Online grooming (also called online child sexual exploitation) is where an adult builds a relationship with a child over the internet with plans to:

• manipulate them
• exploit them
• abuse them

It’s a form of exploitation.

Legally, a child is anyone under 18 years old.

Report to us

If you want to tell us about online grooming, you can report it online, by phone, or in person.

Call 999 now if:

• someone's in danger
• the incident is happening now

Report it using our online form

Learn about other ways you can report a crime to us

Report to other organisations

You can also report online grooming to other organisations:

• Crimestoppers: call 0800 555 111
• Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP)

If you or someone you know has experienced online sexual abuse, report it to us.

If someone is grooming a child, you should:

• report it to the social media or website it was on
• save or screenshot photos and messages (to give to us when you report it)
• not share intimate photos of someone else
• block the sender

If you report it to us, it can help if you record:

• what was said or sent
• what platform, website, or app it was on
• when it was sent or posted
• the sender's name or username (if known)

This type of abuse can be connected to other crimes. You can read our advice on:

• child abuse
• online child sexual abuse
• online harassment
• sextortion
• cyberflashing
• encouraging serious self-harm

You can follow our guidance on how to keep your children safe online to help protect them from grooming and other cybercrimes.