Reporting Suspicious Online Contact with a Child
Suspicious online contact is when an adult attempts to communicate with a child online in a way that raises concern — asking personal questions, seeking private communication, sending gifts, or appearing to have a romantic interest in a child. It does not need to have escalated to grooming or abuse for a report to be appropriate. Early reporting may prevent harm.
Immediate danger — call 999
If a child is in immediate physical danger or has arranged to meet an adult they have been speaking to online, call 999 immediately.
What to report
- •An unknown adult making persistent contact with a child online
- •An adult asking a child for their address, school name, phone number, or photographs
- •Someone expressing romantic or sexual interest in a child
- •An adult asking a child to keep their communication secret from parents or carers
- •A child who seems anxious, secretive, or distressed following online contact
How to report
Save evidence first
When to use
Before doing anything else — take screenshots before blocking or reporting on the platform
How to contact
Screenshot all messages, profile details, and any images sent. Note the username, platform, date, and time. Do this before blocking, as some platforms remove the ability to view conversation history after blocking.
What to expect
Evidence preserved now will be critical for any police or CEOP investigation. Store screenshots securely and do not share them publicly.
CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection)
When to use
When an adult has made inappropriate contact with a child online and you are concerned about their intentions
How to contact
Report at ceop.police.uk/ceop-reporting/. You can report on behalf of a child. Provide as much detail as possible about the contact, including the username and platform.
What to expect
CEOP specialists will assess the report and may open an investigation. They are connected to global law enforcement and can identify and act against individuals regardless of their location.
NSPCC Helpline
When to use
When you need advice on what to do or how serious the contact is
How to contact
Call 0808 800 5000 (free, 24/7). NSPCC advisers can help you assess the situation and advise on next steps.
What to expect
NSPCC can help you decide whether to report to CEOP or police, support you in talking to your child about the contact, and refer to other services if needed.
Platform reporting and blocking
When to use
After preserving evidence — report the account and then block the individual on every platform
How to contact
Use the in-app report function on each platform to report the account as suspicious or as contacting a minor inappropriately. Then block the account.
What to expect
Most platforms will review the report and may suspend the account. They will not usually provide information about the outcome. Blocking prevents further contact from that account but does not prevent the person creating a new one.
Evidence checklist
Gather this information before or during your report. Do not delay reporting while collecting evidence — but preserve what you can.
- Screenshots of all messages, including profile name and any bio or photos on their profile
- The platform or app used, and the exact username
- Dates and times of contact — especially the first message
- Any images, videos, or files sent by the adult
- Any other platforms the adult has mentioned or attempted to move the conversation to
- Notes of what the child has told you about the 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 reporting suspicious online contact with a child aged [age]. An adult using the username [username] on [platform] has been contacting the child since [date]. The messages have included [brief description — e.g. personal questions / attempts to arrange a meeting / requests for photos]. I have screenshots. I am concerned this may be grooming behaviour and I want this investigated."
What happens next
CEOP or police will assess the contact and determine whether it amounts to grooming or another offence. They may ask you to preserve further evidence or to have no further contact with the account. The platform may be contacted for account information. If the child is assessed to be at ongoing risk, a safeguarding referral to children's services may follow.
What not to do
- ✗Do not engage with the adult or respond to their messages
- ✗Do not delete messages before saving screenshots
- ✗Do not attempt to identify or track down the person yourself
- ✗Do not confront the adult, online or in person
- ✗Do not tell the child off for having received the contact — they may need reassurance that they are not in trouble
Frequently asked questions
The messages haven't been explicitly sexual — is it still worth reporting?
Yes. Grooming is a gradual process and the early stages often involve seemingly innocent contact. CEOP and police can assess whether the contact pattern is concerning even before explicit content has been shared. Early reporting can prevent escalation.
What if the adult claims to be another young person?
Adults who groom children often claim to be teenagers. Report to CEOP regardless — they can investigate the true identity of the account holder. Do not assume an online contact is who they say they are.
Sources and further information
- CEOP Safety Centre — NCA / CEOP
- NSPCC — Online Safety Advice — NSPCC
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.