How to report abuse, grooming or harmful content on TikTok
A UK parent's walkthrough for reporting videos, accounts, comments and direct messages on TikTok, plus where to send evidence outside the app.
TikTok lets you report videos, comments, accounts, lives and direct messages from inside the app. Reports are handled by TikTok's moderation team and serious safeguarding concerns can also be escalated to UK authorities.
This page focuses on what to report inside TikTok, what to save first, and the UK routes (CEOP, IWF, police, NSPCC) that sit outside the platform. If a child is in immediate danger, call 999 before doing anything else.
How to report inside the app
Save evidence before you report
Open the video, profile or chat, screenshot it, and use the share arrow to copy the link. Note the username, time and date in UK time.
Report a video
Tap and hold the video, choose Report, then pick the closest reason (Minor safety, Sexual content, Harassment, etc.). Add a short note describing the harm.
Report an account
Open the profile, tap the three dots top-right, choose Report, then Report account. Pick the most serious category and submit.
Report a comment
Tap and hold the comment, choose Report, and select the matching reason. Doing this on several comments from the same account strengthens the case.
Report a direct message or LIVE
In a DM, tap the three dots and choose Report. During a LIVE, tap the share icon then Report. Capture the username and the time first.
Escalate outside the app for serious safeguarding
For grooming, sexual content or threats against a child, report to CEOP at ceop.police.uk. For nude or sexual images of a child, report the URL to the Internet Watch Foundation (iwf.org.uk). For scams or sextortion, contact Action Fraud (0300 123 2040).
Tell the child and the school
Reassure the child, explain calmly what you are doing, and tell the school's Designated Safeguarding Lead so they can support during the school day.
Follow up
TikTok will usually email or notify the reporter with an outcome. If no action is taken on serious abuse, share your evidence and reference with the police on 101.
Evidence to save
- Screenshots of the message, post or profile, showing the username clearly.
- The exact URL or profile link, copied from the app's share menu.
- The full username and display name of the person involved.
- Date and time of each incident, recorded in UK time.
- A short timeline note of what happened, written while it is fresh.
- Save evidence BEFORE you block or delete: blocking can remove your access to the chat.
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.