Upsetting Content: What to Do When You See Something Disturbing
A conversation guide to help children process and report disturbing or harmful content they encounter online.
No matter how careful you are with parental controls, there is always a chance your child will stumble across something upsetting online — whether violent content, scary images, or inappropriate material. This conversation prepares them to respond calmly and seek help.
When to have this conversation
Before your child starts browsing independently, and again if you suspect they have encountered something disturbing.
Before you start
- • Accept that exposure is likely at some point and focus on building a response plan rather than trying to prevent it entirely.
- • Think about your own reaction — if your child sees you panic, they may not tell you next time.
- • Know the reporting routes: platform reporting tools, CEOP, and the Internet Watch Foundation.
Conversation by age group
"Sometimes when you are using a tablet, something might pop up that looks scary or yucky. Let's talk about what to do."
parent
"If you ever see something on a screen that makes you feel scared, upset, or confused, I want you to close the lid or turn the screen over and come and find me straight away."
child
"What if it is really scary?"
parent
"That is exactly why you come to me. I will sort it out. You are not in trouble — sometimes things pop up that are not meant for children, and it is not your fault."
parent
"Remember: close the lid, walk away, and tell a grown-up. That is all you need to do."
Give them a simple three-step rule they can remember easily.
Tips for this age
- • Practise the 'close, walk away, tell' routine so it becomes automatic.
- • Reassure them repeatedly that they will never be punished for seeing something accidentally.
"I want to talk about what to do if you come across something really disturbing online."
parent
"At some point, you might see something online that upsets you — maybe violent content, something sexual, or something just really unpleasant. It happens to most people. What matters is what you do next."
child
"I would just scroll past it."
parent
"That is fine for most things. But if it is something serious — especially anything involving children being hurt — report it using the platform's tools and tell me. We might need to report it officially too."
parent
"And if something stays in your head and bothers you afterwards, please talk to me. There is no shame in being affected by what you see online."
Tips for this age
- • Acknowledge that their friends may share disturbing content as a 'dare' — help them feel confident saying no.
- • Discuss the difference between accidentally seeing something and deliberately seeking it out.
Follow-up actions
- → Check that SafeSearch and content filters are enabled on all devices your child uses.
- → Make sure your child knows how to use the report button on every platform they access.
Related safety topics
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.