Do first
Support the child, stop further replies where safe, and preserve key details before making major account changes.
Report safely. Preserve what matters. Do not amplify the harm.
This page helps parents report online safety concerns without accidentally spreading evidence, escalating threats, shaming the child, or losing key details.
Parents often want to act fast. That instinct is protective. But rushed reactions can accidentally delete evidence, spread harmful content, scare the child into silence, or alert the unsafe person before the right adults know what happened.
The goal is not to make noise first.
The goal is to protect the child, preserve key facts, and report through the safest pathway.
Posting screenshots publicly before reporting.
Forwarding harmful images to prove what happened.
Deleting chats before key details are preserved.
Confronting the suspected person in anger.
Shaming or blaming the child for what happened.
Letting the child deal with threats alone.
Treat it seriously if there are threats, blackmail, grooming, sexual messages, requests for images, attempts to meet, repeated contact, or pressure to keep secrets.
Support the child, stop further replies where safe, and preserve key details before making major account changes.
Do not confront the person, post accusations, or delete the conversation before saving what matters.
Use the official reporting pathway that fits the risk and your country.
Do not forward the image.
Do not post the image publicly.
Do not send it to other parents or group chats.
Do not use the child’s image as proof in a public argument.
Use official removal and reporting pathways.
School-related incidents can spread quickly through group chats, screenshots, rumours, and friendship networks. Reporting still needs to stay calm and factual.
Keep a factual record of what was seen, said, shared, or threatened.
Save group names, usernames, screenshots of threats, and dates where safe.
Contact the school through the appropriate wellbeing, safeguarding, or leadership pathway.
Ask what steps will be taken to reduce further sharing or retaliation.
Use official reporting if the content, threats, exploitation, or abuse is serious.
If you are unsure, start with the reporting hub or the country page that fits your location. If the child is in immediate danger, emergency services come first.
Use the most relevant official pathway for the situation. Serious child safety concerns may need more than one report.
For cyberbullying, image-based abuse, illegal/restricted content, and serious online harm.
Report to eSafetyFor online child sexual exploitation concerns, grooming, coercion, or serious sexual safety risk.
Report to ACCCEFor online exploitation of children and child sexual safety concerns.
NCMEC CyberTiplineFor nude, partially nude, or sexually explicit images or videos taken when the person was under 18 that may be shared online.
Take It Down“You are not in trouble. We are reporting this because you deserve protection.”
“The person threatening, pressuring, or exposing you is the one doing wrong.”
“We are going to save the important details, report it properly, and keep records.”
“You do not have to remember everything perfectly. Start with what you can.”
Reporting should protect the child, not expose them further.
Do not let panic turn into public sharing, deleted evidence, or rushed confrontation.
Stay calm. Preserve key facts. Use the right pathway. Keep supporting the child.