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uk Sexual violence & highly sensitive situations child online sexual threats • child sextortion scam • sexual images blackmail child • threatened for nudes child • threatened for money online child • online grooming threat • stranger demanding explicit pictures • someone has my child’s nudes • blackmail over snapchat • blackmail over instagram dm • blackmail over whatsapp • online predator threatening child • intimate images shared under 18 • scared to tell parent sextortion • urgent help child online abuse • stop them sharing photos • “pay or i’ll send it” threat • “send more or i’ll post it”

What to do if…
your child says someone online is threatening them for sexual images or money

Short answer

Get your child to a calm, safe space and make it clear they are not in trouble. Do not pay or send anything—note the key account details safely, block/report the account, and report it to CEOP; if there’s immediate danger call 999, and if it’s not immediate danger you can also report to the police via 101/online.

Do not do these things

  • Don’t pay, send gift cards/crypto, or negotiate “just to make it stop” (demands usually escalate).
  • Don’t tell your child off, threaten punishments, or take their phone away as a first reaction (it can stop them sharing key info and make them feel trapped).
  • Don’t forward, download, or re-share any sexual images (especially of an under-18).
  • Don’t contact the blackmailer yourself in an emotional back-and-forth or make threats—keep communication minimal and focused on safety.
  • Don’t rush into deleting accounts/chats before you’ve noted the essentials (you may lose key identifiers needed for reports).

What to do now

  1. Stabilise your child first (right now). Sit with them, lower the pressure (“You did the right thing telling me”), and stay physically nearby if they’re shaken. If you’re worried they might hurt themselves or you can’t keep them safe, call 999.
  2. Check for immediate safety risks. Ask: “Do they know where you live or go to school?” “Have they threatened to come in person?” If there’s any credible immediate risk or an adult is trying to meet them, call 999.
  3. Preserve key details (focus on identifiers and threats). On paper or in a notes app, record:
    • account usernames/handles, display names, phone numbers/emails (if shown)
    • platform/app name and any profile links
    • date/time of threats and what was demanded (money, more images, a live video call)
    • any payment details they gave (bank, wallet address, gift card brand) If you capture screenshots for reporting, prioritise the threat messages, profile page, usernames, and payment demands. Avoid saving/copying/sharing explicit images of an under-18; if an explicit image appears on screen, don’t save it—focus on the non-explicit context and identifiers.
  4. Block and report the account in the app. Use the platform’s in-app “report” function for sexual exploitation/blackmail and then block the account. Tighten privacy settings (limit who can DM, add, tag, or see stories; turn off contact from unknown accounts where possible).
  5. Report to CEOP. Make a report to CEOP’s Child Protection Advisors if you’re worried about online sexual abuse or how someone has been communicating with your child. You can also report to your local police via 101/online (especially if there’s a credible criminal threat, repeated targeting, or you can’t safely manage the situation).
  6. Use “Report Remove” if images may already be shared. If your child is under 18 in the UK and there are nude/sexual images or videos of them online (or being threatened), help them use Report Remove (Childline + IWF) to confidentially report it and seek removal where possible.
  7. If money has been sent (or you’re about to): stop and contact the bank/card provider immediately. Ask them to stop/recall a transfer or flag fraud. Keep any transaction references for reporting.
  8. If school is involved, use safeguarding channels. If the threat involves school peers, school devices, or your child is too distressed to attend, contact the school’s Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and share only the essentials (no images).

What can wait

  • You do not need to decide today whether to confront other parents, the school, or the wider family.
  • You do not need to do a deep forensic “investigation” of your child’s phone right now—focus on safety, reporting, and stabilising them.
  • You do not need to write a perfect account; rough notes of usernames, dates, and demands are enough to start.

Important reassurance

This is a common tactic used to frighten young people into secrecy. Your child telling you is a strong protective step. Even if your child shared something, the wrongdoing is the threatening/blackmailing behaviour—not your child.

Scope note

These are first steps to reduce harm and get the right people involved quickly. Follow-up (platform processes, police updates, school safeguarding plans, emotional support) can happen once the immediate pressure has eased.

Important note

This guide is general information, not legal advice or a substitute for professional safeguarding support. If you believe a child is in immediate danger, call 999.

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