If a child has been groomed on Snapchat, 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 Snapchat

A UK parent's walkthrough for reporting Snaps, accounts, Stories and chats on Snapchat, with CEOP, IWF, NSPCC and police escalation routes.

Snaps disappear by design, which makes it essential to act fast and save evidence before reporting. Snapchat keeps logs that police can request, and the in-app report is the trigger that preserves them on Snap's side.

This page shows how to report inside the app and which UK authorities to involve when a child is at risk. If a child is in immediate danger, call 999.

How to report inside the app

Save evidence first

Open the chat or profile, take a screenshot, and note the time, username and Snapscore. Snapchat warns the sender of screenshots; do it anyway, the evidence matters more.

Report a Snap or message

Press and hold the message, tap More, then Report. Choose Nudity or sexual content, Harassment, Threats, Sale of drugs, or the closest option.

Report a profile

Open the profile, tap the three dots top-right, choose Report, then pick the most serious matching reason.

Report a Story or Spotlight

Press and hold the Story or Spotlight tile, tap the flag icon and select a reason.

Use Snapchat Family Centre

If you are linked through Family Centre, you can see who your child is chatting with and report any account directly from there.

Report externally for serious harm

Grooming or sexual content directed at a child: CEOP (ceop.police.uk). Nude or sexual images of a child: IWF (iwf.org.uk). Sextortion: report.iwf.org.uk and Action Fraud 0300 123 2040. Threats of violence or self-harm: 999.

Tell trusted adults

Inform the school's Designated Safeguarding Lead. Call NSPCC on 0808 800 5000 for confidential advice; remind the child Childline (0800 1111) is there for them.

Evidence to save

Screenshots of the chat or Snap (do not worry that the sender is notified).
The exact username and the Snapscore visible at the time.
Date and time of each message in UK time.
Any URL or Snapchat handle they shared off-platform (e.g. WhatsApp, Telegram).
A short timeline of contact, including how the conversation started.

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