Protect Youth
Youth & Online Safety
Trafficking and exploitation can begin online through grooming, secrecy, pressure, threats, gifts, attention, or fear.
Trusted adults can interrupt harm early.
Youth are more likely to ask for help when they believe adults will listen without panic or shame. The goal is connection, safety, and support.
Online exploitation can happen quickly. A young person may feel trapped, embarrassed, threatened, or afraid they will be blamed.
Start with safety
Try saying: “I’m glad you told me. You are not in trouble. We will figure this out together.”
Watch For
Possible warning signs
Secrecy
New secrecy around phone use, accounts, messages, or online relationships.
Pressure
Someone asks for sexual images, threatens to share photos, or demands more contact.
Gifts or money
Unexpected gifts, rides, hotel stays, food, money, or promises from someone older.
Isolation
Pulling away from friends, family, school, activities, or trusted adults.
Fear
Sudden anxiety, shame, panic, or fear that “everyone will find out.”
Running away
Leaving home, staying with unsafe adults, or relying on someone for basic needs.
Resources