Report Child Exploitation
Submit a report involving suspected online child exploitation, grooming, sextortion, trafficking, or other child safety concerns.
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INVESTIGATION AREA
Child Exploitation Awareness & Reporting
Child exploitation involves the abuse or exploitation of children through online platforms, communication services, digital technology, or other criminal activities. Prompt reporting can help protect children and support appropriate investigative action.
Learn how to recognize warning signs, preserve digital evidence safely, protect children online, and report suspected child exploitation through the National Cyber Intelligence Center.
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Access reporting tools, child online safety guidance, evidence preservation information, and educational resources related to suspected child exploitation.
Child Online Safety
Learn practical steps for protecting children online, identifying risks, and encouraging safe digital behavior.
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Learn what information can safely be preserved before submitting a report.
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UNDERSTANDING CHILD EXPLOITATION
What Is Child Exploitation?
Child exploitation involves the abuse or manipulation of children for criminal purposes. It may occur online or offline and can include grooming, coercion, trafficking, financial exploitation, or other illegal activities targeting children.
Online child exploitation often involves offenders using social media, messaging applications, gaming platforms, live-streaming services, or other digital technologies to contact, manipulate, or exploit children.
Offenders frequently build trust over time, conceal their identity, and use manipulation, deception, intimidation, or threats to control victims or obtain personal information and images.
Prompt reporting and preservation of available evidence can assist in protecting children and supporting intelligence analysis and investigative coordination.
TAKE ACTION
Concerned About a Child's Safety?
If you suspect a child may be experiencing online exploitation or another form of abuse, preserve available evidence and submit a report as soon as possible.
WARNING SIGNS
Possible Indicators of Child Exploitation
While every situation is different, certain behaviors or online interactions may indicate that a child is being targeted or exploited. These indicators should be taken seriously and reported when appropriate.
1
Secretive Online Communication
A child suddenly becomes unusually secretive about online activities, contacts, or messaging platforms.
2
Contact From Unknown Adults
Unknown individuals repeatedly communicate with a child through social media, games, messaging apps, or other online services.
3
Requests for Personal Information
Someone asks the child to share personal details, private photographs, videos, location information, or other sensitive information.
4
Gifts or Financial Incentives
A child receives unexpected gifts, money, gaming credits, or other rewards from someone known only online.
5
Pressure to Keep Conversations Secret
The child is encouraged to hide online conversations or interactions from parents, guardians, teachers, or other trusted adults.
COMMON FORMS
Common Forms of Child Exploitation
Child exploitation can occur through many different methods both online and offline. Offenders frequently use technology to identify, contact, and manipulate children.
Online Grooming
Building trust with a child over time in order to manipulate or exploit them.
Sextortion
Threatening or coercing a child using private images, videos, or personal information.
Social Media Exploitation
Using social networking platforms to contact, manipulate, or deceive children through fake identities or misleading communications.
Gaming Platform Exploitation
Contact initiated through multiplayer games, live chat features, or gaming communities.
Messaging Applications
Private messaging services may be used to build trust, isolate victims, or request personal information.
Live Streaming Platforms
Some offenders misuse live-streaming services to contact, manipulate, or exploit children.
WHO MAY BE AFFECTED
Who Can Be Affected?
Any child using internet-connected devices or digital communication platforms may be exposed to exploitation attempts. Parents, guardians, educators, and caregivers also play an important role in prevention and reporting.
Children & Teenagers
Young people using social media, messaging apps, gaming platforms, and online communities may be targeted by offenders.
Parents & Guardians
Families should remain informed about children's online activities and encourage open communication about internet safety.
Schools & Educators
Teachers and school staff may identify warning signs and support appropriate safeguarding and reporting procedures.
Community Members
Anyone who becomes aware of suspected child exploitation should preserve available information and report their concerns promptly.
PREVENTION
Helping Protect Children Online
Parents, guardians, educators, and communities all play an important role in helping children use digital technology safely and reducing opportunities for exploitation.
- Encourage open conversations about online safety.
- Teach children never to share personal information with strangers online.
- Review privacy settings on social media and gaming platforms.
- Discuss safe online friendships and communication.
- Report suspicious online behavior immediately.
- Keep devices, apps, and parental controls updated.
- Remind children they can seek help from a trusted adult if something online makes them uncomfortable.
- Monitor online activity in an age-appropriate and supportive manner.
TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION
What To Do If You Suspect Child Exploitation
Acting promptly while preserving available information may assist child protection efforts and support investigative authorities.
1
Ensure Immediate Safety
Prioritize the child's immediate safety and prevent further contact where possible.
2
Preserve Available Evidence
Save screenshots, usernames, profile links, conversations, dates, and other available information without altering the material.
3
Do Not Continue Communication
Avoid engaging with suspected offenders after preserving relevant information.
4
Report the Incident
Submit a report as soon as possible with all available information.
5
Continue Preserving Information
Retain any additional evidence that becomes available after the initial report.
SUPPORTING INFORMATION
Information That Can Help Your Report
- Profile usernames and account names.
- Links to websites or social media profiles.
- Screenshots of conversations.
- Dates and times of communications.
- Phone numbers or email addresses involved.
- Platform or application where contact occurred.
- Relevant photographs of profiles or messages.
- Any available payment information if applicable.
- Device information if relevant.
- A clear timeline of events.
REPORTING PROCESS
What Happens After You Submit a Report?
1
Report Received
Your report is securely received and assigned an NCIC reference number.
2
Information Review
Submitted information is reviewed for completeness and relevance.
3
Intelligence Assessment
Information is analyzed to identify patterns, related reports, and potential threats.
4
Appropriate Coordination
Reports may support intelligence activities or be shared with appropriate investigative partners where applicable.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Child Exploitation FAQs
What types of concerns should be reported?
Reports may include suspected online grooming, exploitation, sextortion, trafficking, suspicious communications involving children, or other concerns relating to child exploitation.
What information should I preserve?
Preserve usernames, profile links, screenshots, conversations, dates, times, platform information, and any other available details that may assist investigators.
Should I confront the suspected offender?
No. Avoid direct engagement after preserving available information. Submit a report with the evidence you have collected.
Can additional information be submitted later?
Yes. Keep your NCIC reference number so additional information can be provided if it becomes available.
REPORT CHILD EXPLOITATION
Ready to Submit a Report?
If you believe a child may be at risk or have information relating to suspected child exploitation, submit a secure report through the National Cyber Intelligence Center. Prompt reporting supports intelligence analysis and appropriate investigative coordination.