My Child Has Gone Missing and I Suspect Online Involvement
Your child has not returned home, is not where they said they would be, or has left without explanation — and you believe they may have gone to meet someone they contacted online, or that an online contact has influenced their disappearance.
If your child is missing, the priority is to contact the police immediately. Every minute matters in a missing child situation, and the police have specialist resources to help. This guidance will help you provide the police with the most useful information possible and take supplementary steps while they investigate.
What to do now
Call 999 Immediately
Do not wait. If your child is missing and you suspect online involvement, call 999 straight away. There is no minimum waiting time for reporting a missing child. Tell the operator you believe your child may have gone to meet someone from the internet.
Gather Information for the Police
Prepare the following: your child's full name, age, description, recent photograph, what they were wearing, their mobile number, and the names of any online contacts or platforms they used. The more detail you can give, the faster the police can act.
Check Devices Left Behind
If your child left any devices at home, check recent messages, call logs, and app activity for clues about where they may have gone and who they were communicating with. Share everything with the police.
✗ Do not: Do not delete anything from the device — preserve it exactly as it is for the police.
Contact Friends and Family
Call your child's close friends and their parents to find out if anyone knows where your child is or who they have been talking to online. Ask if your child mentioned any plans to meet someone.
Contact Missing People
The charity Missing People can provide emotional support and practical advice while the search is ongoing. They also operate a confidential helpline your child can contact if they want to let someone know they are safe.
What not to do
- ✗Do not wait to report. There is no '24-hour rule' — report a missing child to police immediately.
- ✗Do not try to investigate independently or go to meet a suspected online contact. Leave this to the police.
- ✗Do not post your child's location details on social media if you find them — this could put them at further risk.
Preserving evidence
Why this matters
If you need to report to authorities or a platform, evidence can help.
- •Preserve all devices, messages, and online accounts exactly as they are. Do not delete, log out, or factory reset anything.
- •Write down everything you know: who your child has been talking to, what platforms they use, any usernames or profile names you are aware of, and any changes in behaviour you noticed.
- •If your child mentioned a meeting place, person's name, or travel plans, relay this to the police immediately.
How to talk to your child
- ✓When your child is found, lead with relief, not anger: 'I am so glad you are safe' should be your first words.
- ✓Give them time to decompress before asking detailed questions. The police may need to speak to them first.
- ✓In the days that follow, gently explore what led to their decision. Professional support (counselling) may be appropriate.
Who to contact
Missing People
For support and advice while your child is missing. Your child can also call or text this number confidentially
24/7, 365 days a year
CEOP
If you believe your child has gone to meet someone they were groomed by online
Online reporting available 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 — My Child Has Gone Missing and I Suspect Online Involvement
My Child Has Gone Missing and I Suspect Online Involvement — Quick Reference
Safe Child Guide — safechildguide.com
Do this:
- 1. Do not wait. If your child is missing and you suspect online involvement, call 999 straight away. There is no minimum waiting time for reporting a missing child. Tell the operator you believe your child may have gone to meet someone from the internet.
- 2. Prepare the following: your child's full name, age, description, recent photograph, what they were wearing, their mobile number, and the names of any online contacts or platforms they used. The more detail you can give, the faster the police can act.
- 3. If your child left any devices at home, check recent messages, call logs, and app activity for clues about where they may have gone and who they were communicating with. Share everything with the police.
- 4. Call your child's close friends and their parents to find out if anyone knows where your child is or who they have been talking to online. Ask if your child mentioned any plans to meet someone.
- 5. The charity Missing People can provide emotional support and practical advice while the search is ongoing. They also operate a confidential helpline your child can contact if they want to let someone know they are safe.
Do NOT do this:
- ✗ Do not wait to report. There is no '24-hour rule' — report a missing child to police immediately.
- ✗ Do not try to investigate independently or go to meet a suspected online contact. Leave this to the police.
- ✗ Do not post your child's location details on social media if you find them — this could put them at further risk.
Stay calm. You are doing the right thing by looking for help. Your child needs your support, not your panic.
Last reviewed: 2026-03-01