PanicStation.org
UK USA
us Sexual violence & highly sensitive situations sexual images of my child • nude images of my child • explicit photos of my child • child pornography discovered • child sexual images found • child exploitation suspected • online grooming suspected • coerced sexting suspected • blackmail for nudes • someone made my child send nudes • sexual photos on my child's phone • sexual videos on a device • csam found on device • child being pressured online • sextortion suspected • screenshots of my child nude • private images shared without consent • worried about online sexual abuse

What to do if…
you find sexual images of your child on a device and you suspect coercion or exploitation

Short answer

Make sure your child is safe, then report it through the right channels (911/local police if urgent; otherwise NCMEC CyberTipline) instead of trying to handle it alone.

Do not do these things

  • Don’t confront the suspected person or threaten them (it can increase risk and cause them to disappear).
  • Don’t forward, upload, or share the images with anyone “for advice” or “for proof.”
  • Avoid deleting anything, wiping the device, or digging for more content unless you need to check for an immediate safety risk (like a planned meeting or threats).
  • Don’t make your child re-tell the story to multiple people in the first hours.
  • Don’t punish your child in the moment (fear/shame can stop them from cooperating with help).

What to do now

  1. Check immediate safety. If your child is in danger right now, someone is trying to meet them, or you fear an immediate threat, call 911.
  2. Stabilize your child first. Say plainly: “You’re not in trouble. I’m here. We’re going to get help.” Keep them with a calm, trusted adult.
  3. Stop any active coercive contact. If your child is currently messaging the person, ask them to stop replying. Avoid deleting messages.
    • If you’re worried about ongoing pressure right now or remote sharing/syncing, it can help to pause connections (for example, airplane mode) and then stop using the device until you’ve had guidance.
  4. Report suspected exploitation to NCMEC. Make a report to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) CyberTipline.
  5. Also contact local law enforcement if needed. If there’s no immediate danger, call your local police department’s non-emergency number; if there is danger, call 911.
  6. If the image is of your child and may be shared online, consider “Take It Down”. NCMEC’s Take It Down tool can help stop/remove online sharing of nude/sexually explicit images or videos of someone under 18 without uploading the image.
  7. Get immediate support for your child (and you). If you need help deciding what to do next or emotional support right now, consider contacting the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline or a local child advocacy/abuse support service in your area.

If you may want to report this (now or later), try not to delete anything or share the images. Keep the device somewhere safe and stop using it until you’ve had guidance from law enforcement or a specialist service.

What can wait

  • You do not need to identify the perpetrator yourself or “collect evidence” by digging through everything tonight.
  • You do not need to decide immediately whether to tell school, other parents, or family.
  • You do not need a complete timeline from your child right now.
  • You do not need to make long-term decisions about device rules or social media access today.

Important reassurance

This is a lot to find, and it can feel unreal. Coercion and exploitation often work by fear, pressure, and threats. Your child’s immediate safety and getting the right help quickly matters more than perfect details.

Scope note

These are first steps only to reduce harm and connect you with the right reporting and support systems. Follow-up (platform steps, investigative steps, counseling, school coordination) should be guided by specialists and local authorities.

Important note

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

Additional Resources
Support us