My child shared a racist meme from a group chat — how serious is this?

Even if your child did not create the content, sharing it contributes to its spread and normalisation. Depending on the severity and context, it could also have legal implications — content that incites racial hatred is illegal in the UK under the Public Order Act 1986. Have an honest conversation about why it is harmful, and check what other content they are being exposed to in that chat.

I am worried my child is becoming radicalised — what should I do?

Signs of online radicalisation include increased secrecy, expressing extreme views, joining online communities you do not recognise, and becoming dismissive or hostile towards particular groups. Contact the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000 for confidential advice. You can also contact Prevent through your local police force — they offer support and early intervention without automatically leading to criminal action.

Urgent

My Child Is Involved in Online Hate

You have discovered that your child is sharing, creating, or engaging with racist, extremist, or otherwise hateful content online — or alternatively, that your child has been targeted by a coordinated campaign of hate speech. Both situations require immediate, calm action.

Online hate involvement can mean very different things: a child thoughtlessly sharing a meme they do not fully understand, a child who has been drawn into an extremist online community, or a child who is the target of hate speech. Each requires a different response, but all require you to stay calm, gather information before reacting, and involve the right people.

What to do now

Understand the Full Picture

Before taking action, try to understand what your child's involvement actually is. Are they creating content, sharing content made by others, or being targeted? Have they been drawn into a community, or was this a one-off? Talk to your child without accusation to understand the context.

✗ Do not: Do not assume the worst immediately — some children share hateful content without understanding it is hateful. Others are victims. The response to each is quite different.

Preserve Evidence

Screenshot the content, the platform, any associated accounts or group names, and the dates. This applies whether your child is the poster or the target — evidence is needed for any report.

Have a Direct Conversation

If your child has been sharing hateful content: explain clearly why it is harmful, even if it was shared as a joke. If your child is a victim: reassure them that the hate is not a reflection of who they are, and that you will take action together.

Report to the Platform

Most platforms have hate speech reporting options. Report the content or the account. If the content involves calls to violence or organised extremism, also report to the police.

Seek External Support

If your child has been significantly exposed to or drawn into extremist ideology, contact your local safeguarding team or the NSPCC. If your child has been targeted with Islamophobic content, contact Tell MAMA. For other hate incidents, contact Stop Hate UK on 0800 138 1625.

What not to do

✗Do not publicly shame your child for sharing content they may not have understood — this rarely produces the outcome you want.
✗Do not ignore it — even sharing content 'as a joke' normalises hate and can have real consequences for targeted groups.
✗Do not delay involving support services if you believe your child is being radicalised — early intervention is far more effective than late.

Preserving evidence

Why this matters

If you need to report to authorities or a platform, evidence can help.

•Screenshot all relevant content, account names, group names, and platform URLs before reporting or blocking.
•Keep a written record of dates, times, and platforms — particularly if your child is a victim of a sustained campaign.

How to talk to your child

✓If they shared content: 'Can you help me understand why you shared this? I want to understand, not punish you.' Then explain the harm clearly and specifically.
✓If they are a target: 'What has been happening is not okay and it is not about who you are. We are going to report this together and I will support you.'