I Think My Child Is Being Catfished
You have discovered or suspect that someone your child has been communicating with online is using a fake identity — posing as a peer, a romantic interest, or a friend. Your child may be unaware, resistant to the idea, or already suspicious themselves.
Catfishing — creating a false online identity to deceive another person — can be deeply distressing for young people who feel a genuine connection with someone they trusted. Your child may feel embarrassed, betrayed, or even defensive. The most important thing is to stay calm, avoid criticising your child's judgement, and take the right steps to protect them from further harm.
What to do now
Approach Your Child Calmly
Share your concern without accusation. Use language like: 'I want to talk to you about someone you have been speaking to online — I am a bit worried and I want to make sure you are okay.' Listen to their response before sharing your evidence.
✗ Do not: Do not immediately tell your child they have been fooled — this can cause them to become defensive and shut down the conversation.
Review the Evidence Together
Ask to see the messages and profile. Look for red flags together: very new account, few followers, inconsistencies in stories, refusals to video call, requests for secrecy, requests for personal information or images, or moving the conversation off-platform very quickly.
Attempt a Verification Test
Suggest requesting a live video call. A genuine person will usually agree. If the person consistently refuses, makes excuses, or cancels, this is a strong indicator that they are not who they claim to be. Do not confront the suspected catfisher directly.
Preserve Evidence Before Acting
Screenshot the profile, all messages, any images sent, and any links or other platform usernames shared. Note the platform and the dates of key interactions. Do this before blocking or deleting.
Report and Block
Report the account to the platform for deceptive identity. If the person has requested images, engaged in sexual conversation, or attempted to arrange a meeting, report to CEOP immediately at ceop.police.uk. Block the account once the report is made.
What not to do
- ✗Do not contact or confront the suspected catfisher yourself — this can destroy evidence or escalate the situation.
- ✗Do not make your child feel foolish or naive — skilled catfishers deliberately exploit normal human desires for connection.
- ✗Do not delete messages or block the account before preserving a full evidence record.
Preserving evidence
Why this matters
If you need to report to authorities or a platform, evidence can help.
- •Screenshot the sender's full profile including username, display name, profile picture, and any listed information — then do a reverse image search of their profile photo to check if it appears elsewhere online.
- •Save a record of the message history, including any images, links, or contact details they have shared — note dates and platforms.
How to talk to your child
- ✓Acknowledge the genuine connection your child felt: 'I understand this person seemed real to you and that this is hard to hear.'
- ✓Remind them that skilled catfishers are very convincing and that being deceived does not reflect badly on them — it reflects on the person who chose to lie.
Who to contact
CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection)
If sexual content was exchanged, a meeting was requested, or the person poses an ongoing risk
Online reporting available 24/7
NSPCC Helpline
For advice and emotional support throughout the process
24/7, 365 days a year
Childline
For your child to speak confidentially to someone independent
24/7, 365 days a year
Police (101 or 999)
Call 101 for non-urgent reporting; 999 if your child is in immediate danger
24/7
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Resources
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Quick Reference — I Think My Child Is Being Catfished
I Think My Child Is Being Catfished — Quick Reference
Safe Child Guide — safechildguide.com
Do this:
- 1. Share your concern without accusation. Use language like: 'I want to talk to you about someone you have been speaking to online — I am a bit worried and I want to make sure you are okay.' Listen to their response before sharing your evidence.
- 2. Ask to see the messages and profile. Look for red flags together: very new account, few followers, inconsistencies in stories, refusals to video call, requests for secrecy, requests for personal information or images, or moving the conversation off-platform very quickly.
- 3. Suggest requesting a live video call. A genuine person will usually agree. If the person consistently refuses, makes excuses, or cancels, this is a strong indicator that they are not who they claim to be. Do not confront the suspected catfisher directly.
- 4. Screenshot the profile, all messages, any images sent, and any links or other platform usernames shared. Note the platform and the dates of key interactions. Do this before blocking or deleting.
- 5. Report the account to the platform for deceptive identity. If the person has requested images, engaged in sexual conversation, or attempted to arrange a meeting, report to CEOP immediately at ceop.police.uk. Block the account once the report is made.
Do NOT do this:
- ✗ Do not contact or confront the suspected catfisher yourself — this can destroy evidence or escalate the situation.
- ✗ Do not make your child feel foolish or naive — skilled catfishers deliberately exploit normal human desires for connection.
- ✗ Do not delete messages or block the account before preserving a full evidence record.
Stay calm. You are doing the right thing by looking for help. Your child needs your support, not your panic.
Last reviewed: 2026-04-01