How to save evidence of online abuse safely

Home › Safety guides › How to save evidence of online abuse safely

Author: YELFiN Ltd · Published: 4 October 2026 · Editorial reviewer: YELFiN Ltd (review pending)

Recording what happened can help a platform, school or police understand an incident. Your safety comes first: do not keep engaging with an abusive person just to collect more material.

• Keep the original messages where possible.
• If safe, capture relevant screenshots with the username, date and surrounding conversation visible.
• Write a factual timeline: what happened, when, on which platform and what you did next.
• Record account names, page addresses and report reference numbers.
• Keep records private and share only with the appropriate support or reporting service.

Some apps notify people about screenshots. If taking one could increase danger, stop and seek advice first. Do not edit the original to change its meaning or post it publicly.

Do not screenshot, download, forward or create extra copies of child sexual imagery. Record the page address or account details without copying the image, and contact police or CEOP for instructions. A young person can use Childline and IWF’s Report Remove service for sexual images of themselves.

Call 999 if someone is in immediate danger in the UK. For sexual exploitation of a child, use CEOP. For other abuse, use the platform’s report tools and appropriate police or specialist support routes. YELFiN does not certify evidence, recover deleted messages or submit a report for you.

For ordinary non-intimate messages, a short factual note can make the sequence easier to explain. Use these headings:

• Date and time, including the time zone if relevant.
• Platform and account or profile name.
• What happened, in your own words, without guessing the person’s motive.
• Where the original message can be found, if it is still available.
• What you reported, the reference number and any reply.
• Who is helping and the next agreed action.

Keep observations separate from interpretations. If you are uncertain about a date or detail, say so rather than filling the gap. Ask the receiving service which records it needs and how to share them.

Do not publish a “case file” on social media, alter a conversation to make a point or access another person’s account to collect information. Avoid sending every file to multiple people without a clear purpose. The exception for sexual images of children above applies even when your intention is to help.

The YELFiN learning tools and Platform Library can help you understand the service and prepare questions. Keep actual private incident records outside AI question boxes.

Childline: keeping records of bullying
NSPCC: reporting child abuse imagery
Ofcom: children’s experiences and screenshot notifications

How to spot online grooming signs
What to do after cyberbullying

Explore YELFiN’s platform guides, checklists and learning tools. No YELFiN account required. General educational information; not professional or emergency advice.

Download YELFiN free for iPhone