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These conversations are hard to navigate and naturally bring up difficult feelings for many parents and caregivers. This is completely natural and to be expected – which is why managing your own wellbeing is essential. We are here to help you take care of yourself in this process.

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 911.

Need to talk with someone? Text THORN to 741741 to connect with a crisis counselor 24/7 for immediate assistance.

My child’s nude images were leaked.

We’re sorry that you and your child are going through this. Our research shows that more than half of parents almost exclusively blame the child in the photo when nudes are leaked – which we know does not address the larger problem at hand and often results in isolation and feelings of shame, which may lead to more harmful situations. The best thing you can do for your child right now is be there for them unconditionally and show them there is hope to get to the other side. Chances are, your child is already feeling the gravity of the situation and you’re best positioned to provide them with care and a safe space.

Additional resources are available to help support you and your child through this:

My child is being “blackmailed” or sextorted online.

We’re sorry that you and your child are going through this. If your child is experiencing this, know that you are not alone and there is hope to get to the other side. Get help here.

The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children has seen a dramatic increase in sextortion cases, especially financial sextortion where the offender demands money from the child (in reports from early 2022, 79% of offenders were seeking money).

Sextortion is when someone blackmails / threatens to expose a sexual image in order to make a person do something they don’t want to do, like send more photos or send money. This crime may happen when a child has shared an image with someone they thought they knew or trusted, but in many cases they are targeted by an individual they met online who obtained a sexual image from the child through deciet, coercion, or some other method. In many cases, the blackmailers may have stolen or taken images of another person and they are communicating through a fake account. The blackmailer may have sent images as well.

Additional resources are available to help support you and your child through this:

I found an explicit photo on my child’s phone.

Given the intersection of device access and puberty that exists for kids today, sending naked photos, sharing photos of others, and being asked for nude photos is increasingly common among kids. It is important not to make assumptions and address the issue by having an honest and non-judgemental conversation with your child.

I caught my child watching porn.

Talking to your child about porn can feel really intimidating and bring up all kinds of emotions. Remember that in spite of how off-putting it may feel, your child exploring in this way is natural and not inherently problematic. And you are definitely not alone. Amaze has resources to help open up the conversation and find ways to better communicate about sex and sexuality.

I think my child or a child I know is being groomed online.

Online grooming can happen quickly or over time, but at its core it’s a process of exploiting trust to shift expectations of what safe behavior is and leveraging fear and shame to keep a child silent. Your role in protecting your child from online grooming starts with being aware of how it happens and signs to look out for. If you believe a child you know is being groomed online, you can make a report / get support here.

I am concerned about my child’s sexual behavior.

Confidential help is available to help understand healthy behaviors:

Something happened in my community.

Reporting possible abuse:

  • To report possible child sexual abuse, contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) by calling 1-800-THE-LOST (843-5678) or submit through their CyberTipline. Please do not share or distribute child sexual abuse material (CSAM), even in an attempt to report it. Not only is it illegal, but it spreads the content across the internet, further victimizing the child and making removal more difficult. You can learn more about reporting content here.
  • If someone is threatening to share your child’s intimate images, visit stopsextortion.com/caregivers for help and resources.
  • To report a potential trafficking situation, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or submit a tip online.

Additional Resources

International Resources

Resources for Youth