Annie, a 14-year-old girl, finds solace in the vast world of online chatting, where she soon connects with a boy named Charlie. Initially presenting himself as a 16-year-old, their conversations flourish even though they have yet to meet in person. Annie's parents, wrapped up in their own complications and only aware of Charlie’s name, remain largely absent from significant discussions about their daughter's online interactions.
When she receives a laptop as a birthday gift, Annie eagerly begins sharing pictures of herself with Charlie. As their relationship deepens, he reveals that he's actually 20, only to later claim he's 25. Meanwhile, Annie's older brother departs for college, prompting their parents to take him to campus. In the midst of this familial transition, Charlie proposes a meeting at the mall, and Annie, feeling affection for him, readily agrees.
Upon her arrival, however, Annie is met not with the charming teen she envisioned, but rather with a 35+ year-old man who boldly claims to be Charlie. Shocked yet manipulated by the trust he developed over their two-month correspondence, Annie allows him to lead her away, initially enchanted by the present he gives her—a red bra and panties. After trying on the lingerie, she finds herself drawn into a troubling situation at a nearby motel, where he gradually seduces her and records their intimate encounter without her consent.
In the aftermath of this traumatic event, Annie is unable to reach out to Charlie, and her best friend witnesses their unseemly interaction. This revelation leads her friend to alert the principal, resulting in Annie undergoing tests and evidence collection. When her parents learn the disturbing truth, they are horrified to discover that their daughter still harbors feelings for Charlie.
The situation escalates as the FBI steps in to take charge of the case, launching a sweeping investigation into online predators. Desperate for answers, Annie's father embarks on his own quest to find Charlie, leading the family into a spiral of chaos and despair. Annie eventually discovers a chilling reality when the FBI presents evidence of Charlie's manipulative pattern, showing photos of three other victims—two of whom share Annie's age and one who is merely 12 years old. Her admiration turns to hatred.
Returning to school, Annie attempts to reconcile with her friend, who accidentally reveals the existence of a disturbing sex website. When Annie visits it, she is confronted with a grotesque image taunting her involving a sensationalized caption that reads, “Annie likes Dick.” The impact of this violates her sense of self-worth, driving her to a breaking point where she resorts to taking an overdose of pills in a desperate attempt to escape her anguish.
Thankfully, her father finds her in time, and she is rushed to the hospital. After a period of recovery, Annie begins to address her trauma, allowing her life to stabilize once again. However, in a distressing closing scene, video camera footage emerges featuring a man capturing moments of what appears to be his son. The boy turns the camera towards him, revealing this man to be Charlie, who is then introduced as a Physics teacher by Annie's older brother. With chilling intent, a woman soon approaches them, and Charlie's unsettling smile lingers, suggesting he remains at large and continues to pose a threat.
