You are not alone, and it's not your fault.
These services are free, and most are available 24/7. You don't need to have all the answers before you reach out. You just need to reach out.
National hotlines & resources
All free. Phone numbers are for the United States.
NCMEC CyberTipline
National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
1-800-843-5678 (1-800-THE-LOST)
Report sextortion, someone asking a minor for sexual photos, online enticement, or sexual images of anyone under 18. report.cybertip.org
Take It Down
Free tool from NCMEC
For nude or sexual images taken before you turned 18
Creates a digital "fingerprint" of the image on your own device, so nobody sees it, and participating apps use it to find and remove copies. Works for AI-made fakes too. takeitdown.ncmec.org
FBI Tips
Federal Bureau of Investigation
1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324)
Report sextortion, threats and online crimes against children. tips.fbi.gov
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Call, text or chat · 24/7
Call or text 988
For anyone feeling hopeless, overwhelmed or thinking about suicide, or worried about someone else. 988lifeline.org
Crisis Text Line
Text with a trained counselor · 24/7
Text HOME to 741741
For any kind of crisis, including bullying, stress and feeling unsafe. crisistextline.org
Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline
Call or text · 24/7
1-800-422-4453 (1-800-4-A-CHILD)
For kids and teens being hurt or abused, online or in person, and adults worried about a child. childhelphotline.org
The Trevor Project
For LGBTQ+ young people · 24/7
1-866-488-7386 · or text START to 678-678
Crisis support from counselors trained to support LGBTQ+ youth. thetrevorproject.org
StopBullying.gov
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
Guides for students, parents and schools
How to respond to and report cyberbullying, and when to involve police. stopbullying.gov
How to report: step by step
Works for sextortion, grooming, threats, impersonation and serious cyberbullying.
Get safe
If anyone is in danger right now, call 911.
Stop replying, but don't delete
Stop all contact. Don't pay, don't send anything, and don't argue. Keep your account and messages. Police need them.
Save the evidence
Screenshot the person's profile, username, profile link, the messages, dates and times, and any payment info they asked for (gift card, app, crypto address).
Block and report on the app
Use the app's report button (harassment, impersonation, or child safety), then block the account.
Tell a trusted adult
A parent, guardian, school counselor, teacher, coach or school resource officer. They can help you with the next steps.
Report it to the authorities
Sexual images, sextortion or online enticement: NCMEC CyberTipline or the FBI. Threats, stalking or danger: local police. School-related bullying: your school.
Get images taken down
Use Take It Down for images of you taken before 18. Never pay anyone who offers to "remove" images for money. Real help is free.
Take care of yourself
What happened can feel overwhelming. Talk to someone you trust, or call or text 988 any time.
Telling a trusted adult
The hardest step is often the most important one.
Tell an adult right away if someone online…
- asks you for photos, especially private or revealing ones
- threatens you or asks for money
- asks you to keep your conversation a secret
- wants to meet you in person
- sends you sexual messages or images
- bullies, harasses or pretends to be you
- makes you feel scared, uncomfortable or confused
Also tell someone if you made a mistake, like sending a photo, or if a friend is in trouble. Adults have seen this before, and they can help.
Who can you tell?
- Parent, guardian or relative
- School counselor, teacher or coach
- School resource officer
- Doctor, nurse or faith leader
Not sure what to say? Try:
If saying it out loud is too hard, write it in a note or a text. If the first adult doesn't help, tell another one. Keep telling until someone helps.