If a child has been groomed on Discord, who do I report it to first?

Report it to the National Crime Agency's CEOP Safety Centre at ceop.police.uk and call 101 (or 999 if a child is in immediate danger). Also use the in-app report so the platform can remove the account. NSPCC can be called on 0808 800 5000 for confidential adult advice; Childline 0800 1111 supports the child directly.

Should I block the account before reporting?

Save evidence first. Take dated screenshots showing the username and the URL, then report inside the app, and only block afterwards. Once blocked you may lose the ability to see the chat or capture further proof if the abuse continues.

What if the content shows nude or sexual images of a child?

Do not save the images yourself. Report the URL to the Internet Watch Foundation at iwf.org.uk and to CEOP. If a child is in danger now, call 999. Police can preserve the evidence from the platform under safeguarding powers.

How to report abuse, grooming or harmful content on Discord

A UK parent's walkthrough for reporting messages, users, servers and DMs on Discord, with CEOP, IWF, NSPCC and police escalation routes.

Discord lets you report individual messages, whole users, and entire servers. Reporting from inside the app is essential because it gives Discord's Trust and Safety team the message ID they need to investigate.

For serious safeguarding concerns, also escalate to UK authorities. If a child is in immediate danger, call 999.

How to report inside the app

Turn on Developer Mode so you can copy IDs

User Settings → Advanced → Developer Mode → On. This lets you right-click a message and Copy Message ID. Tip: Discord's Trust and Safety team prefers reports with the Message ID and Server ID attached.

Save evidence

Screenshot the message and right-click to Copy Message Link. Copy the user's username (including the discriminator if present). Note date/time in UK time.

Report a message

Right-click the message → Apps → Report Message (or use the in-app report flow on mobile). Pick the closest reason and submit.

Report a user

Email Trust and Safety at [email protected] with the Message Link or User ID, a brief description, and your screenshots.

Report or leave a server

On the server name → drop-down → Report Raid (if applicable) or Leave Server. Forward the Server ID to [email protected] if the whole server is harmful.

Use Discord Family Centre if linked

User Settings → Family Centre. See recent friends added, servers joined and direct-message contacts (not content).

Escalate outside Discord

Grooming: CEOP (ceop.police.uk). Nude or sexual images of a child: IWF (iwf.org.uk). Sextortion: Action Fraud 0300 123 2040 and IWF. Immediate danger: 999. Non-emergency police: 101.

Tell trusted adults

Inform the school's Designated Safeguarding Lead. NSPCC 0808 800 5000 supports parents; Childline 0800 1111 supports the child.

Evidence to save

Screenshots of the message, including the username and timestamp.
The Message Link (right-click → Copy Message Link).
User ID and Server ID (with Developer Mode on).
Server name and the channel name the message appeared in.
Date and time in UK time, plus a short timeline note.

Save evidence BEFORE blocking the account: once blocked you may lose access to the messages.

What not to do

Do not reply to, threaten or confront the person who has caused harm.
Do not delete the chat, message or account before evidence has been saved.
Do not share screenshots of abusive content on social media or in parent chats.
Do not promise your child you will keep what they tell you a secret.
Do not wait to see if it stops on its own if grooming or sexual content is involved.

Frequently Asked Questions

This guidance is for informational purposes. It is not a substitute for emergency services or professional safeguarding support. If a child is in immediate danger, call 999 (UK) or 911 (US) now.

Last reviewed: 2026-05-20Next review: 2026-08-20