What to Do If Your Child Encounters Shocking Content Online
When Your Child Sees Something They Shouldn’t
It’s a quiet evening. You’re finally catching your breath after dinner when your 8-year-old comes to you, eyes wide, clearly shaken. "Mom... I saw something really weird online." Your heart sinks.
It's a moment no parent wants to face — yet it's one we must prepare for. Despite filters, parental controls, and your best efforts, children aged 6 to 12 can, and unfortunately do, stumble upon content that is violent, disturbing, or inappropriate. In today’s digital world, it’s not always a matter of if, but when. So how can you respond — and more importantly, how can you help your child process and move forward?
Start With Safety, Then Understanding
When your child is exposed to shocking content, your first instinct may be to react strongly. But what they need in that moment is your calm, not alarm. Sit down with them, offer a hug or gentle reassurance, and create a space where they feel safe to talk. Ask, gently, what they saw and how it made them feel. Let them lead, and avoid pushing for details that might re-traumatize or confuse them further.
Your goal here is not to interrogate, but to support. A child might feel guilty, ashamed, or blame themselves—especially if they clicked on something they were curious about. Make it clear: they are not in trouble. Navigating digital spaces is complex, even for adults. Your focus is helping them feel heard and cared for, not judged.
Why Shocking Content Affects Children Differently
At 6 to 12 years old, children's brains are still developing the ability to discern fiction from reality and to manage complex emotions. Videos or images that include graphic violence, sexual content, or disturbing scenarios can leave a lasting emotional impression—even if they did not fully understand what they saw.
Some children may become anxious or develop trouble sleeping. Others might have questions but feel too uncomfortable to ask. It’s important to normalize their feelings and remind them that being scared or upset is a natural reaction. Talk openly (in age-appropriate terms) about what they saw and help them unpack what they experienced.
If needed, you can follow up in a few days, as children often won't process everything right away. And in some cases, don't hesitate to reach out to a mental health professional familiar with childhood media trauma.
Using the Experience to Strengthen Digital Literacy
Every mistake or scary incident can also be a teaching opportunity. Rather than only banning certain apps or platforms, use this moment to have an honest conversation about the digital world.
Children often fall into difficult situations out of curiosity. Talk with them about what to do the next time something strange or upsetting comes up. Encourage them to:
- Pause and take a breath
- Come directly to you or another trusted adult
- Ask questions about what they’re unsure of — without fear of punishment
You can also work together on learning how different types of content are flagged, how to recognize misleading titles or clickbait, and how to exit a site quickly. This helps them build critical thinking and resilience, not just fear.
For more guidance on this topic, check out this article on introducing digital technology responsibly.
Preventing Future Incidents Without Over-Isolating
Understandably, your first reaction may be to lock everything down. While adding parental controls, safe browsing tools, and age-appropriate apps is wise, a completely restrictive approach can backfire. Kids may just turn to friends’ devices or figure out workarounds.
Instead, involve your child in creating a safer screen environment together. Reevaluate the games, platforms, and websites they often use. Is YouTube unrestricted? Are browser filters set appropriately? Are you using platforms made specifically for children, and are they truly safe? (You can read more in this breakdown of kids’ apps you can really trust.)
And critically, think about quality over quantity. Instead of just managing screen time, seek out content that actively supports your child's growth and security. For example, audio-based storytelling apps like LISN Kids give children a wealth of age-appropriate adventures — from magical tales to fun science series — without the visual stimuli that often cause overstimulation or risk. Available on iOS and Android, this kind of safe and enriching digital content can be a valuable alternative when you're looking for something both fun and calming to share with your child.
Healing and Moving Forward
If your child continues to express fear, anxiety, or confusion days after seeing something disturbing, it’s a sign that more support may be needed. This could include more frequent conversations, emotional check-ins, or even working with a counselor. The experience doesn’t have to define them — but how it’s handled can shape how confident and safe they feel going forward.
When you respond with empathy and presence, you’re giving your child a powerful message: no screen, no app, no image is too frightening to talk about. You are their safe place. And together, you can filter the world—not just through settings and apps, but through care, conversation, and trust.
Looking for more ideas on reducing screen-related anxiety at bedtime? You may enjoy our article on soothing evening routines without screens.
Or, if you're concerned about excessive exposure, read about how to spot and curb screen addiction early.