Your child has just shown you, or told you, that someone sent them an explicit image. Your first instinct might be panic, shame, or anger. Set that aside for the next 30 minutes. What you do now—calmly and in the right order—matters far more than how you feel.
This guide is a step-by-step response plan. It covers what to do, what not to do, and how to talk to your child so they trust you enough to tell you next time.
The first 10 minutes: stabilise and secure
Do these things in this order:
- Tell your child they did the right thing by telling you. This is true. Many children hide it out of shame or fear of losing their device. Reinforce: "You did the right thing. I'm not angry with you. We're going to handle this together."
- Do not ask them to delete the image yet. I know this feels wrong. But if you need to report it, you may need a screenshot or the image file as evidence. We'll cover deletion in a moment.
- Do not contact the sender directly. Don't message them, don't call their parent, don't post about it. This can escalate things and may interfere with a police report later.
- Screenshot the message thread (the part showing who sent it, when, and any context). You want proof of the sender's username or phone number, the timestamp, and what they said. Don't include the explicit image itself in your screenshots—just the metadata around it.
- Take a breath. Seriously. You're about to make two reports and have a conversation with your child. Your tone matters.
> If your child received an unsolicited explicit image, it is not their fault and not your fault. This is a crime, and you are reporting it.
Minutes 10–20: report it
Make two reports. Both are free, confidential, and the process is straightforward.
Report 1: To the platform
If the image came via Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, Messenger, Snapchat, TikTok, Discord, Xbox Live, PlayStation Network, or any other app:
- Open the app and find the message or post.
- Tap the three dots or Report button (it's on every platform).
- Select Child safety or Inappropriate content or Child exploitation.
- Submit. The platform will review it and may remove the content and suspend the sender's account.
Keep a note of the date, time, and what you reported. The platform will log it on their end.
Report 2: To the National Crime Agency (CEOP)
CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection) is the UK's specialist unit. They handle child sexual abuse material and online grooming. Report here: ceop.police.uk
The form takes 5–10 minutes. You'll need: