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Get help

Worried about a child online?

You've done the right thing by looking for help. Here is what to do, one step at a time.

If a child is in immediate danger

Call your local emergency number now. Choose your country above to see it.

Need more help after that? ShieldKid can help you find the right support. Call +234 902 421 5847 or send us a message. We typically reply within 1 to 2 business days.

What to do next

  1. 1

    Stay calm and listen

    Thank them for telling you. Don't blame them, even if they broke a rule. They need to know they did the right thing.

  2. 2

    Stop the contact

    Help them stop replying. Don't contact or confront the other person yourself.

  3. 3

    Write down what happened

    Note usernames, links, dates and what was said. Do not save, forward or share any images or videos of a child, even to report them. Doing so can be against the law. Report them instead.

  4. 4

    Block and report on the app or game

    Every major platform has a way to report accounts and content. Links are below.

  5. 5

    Report it and get support

    Contact the right service from the list below. Keep checking in with the child in the days after.

Who to contact

Choose your country to see who to contact. Our team checked these contacts in November 2026. Numbers can change, so if one doesn't work, call your emergency number or contact us.

Emergency

Emergency services

For a child in immediate danger.

Choose your country above.

Police

Police and cybercrime reporting

For online crimes against children, including grooming, threats and blackmail.

Choose your country above.

Helpline

Child helpline

Free advice for a child, or for an adult worried about a child.

Choose your country above.

Report abuse images

Take It Down

If nude or sexual images of someone under 18 have been shared, or someone is threatening to share them, Take It Down can help remove them. It works in any country, and the images never leave your device.

Go to takeitdown.ncmec.org

Wellbeing

Emotional support

Support for a child, or for you, after something upsetting.

Choose your country above.

Not sure?

Ask ShieldKid

We're not an emergency service, but we can help you find the right support wherever you are. We typically reply within 1 to 2 business days.

Call +234 902 421 5847Send us a message

Report on the app or game

Choose an app to see how to report and block on it. Save evidence first (usernames, links, dates, screenshots of messages), because blocking can hide it.

WhatsApp

Report a contact or chat

  1. Open the chat.
  2. Tap the contact's name or the three dots (⋮), then More.
  3. Tap Report, then Report again. The last few messages are sent to WhatsApp for review.

Block them

  1. In the chat, tap the three dots (⋮), then More and Block.
  2. Leave Report to WhatsApp ticked to report at the same time, then tap Block.

A group

  1. You can't block a group. Leave the group, and block or report the person who added the child.

Steps from WhatsApp's help centre. Apps change their menus from time to time. See WhatsApp's own reporting help

TikTok

Report a video

  1. Press and hold on the video, or tap the Share arrow.
  2. Tap Report, choose a reason and follow the steps.

Report an account

  1. Go to the person's profile.
  2. Tap the Share arrow or the three dots at the top, then Report.
  3. Choose a reason and submit.

Report a comment or message

  1. Press and hold the comment or message, then tap Report.

Block them

  1. On their profile, tap the Share arrow, then Block.

Steps from TikTok's help centre. Apps change their menus from time to time. See TikTok's own reporting help

Instagram

Report a post

  1. Tap the three dots (⋯) at the top of the post.
  2. Tap Report and follow the on-screen steps.

Report an account

  1. Go to their profile.
  2. Tap the three dots (⋯) next to their username.
  3. Tap Report, choose what you're reporting and follow the steps.

Report a message

  1. In the chat, press and hold the message, then tap Report.

Good to know

  1. Reports are anonymous. The person won't know who reported them.

Steps from Instagram's help centre. Apps change their menus from time to time. See Instagram's own reporting help

Snapchat

Report an account

  1. Go to the Chat screen and press and hold the person's name.
  2. Tap Manage Friendship, then Report.

Report a Snap or Story

  1. Press and hold the Snap or Story.
  2. Tap Report Snap.

Report a chat message

  1. Press and hold the message, then tap Report.

Can't use the app?

  1. Use Snapchat's online safety reporting form on its support site.

Steps from Snapchat's help centre. Apps change their menus from time to time. See Snapchat's own reporting help

Facebook

Report a post

  1. Tap the three dots (⋯) at the top of the post.
  2. Tap Report post and follow the steps.

Report a profile

  1. Go to the profile and tap the three dots (⋯) under their name.
  2. Tap Report profile and follow the steps.

Report a message (Messenger)

  1. Open the chat and tap the person's name at the top.
  2. Tap Report and follow the steps.

Images of a child being harmed

  1. Report it, don't share it. Facebook has a special reporting route for images of a child being abused or exploited.

Steps from Facebook's help centre. Apps change their menus from time to time. See Facebook's own reporting help

YouTube

Report a video

  1. Under the video, tap More, then Report.
  2. Choose the reason that fits best and tap Report.

Report a comment

  1. Tap More next to the comment, then Report.
  2. Choose a reason and tap Report.

Report a channel

  1. Go to the channel page, tap More or the three dots, then Report user.

Steps from YouTube's help centre. Apps change their menus from time to time. See YouTube's own reporting help

Roblox

Report something in a game

  1. Tap the Menu button (three lines) at the top left of the screen.
  2. Tap the shield icon labelled Report.
  3. Choose whether you're reporting an Experience or a Person.
  4. Pick what happened from the lists, add a short description, then tap Submit.

Report or block a user

  1. Go to their profile and tap the three dots next to the chat option.
  2. Tap Report or Block.

For parents

  1. You can also report or block from your child's account: go to Settings, then Parental Controls, then your child's Communications.

Steps from Roblox's help centre. Apps change their menus from time to time. See Roblox's own reporting help

If you're a young person reading this

You are not in trouble.

If something online has made you feel scared, worried or uncomfortable, it is not your fault. Tell an adult you trust: a parent, carer, teacher, or another grown-up you feel safe with.

If there's no adult you can tell, fill in the form below. ShieldKid will read it and try to get you help where you live.

In danger right now? Call your emergency number: choose your country in the form to see it.

Is there a parent, guardian or other adult we could contact for you? (optional)

Only fill this in if it's safe. Leave it blank if that adult is part of the problem.

Choose a way that's safe for you, not a phone or email that the person upsetting you can see. We'll keep what you tell us private. If we think you are in danger, we may share it with people whose job is to keep you safe. We're not an emergency service, and we typically reply within 1 to 2 business days.