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Freedom251 › Blog › child safety

How to Preserve Evidence of Online Child Exploitation Without Sharing It

By Freedom251 Team · · 2 min read

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If a child is in immediate danger, call 911. Otherwise, preserve useful context—such as usernames, dates, URLs, and messages—without copying or forwarding suspected child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Report it promptly through official U.S. channels and follow law enforcement’s instructions.

What to do first if a child may be in danger

Call 911 for an emergency. If a child is facing an immediate threat or an imminent in-person meeting, get urgent help from a trusted adult and law enforcement. Do not confront the suspected offender yourself.

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Do not copy or share suspected CSAM

The DOJ, FBI, and NCMEC family handout warns: “Please remember: If you have CSAM on your computer or device, do not share content to help identify a child or to express outrage.” It adds: “This is illegal and can further victimize the child in the images.” Do not forward, repost, print, upload, or attach suspected imagery to a message or report. If you are unsure what you are seeing, stop interacting with it and ask law enforcement how to proceed. DOJ family guidance

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What information to preserve instead

Record relevant context in writing without making another copy of the material. Useful details may include:

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  • The account username or other account identifiers.
  • The date and time you encountered the material or communication.
  • The URL, webpage address, or meeting link.
  • A meeting number and password, if relevant.
  • Names, usernames, and phone numbers associated with the contact.
  • Relevant message context, threats, or other account details.

DOJ sextortion guidance recommends screenshots and written notes of names, usernames, and phone numbers. In this situation, screenshots should be limited to account details, messages, threats, or URLs—not explicit imagery. Do not use screenshots as a reason to capture or circulate suspected CSAM. If you cannot preserve context without capturing the material, stop and ask law enforcement for instructions. DOJ sextortion guidance

Where to report suspected online exploitation in the U.S.

Situation Where to report Purpose
Immediate emergency 911 Urgent response to immediate danger.
Suspected online CSAM or exploitation NCMEC CyberTipline or NCMEC’s 24-hour call center at 1-800-843-5678 NCMEC reviews CyberTipline reports and makes them available to the appropriate law-enforcement agency. NCMEC CyberTipline information
Federal law-enforcement tip FBI tip site Submit information to the FBI.
Account or content on a platform The platform’s own safety or abuse-reporting mechanism Report the account or conduct under the platform’s rules when safe and appropriate.

Do not attach or forward suspected imagery unless authorities provide a specific, lawful instruction through an appropriate process. The cited guidance does not establish one universal order for platform and authority reports. When safety permits, prioritize prompt official reporting and follow the instructions you receive.

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How to support a child who tells you about exploitation

Listen calmly, reassure the child, and avoid blame, shame, or ridicule. DOJ recommends a victim-centered, trauma-informed response; its guidance emphasizes that “Child victims are victims, not wrongdoers.” Avoid repeatedly asking direct questions. Focus on the child’s immediate safety and connect them with appropriate adults and professionals. Do not promise that material can be completely removed from the internet.

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Keep the guidance in context

These reporting options and legal guidance are U.S.-focused; procedures and duties can differ by location and role. Official contacts and reporting pages can change, so use the linked agency pages for current instructions. For details about handling a particular device or platform, avoid experimenting or creating copies and ask law enforcement how to proceed.

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