When to ask for help and who to ask
Clear signs that something has crossed a line and you should not handle it on your own, plus a UK helpline list to keep nearby.
Asking for help is a skill, not a weakness. Most young people leave it longer than they should because they are worried about being told off, made a fuss of, or having their phone taken. The reality is the opposite: getting help early almost always shrinks the problem, while waiting almost always grows it. You do not have to wait for things to be at their worst to talk to someone.
There are also moments where waiting is genuinely risky: when someone has threatened you, when an adult is involved in a romantic or sexual conversation with you, when you have sent something you regret, when money has changed hands, when something has been shared without your consent, when you feel unsafe in your own body or mind. In any of those, today is the right day to tell someone.
What this looks like in real life
Real examples
- You have been kept awake by something that happened online for more than a couple of nights in a row.
- Someone is threatening you, blackmailing you, or making you do things you do not want to do.
- You have sent an image you regret, or received one you did not want.
- An adult is messaging you in a way that does not feel right.
- You have lost money or had your account taken over.
- You do not feel safe with yourself, or you are thinking about hurting yourself.
What you can do
Step 1
Pick one person you trust and tell them the headline, even if you cannot tell them everything yet.
Step 2
If a person feels too hard, start with a helpline. Childline (0800 1111) is free, confidential, and runs 24/7.
Step 3
Write down what you want to say first if it helps. You can read it out.
Step 4
Use online chat (Childline has one) if speaking on the phone feels impossible.
Step 5
Tell more than one person if you need to. You are allowed to keep talking until you find the right one.
Step 6
Call 999 if you are in immediate danger or thinking of harming yourself right now.
What not to do
- Do not wait for proof. You do not need to have everything figured out before you ask for help.
- Do not assume an adult will overreact and ruin your life. Most adults handle these things better than you fear.
- Do not promise to keep something secret that puts you in danger. That promise was unfair to ask of you.
Who you can talk to
People who can help
- Childline on 0800 1111 (free, confidential, 24/7, including online chat).
- NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000 if you are an adult worried about a young person, or want advice for one.
- 999 if you or someone else is in immediate danger.
- 101 to report a crime that is not happening right now.
- CEOP for online grooming or sextortion reports.
- Samaritans on 116 123 if you need to talk about how you are feeling, any time.
If something goes wrong
If the first person you try does not respond well, that does not mean help is not there. Try another person, or use a helpline. Childline will not call your parents without your agreement except in very specific safety situations, and they will tell you up front if that line is being approached. You are not a burden for asking. You are doing the thing that adults wish they had done sooner at your age.
Frequently Asked Questions
Trusted UK sources
- Childline (under 19, UK) (NSPCC / Childline)
- Get help from CEOP (CEOP / NCA)
- Samaritans (Samaritans)
This is practical educational content to support families. For case-specific concerns about a child's safety, contact the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000 or your local safeguarding team.