<\/span><\/h2>\nStay calm. Your child needs you clear-headed, not panicking. The panic can come later, after you’ve acted.<\/p>\n
Do not alert the suspect. Do not message, call, or confront the person. If they know you’re aware, they will delete evidence and disappear.<\/p>\n
Document everything. Screenshot every message, every profile, every contact detail. Note the platform, the dates, the usernames. Save it all outside the child’s phone (email it to yourself, save to a computer).<\/p>\n
Talk to your child. Gently, without blame. “I saw some messages that worried me. Can you help me understand what’s going on?” The child may feel ashamed, scared, or protective of the person (grooming creates emotional attachment). Approach with compassion.<\/p>\n
Report to authorities. In India: 1930 cybercrime helpline, cybercrime.gov.in, and your local police cyber cell. For content involving minors, report to NCPCR. Internationally, report to the platform and to the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) or NCMEC CyberTipline.<\/p>\n
Report on the platform. Every major platform has a specific reporting mechanism for child exploitation. Instagram, Snapchat, WhatsApp, YouTube, Roblox, Discord, all of them. Report the account. The platform can ban it, preserve evidence, and cooperate with law enforcement.<\/p>\n
Get professional support. A child who has been groomed or exploited needs professional help, not just parental love (though that matters too). A child psychologist or counsellor experienced in online abuse is the right next step.<\/p>\n
Do not share the details publicly. Posting about the incident on social media, even with good intentions, can re-traumatise the child and compromise the investigation. Handle it through proper channels.<\/p>\n