Trust Your Gut
If something about an online friendship or relationship doesn't feel right, trust your gut. Whether you're a young person, parent, carer or trusted adult, this page explains the warning signs of online grooming and what to do if you're worried.
Watch our short film created by Gateshead College students.
What is online grooming?
Online grooming is when someone builds a relationship with a child or young person online to gain their trust, with the intention of exploiting or abusing them.
It can happen on:
- social media (for example Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok)
- gaming platforms and online games (for example Fortnite, Roblox, Minecraft)
- messaging apps (for example Discord, Telegram, iMessage)
The person may pretend to be someone your age, or someone you can trust.
Signs to look out for
You might notice someone:
- asking you to keep your conversations secret
- trying to isolate you from your friends, family or trusted adults
- encouraging you to move chats to private messaging apps
- sending gifts or in-game rewards
- asking for personal details, photos or videos
- making you feel pressured, guilty or threatened
If something feels off, it's important to take it seriously.
What to do
If you're worried about yourself or someone else:
- stop responding to the person
- tell a trusted adult, such as a parent, carer or teacher
- do not share any more information, images or videos
- save evidence if you can (screenshots, usernames, messages)
- block and report the account
Get help or report concerns
If you're worried about online grooming, you can get advice or report concerns confidentially:
- CEOP (opens new window) - report online sexual abuse or grooming
- Childline (opens new window) - free, private support for under 19s
- NSPCC (opens new window) - support and advice for parents and carers
If someone is in immediate danger, call 999.
For parents and carers
You may notice changes that could indicate something isn't right online, such as:
- becoming withdrawn or anxious
- being secretive about online activity
- spending significantly more time online than usual
- becoming upset when unable to access devices
- receiving gifts or money from unknown sources
If you're concerned:
- stay calm and keep communication open
- avoid blaming your child or immediately removing devices
- seek advice from the organisations above
More help and advice
If you want to learn more about staying safe online, or need further support, the following services can help.
For general advice on things like privacy, social media, gaming and avoiding online risks, visit our Online Safety Advice page.
Parents and carers can find practical advice on keeping children safe online, including setting boundaries and starting conversations about online activity, on the Gateshead Safeguarding Children Partnership website.
Young people can access advice and support tailored to them, including how to deal with pressure online and where to get help.
If you're worried about a child or need to speak to someone about a safeguarding concerns, you can find information on how to get help and what to do next through Gateshead safeguarding services.
