If a child has been groomed on Meta Quest, 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 or harmful experiences on Meta Quest

A UK parent's walkthrough for reporting harassment, sexual content or scams on Meta Quest VR, with CEOP, IWF, NSPCC and police escalation routes.

Meta Quest VR adds a sense of physical presence that makes harassment feel more invasive than on a flat screen. Meta provides in-headset reporting, recording and blocking, and the Parent Dashboard can revoke app access and view recent activity.

If a child has been the target of sexual contact or grooming inside a VR app, save evidence and use the steps below. Immediate danger: 999.

How to report inside the app

Record evidence from inside the headset

Universal menu → Camera → Record video, or take screenshots. Note the app name (e.g. Rec Room, VRChat, Horizon Worlds), the username, world and time.

Use in-app block and report

Most VR apps (Horizon Worlds, Rec Room, VRChat) have a personal menu on the wrist or in front of the avatar with Block, Mute and Report. Use Mute first if they are still in the room.

Report through Meta directly

Universal menu → People → tap the user → Report user. Submit description and choose the closest category.

Check the Parent Dashboard

On a phone, open the Meta Quest app → Family Centre → child's account → Recent Activity. Revoke any app you do not want them in.

Escalate externally for serious safeguarding

Grooming or sexual contact with a child in VR: CEOP (ceop.police.uk). Sexual images of a child: IWF (iwf.org.uk). Scams: Action Fraud 0300 123 2040. Threats or immediate danger: 999. Non-emergency police: 101.

Tell trusted adults

Notify the school's Designated Safeguarding Lead, especially if other pupils were involved. NSPCC 0808 800 5000 for adult advice; Childline 0800 1111 for the child.

Talk it through and remove the trigger

VR harassment can be physically disturbing. Sit with them, validate the feeling, and remove the specific app (not necessarily the whole headset). Re-enable later once settings are tightened.

Evidence to save

In-headset video or screenshots showing the harasser's avatar and username.
Name of the app and the world or room.
Username and any voice description you can remember.
Date and time in UK time.
A short timeline note of what happened and how it ended.

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