Keeping Evidence of Online Abuse: What to Save and Why

Why records matter

When someone is abused online, the instinct is often to delete everything and make it go away. That is understandable, but it can leave you with nothing to show a platform, school, employer or police officer later. Messages can vanish, accounts can be removed, and posts can be edited. A careful record keeps the facts in one place, even if the content disappears.

Records also help you. Writing down dates and details can make a confusing, upsetting situation easier to see clearly, and it lets you describe what happened without having to remember everything under stress.

This is general information. Rules about what counts as proof differ between countries, courts and organizations, so if the matter may become legal, ask your local police, a victim support service or a qualified lawyer how they want evidence handled.

What to save

Aim to capture enough that someone who was not there can understand what happened.

• The content itself. Messages, posts, comments, images or videos, including surrounding context so it is clear what was being replied to.
• Who sent it. The account name, the display name and, where visible, the profile link. Display names can be changed, so the link or username is more reliable.
• When it happened. Dates and times. If the platform shows only “two days ago,” note the date you captured it.
• Where it happened. The app, group, game or website, and the link to the specific post or message if you can copy it.
• Patterns. Repeated contact over days or weeks is often more important than one message, so collect several examples.
• Your own responses. If you asked the person to stop, keep that message, because it shows the contact was unwelcome.
• Reports you made. Save confirmation emails, report numbers and any replies from the platform.

How to capture it

Screenshots are the most common method, and they work for most purposes. A few habits make them more useful:

• Show the whole screen where possible, so names, dates and the platform are visible.
• Capture the conversation in order instead of one cherry-picked message.
• For long threads, take overlapping screenshots so nothing is missing.
• Copy and paste links into a note, because a link can lead the platform straight to the content.
• Where an app offers an option to download or export your data or a conversation, that can provide a more complete copy. Menus change, so look for wording about downloading your information.
• For emails, keep the original message instead of only a forwarded copy or a picture of it, as the original may hold technical details.

Screenshots can be edited, so they are not perfect proof. They are still valuable as a starting point, and platforms and investigators often have their own ways of confirming what is real.

Keep a simple log

A short written log can tie everything together. A table or a plain list works. For each incident, note:

1. The date and time you noticed it
2. Where it happened
3. What happened, in a sentence or two
4. The names of the files you saved
5. Anyone else who saw it
6. What you did, such as blocking or reporting

Stick to facts and avoid guesses about motives. A calm, factual log tends to be taken more seriously than an emotional summary, although it is perfectly natural to feel emotional.

Store it safely

• Keep copies in a place only you control, such as a folder on your device and a backup. Keeping data backups is a good habit generally, and here it protects your records if a device is lost.
• Do not leave the only copy on the account being targeted, since it could be locked or deleted.
• If the person harassing you may have access to your devices or accounts, consider where they cannot reach. Strengthening your passwords and turning on two-step verification can help.
• Give files clear names, such as the date plus the app.
• Do not post the evidence publicly to prove a point. Sharing abusive or private material can spread harm and complicate a report.

Take care of yourself while collecting

Looking back at abusive messages can be painful. You do not have to do it all at once or alone. A trusted friend can help capture and organize records, as discussed in our piece on supporting a friend. If you find the process overwhelming, save things as they arrive and review them later, or ask someone to assist.

Material you should not copy or share

Some content should be handled differently. If the material involves a child or young person in any sexual or exploitative context, do not take screenshots, save copies or forward it. Make a note of where you found it and report it to your national child-protection hotline or local police. If someone has shared private images of you without consent, do not forward them to others, and ask the platform or police how to document the situation safely. In both cases, local authorities can advise on proper steps.

Using your records

When you are ready to act, your records can support several routes:

• Platform reports. Link to the content and attach screenshots if the form allows. The way reporting tools handle submissions varies, but clear details help.
• School or employer complaints. Many organizations ask for dates, names and examples.
• Police reports. Bring your log and files, and ask what format they prefer.
• Legal advice. A lawyer can tell you which records matter for your situation.

If there are threats or you feel unsafe, do not wait to gather a perfect file. Contact your local emergency services or police first. Evidence can be added later.