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.

Try saying: “I’m glad you told me. You are not in trouble. We will figure this out together.”

Watch For

New secrecy around phone use, accounts, messages, or online relationships.

Someone asks for sexual images, threatens to share photos, or demands more contact.

Unexpected gifts, rides, hotel stays, food, money, or promises from someone older.

Pulling away from friends, family, school, activities, or trusted adults.

Sudden anxiety, shame, panic, or fear that “everyone will find out.”

Leaving home, staying with unsafe adults, or relying on someone for basic needs.

Youth Resources