Intimate examinations of children via telehealth might inadvertently increase the risk of online sexual grooming, GPs are being warned.

Asking a child to undress in front of a phone or computer camera, even for a medical examination with a parent present, may normalise the type of behaviour that sexual predators would encourage, according to paediatric endocrinologists writing in the Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health.

Dr Jacky Hewitt said she co-authored the journal letter after the issue arose during her own consults. 

“Since the pandemic, we’ve seen quite a number of families via telehealth who have tried to undress their child to show the physical development of their chest or genital area over web camera,” she told Australian Doctor.