Harmful Online Content
How children encounter harmful content online and what parents can do to reduce exposure and respond supportively.
What is this?
Harmful content includes material that is violent, sexual, promotes self-harm, eating disorders, or extremist views. Children can encounter it accidentally through search engines, social media algorithms, or deliberately through peer sharing. Even a brief exposure can be distressing, and repeated exposure can normalise harmful behaviours.
How it works
Social media algorithms can inadvertently recommend progressively more extreme content based on a child's engagement patterns. Harmful content can also be shared directly in group chats, on forums, or through links from peers. Some content is deliberately designed to appear in search results that children might use, and age verification on many platforms is easily bypassed.
Warning signs
In your child's behaviour
- • Appearing disturbed, withdrawn, or distressed after time online
- • Showing a sudden interest in topics like self-harm, extreme dieting, or violence
- • Asking unusually mature or concerning questions that do not match their age
On their device
- • Browser history or search terms relating to harmful or distressing topics
- • Following accounts or joining communities that promote self-harm, extreme dieting, or violence
- • Receiving or sharing graphic images or videos in messages
Prevention steps
Enable SafeSearch and content filters
Turn on SafeSearch in Google, Bing, and YouTube. Use built-in content restrictions on social media platforms. These are not foolproof but reduce the likelihood of accidental exposure.
Talk about what to do if they see something upsetting
Let your child know they can close the screen, leave the page, and come to you without getting into trouble. Normalise the idea that even adults sometimes see things online that upset them.
Use DNS-level filtering
Consider a family-friendly DNS service (such as CleanBrowsing or OpenDNS Family Shield) on your home router to filter harmful content across all devices on your network.
What to do if it happens
- 1Listen calmly and validate their feelings — do not dismiss what they have seen or react with alarm that makes them regret telling you.
- 2Report the content to the platform and, if it involves child sexual abuse material, to the IWF or CEOP immediately.
- 3If your child is distressed or the content relates to self-harm, contact Childline (0800 1111) or your GP for support.
Related topics
If you need to report this
In immediate danger: call 999. For non-emergency police matters, call 101.
Concerned about a child but it's not an emergency? NSPCC helpline 0808 800 5000. Childline for young people 0800 1111.
This is practical educational content to support families. For case-specific concerns about a child's safety, contact the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000 or your local safeguarding team.
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Last reviewed: 2026-04-19