Can seeing violent content cause PTSD in children?

While most children recover from a single exposure with parental support, repeated or particularly graphic exposure can contribute to trauma symptoms in some children. Signs to watch for include persistent nightmares, flashbacks, avoidance of screens or certain topics, hypervigilance, and emotional numbing. If these symptoms persist beyond a few weeks, consult your GP for a CAMHS referral.

My child actively seeks out violent content. Should I be worried?

Some curiosity about violence is developmentally normal, especially in older children and teenagers. However, if your child is regularly seeking graphic content, seems desensitised, or is drawn to extremist material, this warrants a calm conversation about why they find it interesting and whether it is affecting them. If you are concerned, the NSPCC helpline can advise.

How do I report terrorist or extremist content?

Report terrorist or extremist content to the Counter Terrorism Internet Referral Unit (CTIRU) at gov.uk/report-terrorism. You can report anonymously. If you believe someone is being radicalised, you can also contact the Prevent programme through your local police.

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My Child Has Seen Violent or Disturbing Content Online

Your child has seen violent, graphic, or disturbing content online. This could include real-world violence or conflict footage, graphic injury or death, animal cruelty, self-harm or suicide content, terrorist or extremist propaganda, or horror content that is not age-appropriate.

Children can encounter violent or disturbing content in many ways — through social media algorithms, group chats, search results, or even news coverage. The impact depends on the child's age, what they saw, and how the adults around them respond. Most children will process the experience and recover well with the right support, especially when a trusted adult helps them make sense of what happened.

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Remove the Content and Comfort

Close or turn off the device. Sit with your child and offer physical comfort if they want it. Let them know they are safe and that what they saw was not happening to them or anyone they know (if that is true).

✗ Do not: Do not watch the content yourself in front of your child or make them revisit it.

Acknowledge Their Feelings

Children may feel scared, confused, angry, or numb. All of these reactions are normal. Say things like 'It's understandable that you feel upset after seeing that' and 'It's okay to feel however you feel about it.'

Help Them Process What They Saw

In age-appropriate terms, help your child understand what the content was. For news-related violence, explain that these events are reported precisely because they are unusual. For fictional content, distinguish it from reality. For self-harm content, see the specific guidance below.

Report the Content

Report the content to the platform using their reporting tools. If the content is illegal (terrorist material, child abuse imagery, or content inciting violence), report to the relevant authority: the Internet Watch Foundation for child abuse imagery, or the police for terrorist content.

Monitor for Delayed Reactions

Some children seem fine initially but develop nightmares, anxiety, or behavioural changes days or weeks later. Check in with your child regularly over the following weeks. If distress persists or worsens, seek professional support from your GP.

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✗Do not tell your child to 'toughen up' or dismiss their reaction — children process violence differently from adults.
✗Do not let younger siblings or other children see the content while you review or report it.
✗Do not repeatedly discuss the specific content in detail — focus on your child's feelings rather than replaying what they saw.

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•Note the platform, URL, and any account that shared the content. Take a screenshot of the link or post (not the graphic content itself) for reporting purposes.
•If the content was sent directly to your child by another person, record that person's username and profile details.

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✓For younger children: 'You saw something that was not meant for children. It is normal to feel scared or upset. I am here to help you feel safe.'
✓For older children: 'Some of the things people share online can be really disturbing. It is okay if that affected you — it would affect most people. Let's talk about it if you want to.'
✓If the content involved self-harm or suicide, ask your child gently if they have ever had similar thoughts. This question does not plant ideas — it opens a door. If they say yes, contact your GP or Childline immediately.