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us Sexual violence & highly sensitive situations

What to do if…
you are sent explicit content that appears to involve someone who may be underage and you feel panicked

Produced and maintained by PanicStation.org Published: Last reviewed: Editorial policy USA guide

Short answer

Close the content and do not forward, download, or keep reopening it. You can report the situation to NCMEC’s CyberTipline or use the platform’s reporting tool. If you think someone is in immediate danger, call 911 or your local police immediately.

Do not do these things

  • Do not forward the content to anyone, even to ask for help identifying it.
  • Do not download it, save additional copies, or create new screenshots.
  • Do not reply to confront the sender or keep the conversation going.
  • Do not keep reopening the image or video to examine it.
  • Do not post or share it in messages, forums, or social media.
  • Do not try to verify the person’s age yourself.
  • Do not feel that you need to investigate the situation, use every reporting route, or make every decision immediately.

What to do now

  1. Stop the interaction. Close the content and stop messaging the sender.
  2. Choose one manageable reporting option. You can use the platform’s reporting tool for the account or message, make a CyberTipline report, or do both. You do not need to use every route immediately.
  3. If you use the platform’s reporting tool, avoid further exposure. Report the account or message without downloading, forwarding, or repeatedly reopening the content. If it helps and can be done without reopening the content, block or mute the sender.
  4. Consider making a CyberTipline report. NCMEC’s CyberTipline is the nation’s centralized reporting system for the online exploitation of children.
  5. Use the emergency route if someone may be in immediate danger. Call 911 or your local police immediately.
  6. If the content depicts you before age 18 and is already on the device where it was taken, consider using Take It Down. It can help limit online sharing on participating public or unencrypted services. Do not download the content or ask someone to send it to you in order to use the service.
  7. If the situation involves pressure, threats, grooming, or blackmail, stop replying. Include that information in any report you choose to make.
  8. Reduce further exposure. Leave the app closed and disable previews or notifications for that chat if you can do so without reopening the content.

What can wait

You do not need to decide right now what label fits the situation, whether the content is real, whether you are certain about the person’s age, or whether to use more than one reporting route. You do not need to keep checking the content to justify asking for help or making a report.

Important reassurance

It is understandable to feel panicked or overwhelmed. You do not need to investigate this yourself. Closing the content, avoiding further sharing, and choosing one manageable next step are enough for the moment.

Scope note

These are first steps only. Later decisions about safeguarding, reporting, or support may need specialist help.

Important note

This is general information, not legal, medical, mental health, therapeutic, or other professional advice. The appropriate next step can depend on your age, where the content was sent, and whether someone may be in immediate danger.

Additional Resources

Closely connected guides that may be useful during the same situation or its immediate aftermath.

About this guide

This guide was produced and is maintained by PanicStation.org using its published editorial process. Official and specialist sources are checked where relevant, and AI-assisted tools may be used for drafting, organisation, and consistency checks. The site operator remains responsible for publication, revision, and removal decisions.

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