PanicStation.org
UK USA
us Sexual violence & highly sensitive situations

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

Produced and maintained by PanicStation.org Published: Last reviewed: Editorial policy USA guide

Short answer

First make sure your child is safe and not about to meet or contact the person. Do not share, forward, or delete the images; report suspected child sexual exploitation to NCMEC’s CyberTipline, and call 911 or local police immediately if there is current danger.

Do not do these things

  • Do not confront, threaten, or bargain with the suspected person.
  • Do not forward, upload, copy, print, or share the images with anyone for advice or proof.
  • Do not post about it online or ask other people to identify the person.
  • Do not delete messages, wipe the device, reset accounts, or keep searching through content unless you need to check for an immediate safety risk.
  • Do not make your child repeat the story to several people in the first hours.
  • Do not punish, shame, or interrogate your child in the moment.

What to do now

  1. Check immediate safety. If your child is in danger now, someone is trying to meet them, or there are threats of immediate harm, call 911 or local police immediately.
  2. Get your child to a calm, safer pause. Keep them with a trusted adult and say plainly: “You’re not in trouble. I’m here. We’re going to get help.”
  3. Stop active contact without escalating it. If your child is currently messaging the person, ask them to stop replying. Do not send warnings, threats, or fake messages back.
  4. Protect the device without investigating. Avoid opening more files than necessary. If you are worried about ongoing pressure, remote sharing, or syncing, you may put the device in airplane mode, then stop using it and keep it somewhere safe until you have guidance.
  5. Report suspected exploitation to NCMEC. Use the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children CyberTipline to report suspected online child sexual exploitation.
  6. Contact local law enforcement when needed. If there is no immediate danger but you believe a crime may have happened or the suspected person may be nearby, call your local police department’s non-emergency number and ask how they want you to preserve the device.
  7. Use Take It Down if images may be online. If the image or video is of your child and was taken before they were 18, NCMEC’s Take It Down service may help remove or stop sharing on participating public or unencrypted online platforms without the image leaving your device.
  8. Get support for the next step. If you need help talking through what to do or where abuse can be reported in your state, contact the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline.

What can wait

  • You do not need to identify the perpetrator yourself.
  • You do not need to collect a complete timeline tonight.
  • You do not need to decide now whether to tell school, other parents, relatives, or friends.
  • You do not need to decide long-term phone rules, social media rules, or discipline today.
  • You do not need to make your child explain every detail before you ask for help.

Important reassurance

Finding this can feel shocking and unreal. Coercion and exploitation often work through fear, secrecy, pressure, and threats. Your child’s safety, calm support, and connection to the right help matter more than perfect details.

Scope note

These are first steps only to reduce harm, avoid irreversible mistakes, and connect you with reporting and support systems. Later decisions about platforms, counseling, school, legal issues, or investigation may need guidance from specialist services and local authorities.

Important note

This is general information, not legal, medical, therapeutic, investigative, or other professional advice. If you believe a child is in immediate danger, call emergency services.

Additional Resources

Closely connected guides that may be useful during the same situation or its immediate aftermath.

About this guide

This guide was produced and is maintained by PanicStation.org using its published editorial process. Official and specialist sources are checked where relevant, and AI-assisted tools may be used for drafting, organisation, and consistency checks. The site operator remains responsible for publication, revision, and removal decisions.

Support us