Most services have rules about what kind of content is allowed on the site. Making a report is a way of alerting them that someone or something has broken these rules.
What can I report?
On many services you can report content (such as images, videos or text), other users, comments and even adverts. However, action will only be taken if your report shows that someone or something has broken the rules of the service. Rules vary depending on the platform you are using but the types of material which are likely to break the rules include:
- Impersonation (pretending to be someone else)
- Hate speech
- Violent or extreme content
- Pornographic content
- Harassment, threats, abuse and bullying
What happens when I make a report?
After you make a report, the service may take action to remove the offending user or content. Other actions may include age-gating content (so it is only available to adult users), adding content warnings, or giving users temporary suspensions or warnings.
For more information and advice about reporting harmful content online and for support if a report has been made but no action has been taken, visit Report Harmful Content.
How do I report on a specific service?
Use the options below to find more information on reporting on some of the most frequently used platforms.
Other places to report to
You may also be able to report online harmful or illegal content elsewhere.
If you:
- are suspicious about someone’s communication with a child report to CEOP
- see online child sexual abuse images or videos you should report to the Internet Watch Foundation
- see content that incites hatred you should report to True Vision
- want to make a complaint about an advert, television or radio programme or other type of content that you think is unsuitable for children to see or hear, you can find out more about how to do this through Ofcom.
- want to make a complaint about an online advertisement then you can report this to The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA).
- are under the age of 18 and want to report a nude image of you that’s been shared online you can do so through Childline’s Report Remove tool.
- have been ‘scammed, ripped off or conned’ report to Action Fraud, or on 0300 123 2040. This service is run by the National Fraud and Cyber Crime Reporting Centre.
- see something online that supports, directs or glorifies terrorism, report it to Action Counters Terrorism.
