Digital Life

Support Advice for Distressing Content Currently Circulating Online

From time to time, distressing or harmful material circulates online that children and young people may come across often without ever looking for it. When this happens, we write to you not to alarm you, but so that you are prepared and know what to do.

We are deliberately not describing any specific material or naming anyone involved, and we ask that you do the same. Please do not go looking for it, and please do not name it in front of children.

Why we ask you not to name it. When a specific piece of content is circulating, its name becomes a search term. A child who has heard nothing will often go looking the moment they have something to type in. Children overhear far more than we think, a name mentioned across the kitchen bench, in the car, or in a parent group chat is frequently all it takes. And once distressing content is seen, it cannot be unseen. So the most protective thing the adults around a child can do is keep the specifics being names, descriptions, platforms away from them.

This applies to every family, at every age. Please don’t assume this is only relevant for older children, or only for those with a social media account. Harmful content spreads through group chats, messaging apps, gaming platforms, AirDrop and other device-to-device sharing, and public video sites none of which require a social media account, and many of which are used well below the age of 16. Younger children are most often exposed through an older sibling’s screen or a friend’s phone. Age restrictions of 16+ do not necessarily create a wall.

What we ask you to do:

Don’t raise a specific piece of content with your child. This can feel counter-intuitive, but naming something specific creates curiosity and can send a child looking for something they would otherwise never have seen. Instead, have the everyday conversation and remind your child that if they ever see anything online that upsets, frightens or confuses them, they can come to you, and they will not be in trouble. No detail required.

Be present around screens for the next little while. Not surveillance — proximity. Keep phones out of bedrooms and bathrooms, and have devices charge overnight in a shared space.

If your child raises it with you. Stay calm. You can acknowledge that yes, something distressing is circulating and that it’s upsetting, without confirming or supplying any names or details and it’s better that you don’t. Ask them not to watch it, save it, screenshot it, or send it on to anyone, including to warn friends. Forwarding to warn people is one of the main ways this material spreads. Then ask gently, without pressure, have you seen it?

If your child has seen something:

A thumbnail or a few seconds: Stay close, keep routines normal, and keep an eye on sleep and appetite over the coming week. Most children are okay with a calm adult nearby.

Watched it and is upset: Don’t minimise, and don’t press for detail — retelling can deepen distress. Reduce screen time, keep them company, and contact your GP or one of the services below within a few days.

Withdrawn, not sleeping, distressed, or you are worried about their safety: Contact your GP, or call Kids Helpline or Lifeline today. If you believe your child is at immediate risk, call 000.

Reporting harmful content. Harmful or illegal content can be reported to the eSafety Commissioner at esafety.gov.au/report and within the app or platform where you saw it. The eSafety website also has practical advice for young people who have seen distressing content, and for parents supporting them.

Support services (available to everyone in Australia) all available 24/7:

•    Kids Helpline (ages 5–25) — 1800 55 1800 — kidshelpline.com.au

•    Lifeline (all ages) — 13 11 14 text 0477 13 11 14 — lifeline.org.au

•    Suicide Call Back Service (15+) — 1300 659 467

•    headspace (12–25) — 1800 650 890

•    Beyond Blue (all ages) — 1300 22 4636

•    13YARN (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) — 13 92 76

•    Emergency — 000

Being a calm, steady, approachable adult is the most powerful protection any child has.

(Article from Safe on Social)