered to make their own decisions or choices..”
Childline founder, Esther Rantzen said:
“Very often young people tell us of their feelings of shame because they don’t recognize that they are not to blame, one young person who had been persuaded to send explicit pictures of herself told us ‘I walked myself into this mess, I couldn’t ask for help.’
“It can be very hard for young people to identify that they are being manipulated or exploited, or to recognise that something is not right. We want children and young people to know that Childline is there for them, whatever their worry, to answer any questions and offer support and advice.”
Children can contact Childline 24 hours a day, 365 days a year on 0800 1111 or by visiting www.childline.org.uk
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