Reporting Harmful Content or a User to an Online Platform
Almost every major platform has an in-app reporting route for harmful content, harassment, sexual content involving minors, threats, and impersonation. In-app reports are usually the fastest way to get content removed. If a platform fails to act, the Online Safety Act 2023 gives Ofcom regulatory powers over user-to-user services. This guide covers screenshots, a generic reporting template that works across TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, Roblox, Discord, YouTube, WhatsApp, Telegram, X (Twitter), and Twitch, and the escalation routes if the platform does nothing.
Immediate danger — call 999
If a child is in immediate danger — being threatened, blackmailed, or arranging to meet someone they have only known online — call 999. For online sexual abuse, also report to CEOP at ceop.police.uk.
What to report
- •The exact account name, handle, display name, and profile URL of the user concerned
- •A description of the harmful content or behaviour, in plain factual terms
- •Date and time of each incident, in your local time zone
- •Whether a child is involved and roughly what age
- •Whether the content has been shared on, copied to other platforms, or reposted by others
- •Any prior in-app report reference numbers if you have already reported and had no response
- •Whether the user has contacted the child privately as well as publicly
How to report
In-app reporting (always do this first)
When to use
For any harmful post, message, account, or live stream — report each piece of content and the account separately
How to contact
On most platforms: open the content, tap the three dots (or hold the message), and choose Report. Select the closest category — child safety or nudity involving a minor takes priority on every major platform. Take screenshots of the report confirmation screen and any reference number.
What to expect
Major platforms aim to review reports within 24 to 72 hours, with child safety content prioritised. You will normally receive an in-app or email notification of the outcome. Removal can be immediate or take several days. Block the user after reporting.
Platform Trust and Safety contact (where available)
When to use
For serious or urgent reports that have not been actioned in-app, or where the harm is escalating
How to contact
Search '[platform name] Trust and Safety contact' or use the platform's law enforcement / NGO portal. Examples: Meta (facebook.com/help/contact), TikTok (tiktok.com/legal/report), Snap (support.snapchat.com), Discord (discord.com/safety), Roblox (en.help.roblox.com), YouTube (support.google.com/youtube/answer/2802027). Quote any in-app reference number.
What to expect
Direct Trust and Safety contact is intended mainly for professionals and serious cases. You may get a faster human review. Keep the message factual and include reference numbers from your in-app report.
CEOP
When to use
For any online sexual contact with a child, suspected grooming, or sextortion — alongside the platform report
How to contact
Report at ceop.police.uk/ceop-reporting/. CEOP is part of the National Crime Agency and works directly with major platforms for emergency takedowns and account preservation.
What to expect
CEOP can request that platforms preserve account data even after deletion, which can be essential for later investigation. They may refer to your local police force.
Internet Watch Foundation (IWF)
When to use
For any image or video that appears to show child sexual abuse material — do not screenshot or download, just report the URL
How to contact
Report the URL anonymously at iwf.org.uk. The IWF operates 24/7 and works with hosting providers worldwide for removal.
What to expect
IWF assesses URLs within 24 hours. Confirmed CSAM is added to global hash lists and removal notices are issued.
NSPCC Helpline and Childline
When to use
If you or your child need to talk things through, or want adult guidance before or after reporting
How to contact
NSPCC for adults: 0808 800 5000 (free, 24/7). Childline for children and young people: 0800 1111 or childline.org.uk (free, confidential).
What to expect
Both services can advise on next steps, and the NSPCC can make safeguarding referrals on your behalf.
Ofcom — Online Safety Act complaints
When to use
For serious or unresolved complaints where a platform has failed to remove illegal or harmful content affecting children, or where you believe a platform's systems are inadequate
How to contact
Use Ofcom's reporting form at ofcom.org.uk. Ofcom does not act on individual content removal requests but takes complaints about how regulated services handle harm.
What to expect
Under the Online Safety Act 2023, user-to-user services accessible in the UK must have effective systems for tackling illegal content and protecting children. Ofcom enforces those duties — it can fine companies up to 10% of global turnover and, in extreme cases, seek court orders to block services. Ofcom uses complaints as intelligence for its supervision and enforcement work rather than as an individual appeal route.
Evidence checklist
Gather this information before or during your report. Do not delay reporting while collecting evidence — but preserve what you can.
- Screenshots of the harmful content showing the username, handle, and timestamp
- A screenshot of the user's full profile page, including bio, follower count, and any linked accounts
- The full URL or deep link to the post, message, or profile (use the platform's 'copy link' option)
- Screenshots of any private messages sent to the child by the same user
- In-app report confirmation screens and reference numbers
- Date and time you first saw the content and when you reported it
- Names of any other accounts engaging with the harmful content or amplifying it
- A short written note recording who took the screenshots and when
What to say
You do not need to use a script, but this template may help if you are nervous about making the call. Adapt it to your circumstances.
"I am reporting a user and content on [platform name]. The account is [@handle / display name / profile URL]. On [date and time], the account [posted / sent / streamed] [brief factual description of the content or behaviour]. A child aged [age] is [the target / featured in the content / has been contacted by this account]. I have taken screenshots and have a copy of the URL. I have already reported this in-app on [date] and my reference number is [number, if any]. Please remove the content, suspend the account, and preserve any data that may be needed by UK law enforcement. I have also reported separately to [CEOP / IWF / police, where relevant]."
What happens next
Most major platforms acknowledge in-app reports immediately and review within 24 to 72 hours, with child safety reports prioritised. You should be told whether the content was removed and whether the account was actioned. If the platform takes no action and you believe the content is illegal or breaches the platform's own rules, you can re-report, appeal where an appeal option exists, and complain to Ofcom about how the service is handling user complaints. For criminal content — sexual content involving a child, threats to kill, blackmail — always report in parallel to the police or CEOP rather than relying on the platform alone.
What not to do
- ✗Do not reply to or engage with the reported user — it confirms the account is active and may invite retaliation
- ✗Do not repost or quote-tweet the harmful content to draw attention to it, even to criticise — it amplifies reach and may breach the platform's rules itself
- ✗Do not download or save suspected child sexual abuse material as 'evidence' — report the URL to the IWF or police and let them preserve it lawfully
- ✗Do not name the child publicly when reporting on social media or in news comments
- ✗Do not assume the platform will keep the evidence after removal — take your own screenshots first
Frequently asked questions
What if the platform does not respond or refuses to remove the content?
Re-report the content using a different category if available, and use the appeal route where one is offered. For illegal content (sexual content involving a child, credible threats, harassment that meets the criminal threshold) report in parallel to police or CEOP — they can request emergency action from the platform. For ongoing or systemic failures, complain to Ofcom under the Online Safety Act.
Can Ofcom force a platform to remove a specific post?
Ofcom is the regulator for online safety in the UK but it does not act as an individual takedown service. It enforces the duties that user-to-user services have under the Online Safety Act 2023 — including duties to tackle illegal content and to protect children. It can fine companies, require changes to their systems, and in extreme cases seek to restrict access to a service. Your complaint helps Ofcom build the evidence base; the in-app report, IWF, CEOP, or police are the routes that lead to specific takedowns.
The account keeps reappearing with a new handle — what can I do?
Report each new account in-app, noting in the report that it is a return of a banned user and giving the previous handle. Some platforms (Meta, TikTok, Snap, Roblox, Discord) have dedicated processes for ban evasion and can disable the underlying device or phone number. If the user is contacting a child, also report to CEOP — they can ask platforms to preserve account data across handles.
Do I need to give my real name when reporting?
In-app reports are normally anonymous from the reported user's point of view — they will not see your name. Ofcom and CEOP allow anonymous reporting but contact details help them follow up. The IWF accepts fully anonymous URL reports. For police reports, providing contact details is strongly recommended if you want updates on the case.
Sources and further information
- Ofcom — Online Safety — Ofcom
- Online Safety Act 2023 — UK Parliament
- Internet Watch Foundation — Report — Internet Watch Foundation
- CEOP — How to Report — NCA / CEOP
- NSPCC — Online Safety — NSPCC
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.
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Last reviewed: 2026-05-17. This page provides general educational information, not legal or professional safeguarding advice. UK helplines and legislation may change — verify current details with the relevant organisation.