Ways to Get Help

Get emotional and mental health support

You’re not alone. Connect with a trained counsellor at Child-Line Gauteng 24/7.

Need to talk through a problem? You can talk through anything with a confidential trained counsellor 24/7.

Visit Childline South Africa to learn more

Report to Apple

You can report photos and videos that have been flagged by Communication Safety for nudity and the person who shared them to Apple. Where available, return to the Apple app where the blurred image appeared and use the Report to Apple button on the screen to send a report to Apple.

If you or someone else is in danger, call 112.

Your device blurs photos and videos that you receive or try to send that may show private body parts. It also blurs photos and videos that you receive or try to send that may be bloody, violent or otherwise disturbing. Once a photo is shared online, you can’t control who sees it. Nude or violent photos and videos can be used to hurt people, including you.

I received a blurred photo or video. What do I do?

If you receive a blurred photo or video, do not open it. Show your device to an adult you trust. If you open it and it makes you feel uncomfortable, tell a trusted adult.

I’m thinking about sending a photo or video. Should I do it?

Before you send a photo or video, stop and ask yourself:

“Does it pass the ‘Swimsuit Test’? Are my private parts covered?” If not, don’t send it.

“Is someone pressuring me to send a photo or video that makes me uncomfortable?” That person may be trying to hurt you. Tell a trusted adult.

“Would my family be OK with me sending it? Am I OK with anyone seeing it?” Once you share a photo or video with another person, you cannot control who sees it.

Learn more about online safety

To stay safe online:

Ask a parent before downloading or installing an app or a game, making a purchase, or visiting a website for the first time.

Invite your parent to try out your favourite apps and games so they can understand what you like and why.

Keep personal information like your home address private. And never share passwords with anyone other than your parents.

Only talk to people you know in real life.

Be honest about your age when you sign up for apps and games.

Review the privacy settings in apps and games to limit who sees your information. A parent can help you decide which settings are best for you.

If someone says something mean about you or someone else, tell a trusted adult but don’t respond. That might make it worse.

Tell a trusted adult if you see something that confuses or scares you or makes you uncomfortable.

Be kind to others online as well as in real life.
Some people use the internet to harm children. They may pretend to be your friend and ask you to do things that aren’t good for you. It’s called grooming. Here are some signs.

The person might:

Pretend to act nice to gain your trust, or ask questions about your family.

Give you gifts and ask you to hide them.

Talk about love or sex.

Ask you to keep secrets.

Try to convince you to feel sorry for them.

Show or send you photos or videos of private body parts.

Ask you to send photos or videos with your clothes removed or of your private body parts.

Make you feel like you’ve done something wrong.

Tell you that if you say something, nobody will believe you or you will get into trouble.

Threaten to hurt you, your family, a pet or other loved ones if you say anything.

If you notice any of these signs, someone may be trying to harm you. It’s not your fault. Talk to an adult you trust.
Apple apps like Messages and Mail make it easy to stay in touch, but sometimes you might see pictures or videos that are scary, upsetting or confusing. If that happens, it doesn’t mean you did anything wrong. Some content is made to shock people or get a big reaction, even if it isn’t good for you to see. Sometimes you might see or share things like this by accident, or without realising how it could make you or someone else feel. Even when people say something is “just a joke” or “not real”, it can still be upsetting.

Upsetting stuff may include images or videos with things like hurt people, scenes with blood, injuries, accidents or fights.

What you can do:

Close the app. You don’t have to keep looking. Block the sender.

Tell a trusted adult. A parent, caregiver, teacher or school counsellor can help, and talking about it can make it feel less scary.

Don’t blame yourself. Being curious is normal. What matters is stopping when something doesn’t feel right.

Do something calming. Take a few deep breaths, listen to music, go outside, draw, or talk to someone you trust.

Remember you are safe and not alone. What you saw was on a screen, and there are people who want to help keep you safe.

If something feels dangerous, threatening or very wrong, tell an adult right away. If someone could be in danger, it’s important to get help quickly.
If someone is repeatedly mean to you or others online, it’s called cyberbullying. Naked pictures can be used to bully. Bloody or violent images can also be used to bully. It’s not your fault. No one deserves to be treated cruelly.

If you are being cyberbullied:

Stay calm and positive. Sometimes a negative reaction is what the person is looking for. Responding in anger can make things worse.

You don’t need to respond. If someone sends you a nude or violent photo or video, or anything that makes you uncomfortable, you can get help.

Save the evidence. Take a screenshot of the evidence so a trusted adult can help.

Report and block. Ask a trusted adult for help to report the person and block or mute the account.

Talk about it. If you are feeling upset, talk to a trusted adult or get support from a friend. Remember: if you are being cyberbullied, it’s not your fault.

If you see someone being cyberbullied:

Stay calm and positive. Attacking the person who is cyberbullying can make things worse.

Show your support. If possible, send a kind message to the person being cyberbullied.

Additional Resources for Adults