If a child has been groomed on YouTube, 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, harmful content or comments on YouTube

A UK parent's walkthrough for reporting YouTube videos, channels, comments and live streams, with CEOP, IWF, NSPCC and police escalation routes.

YouTube lets you flag videos, channels, comments and live streams from inside the app. The Trust and Safety team reviews high-risk reports (child safety, sexual content) within hours and forwards confirmed CSAM material to NCMEC, which shares with UK police.

If a child is in immediate danger, call 999. Otherwise save evidence and use the steps below.

How to report inside the app

Save evidence

Take screenshots, copy the video URL (Share → Copy link) and note the channel name and the time-stamp of the moment that is harmful.

Report a video

Under the video → three dots → Report → choose category (Child abuse, Sexual content, Harassment, etc.).

Report a comment

Hover or long-press the comment → three dots → Report → choose category.

Report a channel

Open the channel → About → Flag icon → Report user → choose category.

Report a live stream

Three dots next to the live video → Report → choose category. For sexual content involving a minor, also report immediately to CEOP and IWF.

Use Supervised Experience controls

If your child is on a Supervised Experience, you can set the content level and lock down comments. Family Link → your child's account → YouTube → Manage settings.

Escalate outside YouTube

Grooming or sexual content directed at a child: CEOP (ceop.police.uk). Nude or sexual images of a child: IWF (iwf.org.uk). Threats, doxxing or harassment: 101. Immediate danger: 999. Hate content or terrorism: GOV.UK "Report terrorism" service.

Tell trusted adults

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

Evidence to save

Video URL (Share → Copy link), with the time-stamp if it is mid-video.
Channel name and channel URL.
Screenshots of the relevant section, comments and channel page.
Date and time in UK time.
A short note of what was said or shown.

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