Lesson 3 of 7 · About 3 minutes
When to act the same day
The situations that can’t wait, and the one rule about images that protects everyone.
Most online meanness goes through your school’s usual reporting steps. These situations cannot wait. Act today, and tell an administrator at once.
- Urgent
A threat of violence
If anyone is in immediate danger, call 911. Then follow your school’s threat assessment steps.
- Urgent
Demands for images or money
This is sextortion. Tell the student they are not in trouble. They should not pay and should not send anything more.
- Urgent
A sexual image shared, or a fake one made
Treat a fake image the same as a real one. Don’t ask to see it. Report it right away.
- Urgent
Talk of self-harm
If the student talks about hurting themselves, follow your school’s suicide risk steps right away.
Check yourself
Show the answer
Answer: No. Never save, forward or copy it. Describe it in writing and report it right away. Saving or sharing a sexual image of a minor can itself be a crime, even with good intentions. Describe it instead and pass the report on the same day.
Remember
- Threats, sextortion, sexual images (real or fake) and self-harm all need action today.
- Never view, save, forward or copy a sexual image of a student. Describe it in writing.
- A student who is being blackmailed is not in trouble.