Something happened.
Here's what to do right now.

• An adult is involved
• Someone is demanding money, more images, or sexual acts
• The image is being spread publicly or at school
• Your child is talking about disappearing, dying, running away, or not existing
• Your child may harm themselves — call or text 988 now

• Preserve evidence safely. Save usernames, timestamps, threats, profile links, and platform names — do not copy, forward, or store the image itself.
• Screenshot conversations, usernames, timestamps, profile photos, and threats. Avoid copying, forwarding, or sending any explicit image — including to show someone else what happened.
• Write down what your child told you and when, while it's fresh.
• This site does not require uploading, sending, or storing any image. Do not send intimate images to this site or to anyone else.

Step 1: TAKE IT DOWN Act (federal law, signed May 2025). Platforms are legally required to remove explicit images of minors within 48 hours of a valid request.

• NCMEC Take It Down — works across all major platforms simultaneously. Free. Does not require you to upload or view the image.
• Snapchat: Report directly on Snapchat (in-app: hold message → Report) · Snapchat Support Form
• Instagram: Report directly on Instagram (tap ··· on post → Report) · Facebook/Meta NII Removal Form
• TikTok: Report directly on TikTok (hold video → Report) · TikTok Privacy Request
• Discord: Report directly on Discord (right-click message → Report) · Discord Safety Report Form
• WhatsApp: Report in WhatsApp (open chat → contact name → Report) · Note: WhatsApp is end-to-end encrypted — Take It Down cannot scan private chats. Direct platform report is your best option here.
• iMessage/SMS: Take It Down does not apply to private encrypted messages. Contact Apple if content was shared via iCloud. Screenshot all evidence and report to law enforcement directly.
• NCMEC CyberTipline — report for federal tracking and law enforcement notification
• School group chat: Document before contacting the school. Email is better than a phone call — it creates a written record.

Select your state above to see specific laws.

Before you say anything, take a breath. Your reaction in the first 5 minutes shapes whether your child comes to you or hides from you in the future.

Say this first:

Do not say:

Watch for these warning signs in the next 72 hours:

• Extreme withdrawal — refusing to eat, sleep, or leave their room
• Talking about wanting to disappear, run away, or not exist
• Giving away possessions
• Sudden calm after extreme distress — this can mean a decision has been made
• Panic attacks or signs of severe anxiety

• Screenshot all messages, threats, and the person's profile — including their username, real name if visible, and any other details
• Do not block them yet — blocking may cause them to escalate. Document first.
• After you have documented everything, you can block and report on the platform

• NCMEC Take It Down — free tool to remove images from all major platforms at once. Works for both minors and adults.
• StopNCII.org — creates a digital fingerprint of the image so platforms can detect and remove it automatically
• Report directly on the platform where the image appears
• If you are in the US, file a report at FBI IC3 — especially important for sextortion cases

This situation is not your fault and it is not something you have to solve alone. Talking to a trusted adult — a parent, school counselor, or other adult you trust — will help you get through this faster and more safely.

If you are not ready to tell someone you know:

• Text HOME to 741741 — Crisis Text Line, confidential, free, 24/7
• 1-800-799-4654 — NCMEC hotline for exploited children
• Thorn.org — resources specifically for sextortion and image abuse

• Delete the image from your device and any cloud backups
• If you shared it in a group chat, ask the group to delete it and explain it was shared by mistake
• Do not share it further under any circumstances
• If you still have contact with the person — text, DM, or call — tell them what happened and that you are trying to fix it. This is hard but it matters.

If the person whose image was shared wants to remove it, point them to:

• NCMEC Take It Down — removes images from major platforms
• StopNCII.org — prevents image from spreading further

If they want to report what you did, that is their right and their choice.

Whether you are a teen or an adult, talking to someone you trust — a parent, counselor, or attorney — will help you navigate what comes next. The earlier you involve someone, the more options you have.

If you are a minor: telling a parent now, even though it is scary, is almost always better than them finding out another way.

Say this first: "I'm really glad you told me. This is not your fault. I want to help you figure out what to do next — together."

Do not say: "Why did you send that?" / "What were you thinking?" / "I have to tell your parents right now." Saying these things may cause them to shut down or regret telling you.

Do not promise to keep it secret if a minor is in danger. You can say: "I care about you too much to keep something secret that could hurt you. But I'll be with you through whatever comes next."

Your job is not to fix the situation — it's to connect the person to people who can. The most helpful thing you can do is:

• Help them tell a trusted adult — a parent, school counselor, or other safe adult in their life
• Show them NCMEC Take It Down to start image removal
• Share the Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
• If you received an unwanted image: delete it, do not share it, and let the person know you deleted it

Being the person someone confides in about something this serious can be overwhelming. It is okay to feel that. Talk to a trusted adult in your own life — a parent, counselor, or teacher — about how you are feeling, even if you keep the details of your friend's situation private.