Like a strong dad standing watch on your kid's device. Harden their phone, learn the predator's playbook, practice the talk, and know exactly what to do if someone strikes.
Answer two quick things. We'll build a prioritized lockdown plan for your kid — no accounts, no data saved.
No control beats a kid who comes to you first. Pair every setting above with the conversation in The Talk →
The words that lower shame and raise trust — so your kid tells you before it gets bad. Pick the version that fits, then say it tonight in your own voice.
"If anyone online ever threatens you over a picture or message — you are not in trouble with me. Come to me, and we'll handle it together. There is nothing you could do that would make me stop protecting you."
"Grown-ups and big kids online sometimes pretend to be someone they're not. If anyone you don't know in real life messages you, or asks for a picture, or asks to keep a secret from me — that's my job, not yours. Come tell me right away. You'll never be in trouble for telling."
"There's a scam where someone pretends to be a kid your age to become your friend fast, then asks for a photo, then threatens you with it. It's not your fault if it happens — it's a crime they're committing against you. The second anyone makes you uncomfortable or scared, you stop talking to them and you come to me. We don't pay them, we don't panic — we report them."
"I'm not going to lecture you. I just need you to know how this actually works: someone poses as a peer, gets one image, then threatens to blast it to everyone unless you pay. Thousands of strong, smart kids fall for it because it moves fast and they're embarrassed. If it ever happens — don't pay, don't delete, screenshot it, and come to me. No judgment, no phone taken away. We report it and we beat it together."
"Some online groups go looking for kids who feel down or unseen, and they try to pull them into dark stuff. If anyone online is pushing you toward secrets, self-harm, or sending images — that's a predator, full stop. You can always come to me, even at 3am, even if you think you messed up. You matter more to me than anything."
If your child is in emotional crisis or talking about self-harm: call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, 24/7).
Breathe. You've got this, and your kid is going to be okay. Work these steps in order.
When the offender is local, your police can act fast. This builds a clean incident summary with what an officer needs — for a parent or the young person to fill out. It runs entirely on your device.
🔒 Private by design. Nothing you type is sent to D.A.D.S. or stored anywhere. You save or print it and hand it to police yourself.
Fill in what you know — skip anything you don't.
On vacation, or not sure who your local police are? Find the nearest station automatically — no need to know the name:
Tap "Use in my report" on a result above to fill these in automatically, or type them yourself.
You can call these from any phone, in any state, even if you're scared or not sure. They will help you figure out what to do — you won't get in trouble for calling.
D.A.D.S. doesn't investigate or confront predators — we get your report to the people who legally can. These are the official, front-line channels.