Children and teens are increasingly turning to Childline for advice and support on coming out to their parents.Between 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025, the NSPCC-led service said it delivered 2,411 counselling sessions on the topic of sexuality and gender identity. Over 40% of these counselling sessions focused on coming out, with many young people expressing their anxieties around being judged over their sexuality. Young people revealed to counsellors they’re worried about their parents’ reactions and being alienated from friendship groups as a result of coming out.One boy, aged 16, said: “I want to tell my parents I’m bisexual but I’m scared of what they’ll think. They come from a strict background, and I’ve seen them judging others for being gay.“We’re close but they don’t have a clue about me. I don’t want to disappoint them, I just want to be accepted for who I am.”According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the