Recognising and Responding to Online Child Exploitation

26 October 2026 | Blog | By: CIG Communications

For families and caregivers 

Passwords, privacy settings and security measures can help protect your child online, but they cannot prevent every risk. Open conversations and knowing how to get help are important too. 

Online exploitation can involve someone manipulating, pressuring or threatening a child into sexual conversations, sharing intimate images or videos, or taking part in sexual activity. It can happen through games, social media, messaging apps or video calls. 

The person responsible may be a stranger, someone your child knows or another young person. Exploitation can develop gradually or happen quickly. 

 

Take an interest in their online life 

Talk regularly about the games, apps and websites your child uses, who they interact with and what they enjoy. 

Ask open questions without making every conversation a warning or an interrogation. Help them understand that they can come to you if someone makes them uncomfortable. 

Pay attention if a new contact becomes unusually important, demands constant attention or encourages your child to hide the relationship. 

 

Do not rely on appearances 

Someone online may not be who they claim to be. Names, photos and personal details can be copied or invented. Voices and videos can also be altered or generated. 

Someone may claim to be your child’s age, share their interests or use information from public posts to make the connection feel genuine. 

However, a genuine identity does not guarantee safe behaviour. Focus on how the person treats your child, including whether they respect boundaries. 

 

Watch for pressure, secrecy and demands 

Be concerned if someone: 

  • Asks sexual questions or sends sexual content. 

  • Asks your child to keep conversations or the relationship secret. 

  • Pressures them to send intimate images, turn on their camera or take part in sexual activity. 

  • Offers gifts, money or gaming rewards in exchange for images or favours. 

  • Pushes them to move to a private chat or another app. 

  • Tries to isolate them from family or friends. 

  • Threatens to expose information or images unless they meet a demand. 

  • Arranges a secret meeting. 

 

Your child does not need to have sent an image for threats or exploitation to occur. Someone may use a fabricated image or claim to have material they do not possess. 

 

Notice changes without making assumptions 

You may notice your child becoming upset after using a device, withdrawing from others, struggling with sleep or appearing unusually anxious about messages. 

These changes can have other causes, and some children show no obvious signs. Treat changes as an opportunity to check in. You do not need proof before seeking safeguarding advice. 

 

Talk calmly and listen 

Choose a private, calm moment. Ask what has happened and give your child time to explain in their own words. 

Thank them for telling you. Reassure them that exploitation is not their fault and that they deserve help, even if they shared something or broke a rule. 

Avoid blaming questions such as “Why did you send that?” Do not promise complete secrecy. Explain that you may need to involve professionals to help keep them safe. 

Avoid automatically removing device access as a punishment for telling you. Work together on protective steps. 

 

Take action 

If you suspect grooming, exploitation, blackmail or threats: 

  • Contact MASH or RCIPS promptly. Do not wait to gather complete evidence. 

  • Help your child stop responding. Do not pay, send more content or agree to a meeting. 

  • Keep relevant details where safe, including account names, website addresses, dates and threatening messages. 

  • Do not download, copy or forward sexual images involving a child. Ask police how to handle existing material safely. 

  • Use reporting and blocking tools, with police guidance where an investigation is underway. 

  • Do not confront the suspected offender or investigate through your child’s account. 

 

Continue supporting your child after reporting. Ask safeguarding professionals about counselling or other support if needed. 

 

Where to get help 

Contact the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH): 

Telephone: +1 (345) 945-0545 
Email: MASH@gov.ky 
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 5 pm 

 

You can also report concerns at your local police station. For urgent concerns outside MASH hours, contact RCIPS on +1 (345) 949-4222 or your local police station. 

If your child is in immediate danger, call 9-1-1. 

You do not need to establish that abuse has occurred before asking for help. 

Last updated: