Cornwall records 206 TikTok-linked crimes since 2023

Reports mentioning TikTok have more than doubled in Cornwall in two years, rising from 44 in 2023 to 103 last year, part of a sharp climb in cases across Devon and Cornwall.

What the figures show

The data comes from Freedom of Information requests submitted by law firm JF Law to Devon and Cornwall Constabulary. Across the force, officers logged 741 reports that mentioned TikTok between 2023 and 2025, rising from 162 in the first year to 362 in the last. Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly accounted for 206 of those, with the local figure more than doubling from 44 to 103.

Stalking and harassment made up the bulk, with 445 across the force, up from 100 to 205. The wider data also includes more serious crimes. Two rapes were linked to the platform in 2025, after none in the two previous years. Other sexual offences tripled to 27 last year, reaching 45 in total. There were also 16 cases of violence with injury, 11 without, one count of arson, two business burglaries, 10 of criminal damage and one weapon possession offence. Those totals are for Devon and Cornwall as a whole rather than broken down by county.

What the numbers do and don’t mean

A TikTok mention in a police log does not mean the app caused the crime. It means the platform came up when someone reported what happened, whether that was where contact was first made, where a message was sent, or part of the account someone gave to officers.

Children and teenagers

Young people feature heavily across the force. Children under 13 were victims in 47 cases, up from 12 in 2023 to 21 in 2025. Teenagers aged 13 to 17 fared worse, with cases more than tripling from 16 to 58 and reaching 104 in total. Among adults, the 25 to 44 group recorded the most of any age band at 148.

A national question

The figures come as Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour Government weighs a social media ban for children. That would follow Australia, which brought in restrictions on under-16s in late 2025.

Where to get help

Ellie Lamey, a Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority specialist at JF Law, said the volume of cases was a warning to parents and authorities alike. She said everyday platforms were being used by predators to target the youngest and most vulnerable, and that the effects of cyber-stalking, harassment and online abuse reach well beyond the screen.

Ellie said victims should know there are legal routes open to them. “Nobody should have to navigate this nightmare in silence,” she said, adding that the firm wanted to help people secure protection, justice and support.

JF Law offers advice and support to anyone affected by online harassment and abuse, with a free consultation and a 24-hour helpline available through the JF Law website.

Cornwall’s figure is still climbing. Whether a ban follows is another matter.