Making a Complaint to a Social Media Platform
Social media platforms operating in the UK are regulated by Ofcom under the Online Safety Act 2023. They have legal duties to have accessible reporting mechanisms and to act on reports of illegal or harmful content. Knowing how to use each platform's reporting tool effectively — and how to escalate if the platform does not act — gives you the best chance of getting harmful content removed quickly.
Immediate danger — call 999
If content on a platform is directly connected to an immediate risk to a child's safety, call 999 first. Platform complaints are not emergency services.
What to report
- •Abusive, threatening, or harmful content targeting a child
- •Accounts that appear to be grooming or contacting children inappropriately
- •Sexual content involving children or accounts promoting it
- •Content promoting self-harm, suicide, or eating disorders seen by a child
- •Impersonation of a child or of you to cause harm
How to report
TikTok — in-app report
When to use
For content or accounts on TikTok
How to contact
Hold your finger on the video or comment → Report → Select the most relevant category. For accounts: go to the profile → three dots top right → Report. For child safety issues, select 'Minor Safety'. Screenshot your report.
What to expect
TikTok reviews reports within 24–48 hours for most content. Serious child safety reports are escalated. TikTok will notify you of the action taken. If no action is taken within 48 hours, escalate to Ofcom.
Snapchat — in-app report
When to use
For content or accounts on Snapchat
How to contact
Hold on a message or snap → Report → Choose the appropriate reason. For accounts: press and hold on the profile icon → Manage Friendship → Report. Use Snapchat's dedicated safety site at snap.com/en-GB/safety/safety-reporting.
What to expect
Snapchat routes child safety reports to their Trust & Safety team. Response can be within hours for serious cases. Screenshot the report before submitting.
Instagram / Facebook (Meta) — in-app report
When to use
For content or accounts on Instagram or Facebook
How to contact
For posts: three dots top right → Report. For accounts: go to profile → three dots → Report. For child safety, select 'It's inappropriate' → 'Nudity or sexual activity' or 'It's about a child'. Report via both apps if content appears on both.
What to expect
Meta routes child safety reports through its specialised team. They also have the Take It Down tool (takeitdown.ncmec.org) for images of minors. Response times vary but serious reports are usually acted on within 24 hours.
YouTube — in-app / website report
When to use
For content on YouTube
How to contact
Three dots below a video → Report → Select most relevant category. For serious child safety content, select 'Violent or repulsive content' or 'Child abuse'. You can also report at youtube.com/reportabuse.
What to expect
YouTube prioritises child safety reports and routes them to specialist reviewers. Content found to violate their child safety policy is removed and may be reported to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.
Ofcom escalation (if platform fails to act)
When to use
If the platform has not acted on your report within a reasonable time (typically 48–72 hours for serious content)
How to contact
Report at ofcom.org.uk/complaints/online-safety. Select 'I've reported content to a platform and it hasn't been dealt with properly' or 'A platform isn't doing enough to protect children'. Provide your platform report reference number.
What to expect
Ofcom cannot remove individual content but will investigate whether the platform is meeting its legal duties. Systematic failures can result in significant fines. Your complaint feeds into Ofcom's regulatory oversight.
Evidence checklist
Gather this information before or during your report. Do not delay reporting while collecting evidence — but preserve what you can.
- URL or direct link to the content (use 'Copy link' on the post or copy from browser)
- Screenshot of the content showing the account name, timestamp, and content
- Platform reference number from your in-app report
- Date and time you submitted the in-app report
- Platform's response to your report (or screenshot showing no response after 48 hours)
- Screenshots of any relevant messages if the concern involves direct contact
What to say
You do not need to use a script, but this template may help if you are nervous about making the call. Adapt it to your circumstances.
"I am making a complaint about [content / account] on [platform]. The content at [URL] / the account [username] has [description of harm — e.g. sent unsolicited contact to my child / posted self-harm content visible to children / shared intimate images of a minor]. I reported this to the platform using their in-app report tool on [date] and [have not received a response / was told no action would be taken]. I believe this content is in breach of [the platform's community standards / the Online Safety Act 2023]. I am requesting urgent review."
What happens next
Platform reports may result in content removal, account suspension, or referral to law enforcement in serious cases. If escalated to Ofcom, your complaint will be logged and may contribute to a regulatory investigation. Keep records of all reports and responses, as these may be useful if the situation escalates to police involvement.
What not to do
- ✗Do not only use one report method — report via in-app tool, then escalate to Ofcom if not resolved
- ✗Do not delete your screenshots before the report is resolved
- ✗Do not share the harmful content yourself in order to report it
- ✗Do not assume the platform's decision is final — you can escalate to Ofcom
Frequently asked questions
The platform reviewed my report and said the content doesn't violate their rules — what can I do?
You can appeal the decision within the platform (most now offer an appeals process under the Online Safety Act). You can also report to Ofcom if you believe the platform's rules themselves fail to protect children, or if the content is illegal regardless of platform rules.
Does reporting flag my account to the person I'm reporting?
No. Platform reports are anonymous. The person you report will not be notified that you were the one who reported them.
Sources and further information
- Meta — Reporting Abuse — Meta
- TikTok — Safety Centre — TikTok
This guidance is for informational purposes. It is not a substitute for emergency services or professional safeguarding support. If a child is in immediate danger, call 999 (UK) or 911 (US) now.
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Last reviewed: 2026-04-19. This page provides general educational information, not legal or professional safeguarding advice. UK helplines and legislation may change — verify current details with the relevant organisation.