Parent support

What to do right now

Something's happened — or you think it has — and you need a calm plan, not another article. Start with the scenario that fits, then use the help-line directory below. US, UK and Australian services — all free.

By a mom of two — pressure-tested by a cybersecurity professional with 12+ years in the industry. Nothing here is a hard pitch; it's the shortlist I'd want if it were my kid.

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If something online ever goes wrong, the plan is simple —
1

PAUSE

Stop. Take a breath. Don't reply or send anything more.

2

SCREENSHOT

Save the evidence before it disappears.

3

TELL A GROWN-UP

You're never in trouble for telling me.

Pause first, screenshot the evidence, then tell a trusted grown-up. No yelling, no confiscated device — just help.

Something's happened — do this now

Pick the closest scenario. The steps are calm, not clever — they're the same ones eSafety, Kids Helpline and the AFP-led ACCCE point parents to.

My child is being bullied online

  1. 1Sit down together. Don't reply while emotions are high — pile-ons feed on quick replies.
  2. 2Screenshot the chat, the profile and the URL before anything gets deleted. You'll need it.
  3. 3Mute or leave the group tonight; look at it again tomorrow with fresh eyes.
  4. 4Report the account inside the app — and in Australia to the eSafety Commissioner at esafety.gov.au/report (legal takedown powers). In the US, report harassment/exploitation to NCMEC's CyberTipline (report.cybertip.org). In the UK, to CEOP (ceop.police.uk/Safety-Center).
  5. 5If it's schoolmates, loop in the school. Free 24/7 counselling for your child: 988 (US), Childline 0800 1111 (UK), Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 (AU, ages 5–25).

Someone is threatening my child with a photo, or a stranger is grooming them

  1. 1First words out of your mouth: "You are not in trouble. We're going to fix this together."
  2. 2Don't pay. Don't send more. Blackmailers never stop at one — paying makes it worse.
  3. 3Stop replying and block the account. Don't delete anything — the messages are evidence.
  4. 4Screenshot everything you can: the messages, the profile, the username, the app.
  5. 5Report grooming, sextortion or exploitation. In the US, NCMEC CyberTipline — report.cybertip.org or 1-800-843-5678. In the UK, CEOP — ceop.police.uk/Safety-Center (National Crime Agency). In Australia, the AFP-led ACCCE — accce.gov.au/sextortionhelp. To get an image taken down: Take It Down (US, takeitdown.ncmec.org), Report Remove via Childline (UK), eSafety (AU, esafety.gov.au/report).
  6. 6Call 911 (US), 999 (UK) or 000 (Australia) if your child is in immediate danger. Free 24/7 counselling: 988 (US, call or text) · Childline 0800 1111 (UK) · Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 (AU, ages 5–25).

This is happening to a lot of kids — in the US, the UK and Australia alike, including primary-school age. It is not your child's fault, and they are not in trouble.

My child saw something disturbing

  1. 1Thank them for telling you. That habit is the whole safety plan — protect it before anything else.
  2. 2Sit with them. Name the feeling out loud ("that was a really yucky one, hey?"). Cuddle, cup of tea, kind show.
  3. 3Don't quiz for details they don't want to give. Let them lead.
  4. 4Tighten the settings on that app or profile the same night — private account, DMs off, kids profile on YouTube, autoplay off.
  5. 5If they can't shake it: 988 (US, call or text), Childline 0800 1111 (UK), Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 (AU, ages 5–25). For young kids in real distress, your GP or family doctor is a good first step too.

My child (or our card) got scammed

  1. 1Call your bank first. Most banks can reverse recent in-app purchases if you report quickly — same day is best.
  2. 2Remove the saved payment method from your child's account (App Store, Google Play, Steam, PlayStation, Xbox — wherever it hit).
  3. 3Turn on "Ask to Buy" (iPhone/iPad) or purchase approvals in Google Family Link (Android) so it can't happen again.
  4. 4Change the password on the account that was used, and turn on 2-factor authentication.
  5. 5Report the scam: scamwatch.gov.au (AU), reportfraud.ftc.gov (US), or Report Fraud 0300 123 2040 (UK). If personal details or ID were shared in Australia, IDCARE (1800 595 160) can help.

The other moments that catch you out

Tap a scenario for a plain three-to-five step plan — plus where to go next on the site.

Common questions

Someone is threatening to share my child's photo unless we pay. What do we do?

Don't pay and don't send anything more — blackmailers never stop at one. Stop replying and block the account. Keep the messages and screenshot everything; they're evidence. In the US, report to NCMEC's CyberTipline (report.cybertip.org or 1-800-843-5678) and use Take It Down (takeitdown.ncmec.org) to remove images. In the UK, report to CEOP (ceop.police.uk/Safety-Center) and use Report Remove via Childline. In Australia, report to the ACCCE (accce.gov.au/sextortionhelp) and eSafety (esafety.gov.au/report). If your child is in immediate danger, call 911 (US), 999 (UK) or 000 (Australia). Your child is not in trouble — this is happening to a lot of kids, in the US, the UK and Australia alike, and it is not their fault.

My child saw something disturbing online. How do I handle it?

Stay calm. Thank them for telling you — that's the habit you want to protect. Sit with them, name the feeling, and put something kind on. Tighten the settings on that app or profile the same night (private account, DMs off, kids profile on YouTube). For counselling: in the US, 988 (call or text); in the UK, Childline on 0800 1111; in Australia, Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800.

My child is being bullied in a group chat. What are the steps?

Don't reply while emotions are high. Screenshot the chat, mute or leave it, and look at it together with fresh eyes the next day. Report the account inside the app. In Australia, if it keeps going or crosses a line, report to the eSafety Commissioner at esafety.gov.au/report — they can compel platforms to take material down. In the US, report grooming or exploitation to NCMEC's CyberTipline (report.cybertip.org). In the UK, to CEOP (ceop.police.uk/Safety-Center). Loop in the school if it's schoolmates. Counselling: 988 (US), Childline 0800 1111 (UK), Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 (AU) — all free, 24/7 or close to it.

Someone charged our card through my child's game. What now?

Call your bank first — most banks can reverse recent in-app purchases if you report quickly. Then turn on 'Ask to Buy' (iPhone/iPad) or purchase approvals in Family Link (Android) so it can't happen again. Remove any saved payment method from the child's account. If it was a scam rather than accidental spending, report it to Scamwatch.gov.au (AU), the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov (US), or Report Fraud on 0300 123 2040 (UK, reportfraud.police.uk).

Can eSafety actually get an image or video taken down?

Yes. In Australia, the eSafety Commissioner has legal powers to require platforms to remove image-based abuse, cyberbullying of a child, and serious online abuse — report at esafety.gov.au/report with as much detail as you can. In the US, NCMEC's Take It Down (takeitdown.ncmec.org) can remove nude or explicit images taken while under 18, free. In the UK, Report Remove — via Childline (childline.org.uk) with the Internet Watch Foundation — does the same for under-18s.

My child won't hand the device back. Do I confiscate it?

In the moment, calm beats consequence. Sit next to them, agree on 'two more minutes then it's the bench', and follow through quietly. The bigger fix is a boring one: a family charging spot outside the bedroom, screen-time limits at night, and one predictable rule everyone (including you) follows. The confrontation is usually about the transition, not the tablet.

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General guidance from one mom — not medical, psychological or legal advice. If you're worried about your child's safety right now, call 911 (US), 999 (UK) or 000 (Australia). Sources: NCMEC (CyberTipline, Take It Down), CEOP / National Crime Agency (UK), Childline, NSPCC, Samaritans, Australian eSafety Commissioner, Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE), ThinkUKnow, Kids Helpline. Reviewed July 2026.