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uk Sexual violence & highly sensitive situations prove your age with id photo • asked for photo of id online • send passport photo for age check • send driving licence photo online • “show me your id” sexting • age verification before sexual chat • dating app asks for id photo • stranger wants id picture • id photo request blackmail risk • sextortion warning signs • sexual chat age check pressure • “prove you’re 18” request • catfish asks for id • intimate chat verification demand • coercion to share identity documents • worried about grooming online • someone won’t continue unless id sent • fear they will share screenshots

What to do if…
someone asks you to prove your age with a photo of your ID before sexual chatting continues

Short answer

Pause the conversation and do not send a photo of your ID. Treat this as a high-risk situation for coercion, blackmail, or identity misuse, and move to safer, platform-based verification (or end contact).

Do not do these things

  • Don’t send a photo of your passport, driving licence, or any ID “just to reassure them”, even if they seem polite or say it’s “standard”.
  • Don’t be talked into sending a “quick selfie with ID” — that can be used for identity fraud or leveraged for threats.
  • Don’t pay money, send gift cards, or comply with escalating demands (this commonly increases pressure, not reduces it).
  • Don’t keep negotiating while you feel rushed, guilty, or scared. Pressure is a warning sign.
  • Don’t delete everything in a panic if you think you may report — disabling/deactivating an account can preserve access/history better than wiping it.

What to do now

  1. Stop and create a safety pause. Say “I don’t share ID photos. If you need age verification, use the app’s verification tools.” Then stop replying for a bit.
  2. Keep your identity documents private. If you’re unsure whether you’ve already shared identifying details (full name, address, school/work), assume the safest option: share nothing more.
  3. Shift to safer verification or end contact.
    • If this is happening on a dating/social platform, look for in-app age/identity verification features, or ask them to use those instead.
    • If there’s no safe, built-in way to verify age: end the conversation. You don’t owe anyone proof.
  4. Reduce immediate risk on the platform. Use in-app tools to block the account and report the behaviour (especially if they pressured you, threatened you, or asked for ID after sexual talk began).
  5. If you feel pressured, threatened, or blackmailed: treat it like sextortion.
    • Stop communication with the person.
    • If you’re in immediate danger call 999. If it’s not an emergency, you can contact police on 101 or report online.
  6. If you’re under 18, or unsure about the other person’s age/intent: make a report to CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection). If you’re an adult but you’re worried a child is involved, you can report concerns to CEOP too.
  7. If fraud/identity misuse is a concern: report it via Report Fraud (Action Fraud).
    • If you live in Scotland, use Police Scotland (101 for non-emergency).
  8. If you might want to report later (optional): take a couple of screenshots showing the ID demand, threats, usernames, and the platform name/date — then stop. Don’t spend ages collecting “perfect evidence”.

What can wait

  • You don’t need to decide right now whether to make a formal police report.
  • You don’t need to “explain yourself” to the person or prove you’re a good person.
  • You don’t need to figure out whether they were “really” a scammer before you block/report.
  • You don’t need to review the whole chat history tonight — do the minimum to get safe.

Important reassurance

Feeling panicked, embarrassed, or frozen is a very normal reaction to sudden sexual pressure and identity demands. A request for an ID photo is not a normal prerequisite for sexual chatting — you are allowed to stop, block, and protect yourself without debate.

Scope note

This is first-steps-only guidance to reduce immediate harm (privacy, coercion, blackmail risk). If there are threats, ongoing contact, or fear of exposure, specialist support and police reporting options may be appropriate next.

Important note

This is general information, not legal advice. If you are in immediate danger call 999. If you are under 18 or worried about a child being targeted, prioritise reporting to CEOP and getting support from a trusted adult or safeguarding service.

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