uk Sexual violence & highly sensitive situations sent explicit content • may be underage • possible child image • suspect illegal image • explicit message received • unwanted sexual content • sexual image in chat • underage nude sent • explicit photo sent • explicit video sent • worried about child image • panicking after message • received disturbing image • image might involve minor • someone sent illegal content • sexual content from stranger • explicit content in dm • not sure their age • disturbing sexual message • child sexual image concern

What to do if…
you are sent explicit content that appears to involve someone who may be underage and you feel panicked

Short answer

Stop engaging with the content and move straight to reporting it through the platform and the main UK reporting route for suspected online child sexual abuse images or videos. If you think a child is in immediate danger, contact the police now.

Do not do these things

Do not forward it to anyone, even to ask what they think.
Do not reply to the sender to argue, threaten, or negotiate.
Do not keep reopening the content to check details.
Do not post about it publicly or share screenshots in group chats.
Do not try to work out the person’s age yourself.
Do not feel you have to be certain before reporting it.
If you may want to report it, use the platform’s reporting tools first and then follow any instructions the platform or police give you.

What to do now

Stop the interaction. Close the image, video, or chat, and do not continue the conversation with the sender.
Report it where it was sent. Use the app or website’s reporting tool for the account and the specific content. Then block or mute the sender if that helps stop further contact.
If it appears to be an online image or video of child sexual abuse, report it to the Internet Watch Foundation. The IWF accepts reports of suspected child sexual abuse images or videos online, including the web address where they appear.
If a child may be in immediate danger, contact police. Call 999 if there is immediate danger. If it is urgent but not an emergency, contact police on 101.
If you are under 18, or this involves grooming, pressure, or sexual abuse online, report to CEOP and tell a trusted adult. CEOP’s Safety Centre is for children and young people under 18 worried about online sexual abuse.
If this seems linked to a child you know, contact police or local children’s services rather than handling it yourself. If you need help working out how to raise the concern, the NSPCC Helpline can support you.
Contain further exposure once you have reported it. Leave the app closed, turn off message previews or notifications from that account if you can, and avoid going back into the chat unless the platform or police ask you to do something specific.

What can wait

You do not need to work out exactly what offence this is, decide today whether to make every possible report, or explain the whole situation perfectly. You also do not need to keep looking at the content to be “sure”.

Important reassurance

Feeling shocked, sick, frozen, or scared after seeing something like this is a normal reaction. The safest first move is usually to stop the spread, put it into the proper reporting route, and let specialist services handle the next stage.

Scope note

This is first steps only. Later decisions about reporting, safeguarding, or support may need specialist help.

Important note

This is general information, not legal or mental health advice. The right next step can depend on your age, where the content was sent, and whether there is an immediate risk to a child.

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What to do if…you are sent explicit content that appears to involve someone who may be underage and you feel panicked