Question: What are signs or risk factors that families should look for that may alert them to dangerous encounters online? 

 

Answer: Thank you for sharing your concern and for looking for supportive ways to help the teens and families in your life.  

What do we mean by “dangerous encounters” online? 

This could cover a range of negative experiences that children and teens may have online, such as:  

  • Cyberbullying and harassment 
  • Risky social media challenges and dares 
  • Being pressured to share sexually explicit images 
  • Having sexually explicit images shared without permission  
  • Sextortion, or threats to expose sexually explicit images of a person if they refuse demands for more images, money, or other items/actions 

How common are online dangerous encounters?  

  • Nearly half of teens (46%) report experiencing at least one form of cyberbullying, such as offensive name-calling, spreading of false rumors about them, physical threats, receiving explicit images that they didn’t ask for or having explicit images of them shared without their consent, or constantly being asked where they are, what they are doing or who they are with or other online harassment. 
  • Studies estimate that as many as 1 in 20 teens experience online sexual extortion, or sextortion, before turning 18.  
  • We don’t know exactly how many teens participate in either fun or risky social media challenges. Fun challenges are generally harmless and include things like the “mannequin” challenge, where participants stay as still as possible during the video clip, to the Try Not to Laugh challenge, where players try their best not to laugh while watching funny videos. Others like the Ice Bucket Challenge are community-focused, where participants pour ice water on themselves to raise money for ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) research. Risky challenges include things like eating laundry pod packets (Tide Pod Challenge), eating a spoonful of cinnamon quickly without water (“Cinnamon Challenge”), applying flammable liquids to one’s body and setting it on fire (“Fire Challenge”), and can result in serious injuries such as burns or poisonings, lasting harm or death.  

Who is most likely to cause harm? 

Research shows that in more than half of crimes against kids online, the identified offenders are already known to them, including peers, romantic partners, and family members and acquaintances, not strangers. At the same time, harmful contact from strangers does happen, and it is important to be aware of this. Prevention should focus on recognizing inappropriate behavior from anyone, not just from strangers.  

What might families notice? 

Families may notice changes in their child such as: 

  • Shifts in mood or behavior tied to being online, such as appearing more anxious, withdrawn, irritable or tearful during or after using a device 
  • Changes in device habits such as use in private spaces, being protective of a device or changes in online activities 
  • Changes in sleep, appetite, hobbies or interests such as skipping activities or spending more time alone in their room, or substance use. 
  • New online relationships 
  • Unexplained gifts, money or new accounts, which can be signs of grooming or sextortion 

Families may also note concern around how someone is treating a young person, such as encouraging them to use private or disappearing message apps, asking them to keep the relationship secret, gifting money or gaming currency, asking for or sending sexual images or pressuring the child to meet in person or stay in a relationship that they do not want to be part of. 

Many of these signs can also reflect normal development or something else going on in their lives. If you do notice something, start with curiosity and acceptance. Ask open questions about what is going on and let the child know you are not looking to take a device away or get them into trouble.   

What keeps young people from talking to adults? 

Many young people don’t tell an adult when something goes wrong online.  

  • In one study of minors who had an online sexual interaction, 20% told no one, most often because they felt embarrassed, worried about judgement or being in trouble at home, or feared losing access to a platform.  
    • Across minors who had such experiences, using in-app safety tools (87%) was more common than seeking offline support (46%).  
  • In another study, about 80% of youth with mental health and neurodevelopmental conditions who had a negative experience online never reported it, citing reasons such as shame, expecting to be blamed, fear of losing their device, and confusing reporting tools. 

Recommendations and Resources for Families 

Social media and the internet offer many benefits for connection, creativity, and information sharing, but families and young people are wise to be aware of potential risks or signs of a dangerous situation. Here are some tips to help families prepare: 

  • Talk early, often, and without judgement. Be curious in an age-appropriate way. These conversation starters can help you open the door, and our previous portal response on risky content offers tips for raising challenging topics with teens. 
  • Focus conversations on behaviors and healthy relationships. Because many people who harm young people are already known to them, it is important to talk about what respectful and healthy relationships look like. Expect Respect covers warning signs for on- and offline settings.  
  • Use the 5 Cs of Media Use. This is the Center’s framework for thinking about media. Two of the 5 Cs are especially relevant here. Child, which encourages families to know their own child's behavior and attitudes and Communication, which builds the ongoing conversations that make sharing more likely. The 5 Cs include age-specific handouts. 
  • Lead with reassurance if something has already happened. Young people may not want to talk because they feel ashamed, expect blame or fear losing their devices. Letting the child know that this isn't their fault and that you’ll work through it together without punishment helps create a safe and supportive space.  
  • Set up privacy settings and in-app reporting tools together. Walk through how to block someone and how to report content. Since teens are more likely to use in-app tools or blocking than talk to a parent, making sure that these tools are understood is important. The Glossary of Digital Media Platforms explains privacy, blocking, and reporting settings app by app. 
  • Make a plan together about dangerous encounters. The American Academy of Pediatrics Family Media Plan is a customizable tool for discussing safe and practical media use tailored to a family’s specific needs.    
  • Know where and how to report it to authorities if something does happen. Save messages, usernames, and profile links before blocking in case you decide to report. NCMEC's CyberTipline accepts reports and Take It Down is a free service to help remove online nude, partially nude or sexually explicit photos or videos of minors. 

Additional Resources  

 

References 

 

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Last Updated

09/21/2026

Source

American Academy of Pediatrics