How to Report Online Exploitation
If you suspect a child is being exploited online, report it. You don't need to choose one agency โ report to all relevant channels. Here's exactly how.
๐ Need Help Organizing Your Report?
Use our Report Builder tool to organize your evidence and generate a complete report ready for NCMEC, law enforcement, and platform submissions.
Open Report Builder โIf a Child Is in Immediate Danger
Call 911
If a child is being actively abused, threatened with violence, or in physical danger, call emergency services first. Everything else can wait.
Document Everything First
Before reporting, preserve evidence. Once content is reported and removed, it may be harder to recover for investigations.
What to Document
- ๐ธ Screenshots of messages, profiles, and posts (include timestamps)
- ๐ URLs of profiles, posts, and conversations
- ๐ค Usernames and display names of the suspected predator
- ๐ Dates and times of interactions
- ๐ฑ Platform names where interactions occurred
- ๐ Phone numbers or emails if shared
- ๐ฐ Payment details if money was demanded (gift card types, crypto addresses, apps used)
Evidence Preservation Guide
Proper evidence collection can make or break an investigation. Follow these guidelines to ensure your documentation holds up.
๐ธ Taking Proper Screenshots
- โข Capture the full screen, not just a cropped area โ include the browser address bar, timestamps, and platform UI
- โข Make sure URLs are visible in the address bar or share link
- โข Include timestamps โ if the message shows a time, make sure it's in the screenshot
- โข On phones: use the built-in screenshot (Power + Volume Down on Android, Side + Volume Up on iPhone)
- โข On computers: use Snipping Tool (Windows), Screenshot (Mac: Cmd+Shift+3 for full screen), or print screen
- โข Take multiple screenshots of long conversations โ scroll and capture each section
๐ฅ Screen Recording for Video Evidence
- โข Use built-in screen recording: iPhone (Control Center โ Screen Recording), Android (Quick Settings โ Screen Record), Mac (Cmd+Shift+5), Windows (Win+G โ Record)
- โข Record scrolling through conversations to show full context
- โข Narrate while recording if helpful (e.g., "This is [platform], [date], showing messages from [username]")
- โข Save recordings in original quality โ don't compress or edit
๐พ Saving Chat Logs & Exports
- โข Instagram: Settings โ Your Activity โ Download Your Information โ select Messages
- โข Snapchat: Settings โ My Data โ Submit Request (takes up to 24 hours)
- โข Discord: Settings โ Privacy & Safety โ Request All of My Data
- โข TikTok: Settings โ Privacy โ Download Your Data
- โข WhatsApp: Open chat โ Tap name โ Export Chat (includes media option)
- โข Roblox: Screenshot chat logs directly โ Roblox doesn't offer a chat export feature
๐ Archiving Websites & Profiles
- โข Use the Wayback Machine (web.archive.org) โ paste the URL to save a timestamped copy
- โข Use archive.today (archive.ph) as a backup โ paste URL and click "save"
- โข These create permanent, timestamped records that prove content existed at a specific date
- โข Archive profiles, posts, and any public pages before they get deleted
๐ Chain of Custody Basics
- โข Never edit screenshots or recordings โ save originals exactly as captured
- โข Save originals to a dedicated folder (e.g., "Evidence - [Date]") and don't move them around
- โข Note the date and time you captured each piece of evidence
- โข Back up to a second location โ email them to yourself, save to a USB drive, or use cloud storage
- โข If possible, have a second person witness your evidence collection
๐ซ What NOT to Do
- โข Do NOT confront the predator โ this can cause them to delete evidence, flee, or escalate threats
- โข Do NOT delete any evidence โ even if it's upsetting, investigators need it
- โข Do NOT share CSAM with anyone โ it is illegal to possess or distribute, even to show police. Describe it instead.
- โข Do NOT continue conversations with the predator unless directed by law enforcement
- โข Do NOT post about it on social media โ this can tip off the predator and compromise the investigation
- โข Do NOT factory-reset the child's device โ critical evidence may be stored locally
Report to NCMEC CyberTipline
The CyberTipline is the centralized U.S. reporting system for online child sexual exploitation. Under federal law, electronic service providers are required to report to NCMEC โ and so can you.
- 1. Go to report.cybertip.org
- 2. Select the type of incident (enticement, sextortion, CSAM, etc.)
- 3. Fill out the form with as much detail as possible
- 4. Upload screenshots and evidence (NOT CSAM itself)
- 5. Submit โ NCMEC reviews and forwards to appropriate law enforcement
NCMEC processes reports and distributes them to the FBI, ICAC task forces, and local law enforcement. In 2024, they received 36.2 million reports.
Report to the FBI
The FBI investigates online child exploitation cases, especially those crossing state lines or involving organized networks.
FBI Field Office
Direct contact for urgent cases
Find your local officeBest for: active threats, organized exploitation
๐ Find Your ICAC Task Force
The Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force program includes 61 coordinated task forces across the U.S. representing over 5,400 federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies dedicated to investigating child exploitation.
Find your local ICAC Task Force โicactaskforce.org โ Search by state to find the task force covering your area.
Report to Local Law Enforcement
Your local police department can investigate and coordinate with state and federal agencies. Many jurisdictions now have dedicated units for online crimes against children, often as part of ICAC Task Forces (Internet Crimes Against Children).
What to Tell Police
- โข Your child's age and what happened
- โข All evidence you've documented (screenshots, usernames, URLs)
- โข Which platforms were involved
- โข Whether money was demanded or exchanged
- โข Whether you've already reported to NCMEC and/or FBI
- โข Ask specifically about their ICAC task force
What to Expect When Filing a Police Report
- โข You can file in person at your local police station or call the non-emergency line
- โข Bring all your documented evidence โ screenshots, URLs, usernames, timestamps
- โข Ask for a case number โ you'll need this for follow-ups and for referencing in other reports
- โข Request to speak with a detective who handles internet crimes or crimes against children
- โข The initial report may take 30โ60 minutes; be prepared to walk through the timeline
- โข Ask if your department is part of an ICAC Task Force โ if not, request they refer the case
โ๏ธ Your Rights as a Parent During the Investigation
- โข You have the right to receive updates on the status of the investigation
- โข You can request a victim advocate โ many departments have them specifically for child exploitation cases
- โข Your child has the right to a forensic interview conducted by a trained professional (not a standard police interrogation)
- โข You can request a protective order if the offender is identified and local
- โข Under the Crime Victims' Rights Act, you have the right to be informed about court proceedings and plea deals
- โข You are not required to hand over your child's device permanently โ ask about forensic imaging (they copy the data and return the device)
Report on the Platform
Report the content and account directly to the platform. Under the TAKE IT DOWN Act, platforms must remove flagged nonconsensual intimate imagery within 48 hours.
๐ทInstagram / Facebook
Safety page โโฑ Usually within 24 hours for child safety reports
Tap ยทยทยท on the post/profile โ Report โ Involves a child โ Follow prompts. For DMs: open conversation โ tap name โ Report.
Use facebook.com/help/reportchild to submit a detailed report with screenshots and context.
For urgent CSAM cases, email reports@facebook.com with subject line 'Child Safety Report.'
Meta prioritizes child safety reports and reviews them with a combination of AI and human moderators. Offending accounts are typically disabled within 24 hours. Meta also files a CyberTipline report with NCMEC automatically when CSAM is detected.
๐ตTikTok
Safety page โโฑ Typically 24โ48 hours; urgent child safety reports are expedited
Long press video โ Report โ Select 'Minor safety' or 'Sexual exploitation.' For DMs: tap and hold message โ Report.
Visit tiktok.com/legal/report/privacy and select child safety to file a detailed report.
Contact safety@tiktok.com for cases requiring urgent attention.
TikTok's Trust & Safety team reviews flagged content and can remove videos, ban accounts, and restrict search terms. They report confirmed CSAM to NCMEC and cooperate with law enforcement requests via their Law Enforcement Response Team.
๐ปSnapchat
Safety page โโฑ Child safety reports reviewed within 24 hours
Press and hold on a Snap/Story โ Report โ Select reason. For profiles: tap ยทยทยท โ Report.
Use support.snapchat.com/en-US/a/report-abuse-in-app for detailed submissions with attachments.
Snap's Safety Team doesn't have a direct hotline, but law enforcement can contact them via Snap's Law Enforcement Guide at snap.com/en-US/safety.
Snapchat preserves evidence for law enforcement even after content disappears. Reported accounts are reviewed, and offending users are banned. Snapchat files CyberTipline reports with NCMEC and responds to emergency disclosure requests from law enforcement within minutes.
๐ฎDiscord
Safety page โโฑ Child safety reports prioritized; typically reviewed within 24 hours
Right-click message โ Report โ Select 'Danger to a minor.' Include context about the situation.
Submit a Trust & Safety report at dis.gd/request with screenshots and message links.
Email trust@discord.com directly with evidence. Include server IDs, user IDs, and channel links.
Discord's Trust & Safety team investigates reports, removes content, and bans offending accounts. They proactively scan for CSAM using PhotoDNA and report to NCMEC. Discord cooperates with law enforcement and can provide account data, IP logs, and message history under legal process.
๐ฉRoblox
Safety page โโฑ Reports reviewed within 24 hours; urgent safety issues escalated immediately
Click ยทยทยท on the message/profile โ Report Abuse โ Select category and describe the situation. Include screenshot evidence.
Use the Roblox support form at en.help.roblox.com to file detailed reports about inappropriate contact with minors.
Contact info@roblox.com for urgent child safety concerns that need immediate attention.
Roblox uses both automated systems and human moderators to review reports. They can ban accounts, remove content, and restrict communication features. Roblox has a dedicated child safety team and reports CSAM to NCMEC. They also cooperate with ICAC task forces.
โถ๏ธYouTube
Safety page โโฑ Child safety reports are fast-tracked; content typically reviewed within 24 hours
Click ยทยทยท below video โ Report โ Select 'Child safety.' For comments: hover โ flag icon โ 'Child safety.'
Use support.google.com/youtube/answer/2802027 to file a detailed child exploitation report.
YouTube has a specific reporting tool for child exploitation at youtube.com/reportabuse โ select 'Content involving a minor.'
YouTube/Google uses hash-matching technology and AI to detect CSAM. Flagged content is removed, channels are terminated, and Google files CyberTipline reports with NCMEC. Google's legal team responds to law enforcement requests and emergency disclosure requests for imminent threats.
๐Twitter / X
Safety page โโฑ 24โ48 hours; child safety reports are prioritized
Click ยทยทยท on the post โ Report โ Select 'Abusive or harmful' โ Child safety.
File a report at help.twitter.com/en/safety-and-security/report-abusive-behavior.
X reviews child safety reports and removes violating content. Accounts distributing CSAM are permanently suspended. X reports to NCMEC and cooperates with law enforcement under legal process.
๐ฌWhatsApp
Safety page โโฑ Reports reviewed within 24โ48 hours
Open chat โ Tap contact name โ Report โ Confirm. Forward concerning messages to law enforcement if advised.
Contact support@whatsapp.com for child safety concerns not easily reported in-app.
WhatsApp uses unencrypted metadata (phone numbers, group info, timestamps) to investigate reports even though message content is end-to-end encrypted. Offending accounts are banned, and WhatsApp files CyberTipline reports with NCMEC based on available data.
What Happens After You Report
Understanding the timeline helps manage expectations. Investigations take time, but multiple agencies work simultaneously once reports are filed.
Platform Response
Most platforms review child safety reports within 24 hours. Under the TAKE IT DOWN Act, platforms must remove flagged nonconsensual intimate imagery of minors within 48 hours. Offending accounts are typically suspended. Platforms automatically file their own CyberTipline reports to NCMEC when CSAM is confirmed.
NCMEC Triage
NCMEC analysts review your CyberTipline report, cross-reference it with other reports and their hash database, and route it to the appropriate law enforcement agency. Reports involving U.S. victims are sent to the relevant ICAC Task Force or FBI field office. International cases are forwarded to law enforcement in the relevant country.
Law Enforcement Investigation Begins
The assigned agency reviews the report, may contact you for additional information, and begins their investigation. This may include subpoenaing records from platforms, analyzing IP addresses, and coordinating with other jurisdictions. Sextortion cases involving active threats are prioritized.
Investigation & Prosecution
Complex cases โ especially those involving multiple victims, international suspects, or organized networks โ can take months to a year or more. The investigation may result in arrests, indictments, and prosecution. You may be contacted as a witness. Federal child exploitation cases have a 93% conviction rate.
Victim Services & Advocacy
Throughout the process, victim services are available:
- โข RAINN โ 1-800-656-4673 โ free, confidential support 24/7
- โข NCMEC's Team HOPE โ peer support from parents who've been through similar situations
- โข FBI Victim Services โ assigned victim specialists for federal cases
- โข Thorn โ resources for removing intimate images of minors from the internet
- โข Take It Down (takeitdown.ncmec.org) โ free tool to help remove intimate images of minors from platforms
Next Steps for Your Family
Follow Up
Save your report confirmation numbers. Follow up with agencies after 1-2 weeks if you haven't heard back. Investigations take time, but persistence helps.
Support Your Child
Reassure them it's not their fault. Connect with a mental health professional. RAINN (1-800-656-4673) provides free, confidential support and therapist referrals.
Secure Devices
After evidence is preserved, work with your child to change passwords, review privacy settings, and block the offender across all platforms. Consider a new phone number if it was shared.
Related Resources
Warning Signs of Online Predators
Learn the behavioral and digital red flags that may indicate your child is being targeted.
How to Report an Online Predator
Our comprehensive guide to identifying and reporting predatory behavior online.
Conversation Guide for Parents
Age-appropriate scripts for talking to your child about online safety and what to do if something happens.
What Is Sextortion?
Understand how sextortion works, who it targets, and what to do if your child is a victim.