ESafety

Distressing Content

Online spaces should be safe for everyone, but you may sometimes come across content that is distressing – especially if it shows extreme violence or acts of terrorism. 

This page has information about what to do and how to get support if you see online content that is seriously harmful and disturbing.

Protect 

Parents and carers may feel that they want to take extra precautions against their children seeing disturbing content online. The eSafety Commissioner’s website has helpful resources on how to get started with  parental controls in social media, games, apps and on devices. These controls can help parents restrict access to places online where there is a higher risk of seeing disturbing content. There is also advice for young people on what they can do themselves.

Report

 If you see violent, distressing or harmful material, make a report to the platform or service where it is available. Reports to the service help get the material removed quickly. Your actions could protect you and others from seeing that content again. If the material is not removed, or if it’s seriously harmful, you can make a report online by visiting ‘eSafety - how to make a report’. Reports about terrorist and extreme violent content can also be made over telephone to the National Security Hotline on 1800 123 400.

Resources for parents and carers

It's important to stay open and talk with your children about the content they are seeing online. Encourage them to tell you what they have seen and how they feel – especially if they are exposed to material that is distressing or violent.  

Sometimes parents and carers might need to take extra precautions to protect their children from seeing disturbing content online. Take a look at our resources in the Parents section of the website for advice about parental controls and what to do if your child sees distressing or violent content.