Finding Kids

Before you take your child’s phone away, read this urgent, practical advice for families as online access, social media, and exploitation risks collide.

The phone is not just another device to your children. It is their social life, entertainment, identity, privacy, status, and often their only connection to friends. It can also be the place where predators manipulate and exploit children and pull them away from the safety of home.

Pew Research Center found that 38% of parents and teens report regular arguments over screen time, with 10% of parents saying these disputes happen often. And for teens who are online almost constantly, 47% of families experience regular conflict regarding device use.

At Finding Kids, we see how quickly conflicts between parents and children over cell phone use and access can escalate into dangerous situations. Restrictions on phone access can leave young people feeling punished, isolated, or disconnected from their friends. "I estimate that in at least 50% of our cases, cell phones and social media are significant factors in both the conflict between youth and parents and the circumstances leading to a child going missing," says Finding Kids Director of Aftercare, Michelle Guymon.

Here are some important, no-nonsense things parents can do:
- Create ground rules. Before the argument, set expectations, limits, privacy, and safety.

- Don’t make the phone the only consequence. Threatening to take the phone should not be your go-to solution to every argument.

- Keep the bedroom phone-free at night. Night time phone use is more dangerous. Phones should charge outside the bedroom.

- Use parental controls, but don’t rely only on them. Parental controls are better than no controls. As of June 2026, these are the top rated Parental Control tools:, Bark, Aura, Qustodio, Norton, Net Nanny, and Apple recently announced new child safety and parental control features expected this September.

- Teach children what grooming looks like. Manipulation and “grooming” can feel like friendship or romance. They should never accept a friend request from someone they’ve never met or they do not know. Let them know they can always come to you to help view messages.

- If your child threatens to leave over the phone. Take it seriously. Stop arguing and shift to keeping your child physically safe.

- If your child leaves home and doesn’t return as expected. Act quickly and calmly. Preserve evidence, use location tools if available, and immediately call 911 to file a missing persons report. Report your child as “missing and endangered.” Make a note of the case report number and note down the name of the assigned detective. Gather your child's left-behind devices and document any other information that might be helpful. For additional support, fill out the Finding Kids intake form.

- If explicit images of your child are involved. Don't blame your child. They are the victim of a crime. Never share or forward the images, preserve what you can without redistributing them, and report the situation in person to law enforcement. Use NCMEC’s Take It Down tool.

Bottom line Pediatric and Adolescent Psychiatrist, Dr. Allie Shapiro told us, "I asked a seven year-old patient if she talks to people online. She said, 'Yes, all the time on Roblox.' And the parents just looked at me like, 'That's news to us.'" The best protection is a strong relationship where your child feels safe coming to you and lets them ask for help without shame.

When people hear the phrase "missing child," many picture a single type of scenario.

In reality, there is no such thing as a typical missing child case.

In 2025, Finding Kids accepted 69 missing child cases. Each one came with its own circumstances, risks, questions, and vulnerabilities.

That's one reason assumptions can be dangerous.

Every case starts with understanding what happened, who was involved, and what may have changed.

Because no two cases look exactly alike.

LET'S FIND EVERY ONE.

What does 6.5 days actually mean?

In 2025, that was the median time from case acceptance to locating a child.

Some children are found quickly, while others require investigators to follow leads across multiple cities, analyze digital activity, interview witnesses, and coordinate with law enforcement partners.

Every case is different, but every day matters.

LET'S FIND EVERY ONE.

Summer gives children more freedom.

More time with friends. More hours spent online. More opportunities to explore, connect, and become independent.

For many families, that's part of what makes summer special.

It's also why this season can be a good opportunity to check in with your child, talk about what's happening in their world, and remind them who they can turn to if they need help.

The strongest safety conversations often start long before there's a problem to solve.

LET'S FIND EVERY ONE.

There isn't a single conversation that protects a child.

It's the hundreds of small conversations that happen over time.

The questions about their day. The stories they tell. The things they laugh about. The moments when they learn that home is a place where they can speak honestly and be heard.

Those moments build trust. And trust makes it easier for children to ask for help when they need it.

Prevention starts with connection; talk to your child today.

LET'S FIND EVERY ONE.

Some children are still missing tonight.

Some families are still waiting for answers.

And somewhere, someone is still searching.

At Finding Kids, we believe missing children should never become invisible.

Last year, our team accepted 69 missing child cases.
98.5% of closed cases resulted in that child being located.

Today is about the children still waiting to be found, and the responsibility we all share to keep looking.

LET’S FIND EVERY ONE.

Parents and caregivers often recognize subtle changes before anyone else.

A shift in behavior.
New online contacts.
Withdrawal from family.
Sudden secrecy.

These signs may seem small, but they can provide important context when concerns arise.

Families know their children best.

At Finding Kids, we listen carefully to families and use what they share to help inform investigative efforts and support planning.

Trust your instincts, and if something feels off, ask questions and seek help.

Let's find every one.

A single detail can move an investigation forward.

Useful information may include:
• Social media usernames
• Screenshots or messages
• Vehicle descriptions
• Locations
• Names of friends or new contacts

What seems minor to one person may help investigators identify patterns, establish timelines, or generate new leads.

If you have information related to a missing child, report it to local law enforcement as soon as possible.

Share this post to help others understand how small details can make a difference.

Let's find every one.

When a child goes missing, the first hours can feel overwhelming.

Families often ask:

• What happens after I call 911?
Law enforcement opens a case and begins gathering information about the child, their recent activity, and possible leads.

• What information should I gather?
Recent photos, social media usernames, phone numbers, locations, and names of friends or new contacts can all be helpful.

• Who is coordinating the search?
Law enforcement leads the investigation and may work with additional partners depending on the circumstances.

• What support is available to us?
Families may need help organizing information, understanding the process, and navigating what comes next.

At Finding Kids, we work alongside law enforcement and investigators to help organize information, develop leads, and support families throughout the process.

Share this post to help more families know what to expect when the unexpected happens.

Let's find every one.

The Finding Kids 2025 Annual Report is now available on our website.

This year’s report shares the real work behind our mission: locating missing children, supporting families through crisis, expanding aftercare, strengthening prevention, and working alongside law enforcement and community partners across the regions we serve.

We invite you to read the report and see how Finding Kids turns urgency into action, and how your support helps protect children when time matters most.

Read the full report here:
https://findingkids.org/annual-report-2025/