Learn to report abuse
COVID-19 has led children to spend more time online than ever before. One year ago, we saw the beginning of a massive shift: from classrooms to computers, playdates to video calls, and playgrounds to video games. Today, studies in some countries suggest children’s time on digital platforms has increased by up to 500%.
Though the internet provides countless opportunities for children, it is not without risk – including the threat of online child sexual exploitation and abuse. Even before COVID-19, 750,000 individuals around the world were estimated to be looking to connect with children online for sexual purposes, with the main target being children under age 13. And in 2020, more than 21.7 million reports of child sexual abuse imagery were reported to NCMEC – the highest number in the organisation’s history.
We all have a responsibility to speak up for children's safety online, including parents, teachers, communities, governments and technology companies. If you think someone you know might be in danger, do not wait another moment. Report abuse (or suspected abuse) today.
The collection of resources below will help you do so.
Report child sexual abuse now
If you or someone you know is in danger, contact the police or emergency services in your country as soon as possible. If you see something, you have a responsibility to say something – for the good of children everywhere.
Seek help and report abuse
Check out Child Helpline International's global list of helplines and locate one in your country. Through these helplines, trained professionals will respond to your messages and provide the information you need – confidentially.
Report images, videos and websites with child sexual abuse material
Explore the global list of INHOPE hotlines to find out if there is one in your country. You can also report directly to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children's Cybertipline or through the Internet Watch Foundation's reporting portals.
Report child sexual abuse on social media platforms
Many social media companies have embedded reporting mechanisms into their platforms.
- How to report on Facebook
- How to report on Google
- Parent resources on Roblox
- Remove and Block Friends and Report Abuse on Snapchat
- Parents’ Safety Center, Parental Guide and Family Pairing on TikTok
- How to report on Twitter
Learn more about keeping children safe online
Quick fixes
- Set up parental controls
- Turn on SafeSearch on your browser
- Always set up strict privacy settings on online applications and games
- Keep the online safety talk going during COVID-19
Make sure your children are social media ready and teach them to report abuse
- Common Sense Media offers advice for age-appropriate apps, games and online entertainment. Check if your teenagers know how to report inappropriate content and help them set up strict privacy settings with the eSafety Guide.
- Build safe online habits and a Family Tech Agreement (also available for families with children under age 5). This will help establish a healthy balance between online time and other activities, especially for younger children.
- Stay engaged in children’s online experiences, and spend time with your children and teenagers online. Check out these online safety activity packs for children of all ages, or ask your teenagers to explore this Digital Reputation Checklist.
- Google has built family tools, including Family Link, that help protect and support children online.
- Explore YouTube Kids for safer, more contained experiences for children.
Explore more resources
- Australia eSafety Commissioner's guides for parents to keep children safe online and staying safe on applications, games and social media
- Google provides online safety lessons for schools and families via Be Internet Awesome
- Microsoft's guides for preventing online grooming and sexting, protecting young children online and keeping kids safe
- Snapchat's 10 tips for parents and Parent Guide
- TikTok's Youth Portal
Playdate with a Predator
For shorter versions of this PSA, please click here for a 15-second clip and here for a 10-second clip.
Wizard Quest
For shorter versions of this PSA, please click here for a 15-second clip and here for a 10-second clip.
End Violence teamed up with our partners in the technology sector – Microsoft, Twitter, TikTok and Roblox – to boost awareness of online sexual exploitation and abuse of young people across the globe.
Together, we have created two videos that help illustrate some of the risks children face online, with a focus on sexual exploitation and abuse. We have also collected a set of resources to help tackle them, including essential reporting helplines, hotlines and social media platforms.
Universal internet access is predicted by, at the very latest, 2050 – and COVID-19 has only sped up that process. This expansion will bring about unprecedented opportunities and incredible connections. But to truly harness those benefits, we need to make the internet safe for its most vulnerable users: our children.
