For Parents
Online Harm and Abuse
Children can face many different types of harm online, and it’s not always easy to spot. They might be bullied by people they know or by large groups of strangers — sometimes this is called “dogpiling.” Bullying can involve mean comments, videos of school fights, or even fake videos (called deepfakes) made to embarrass or harm someone.
Kids can also come across adult content like pornography. While curiosity is natural, this kind of content can give them unhealthy and unrealistic ideas about sex, relationships, and how to treat others. Some young people even struggle to form real-life connections because of what they’ve seen online.
Grooming
Another serious risk is online grooming, where adults pretend to be someone else — often another child — to build trust and take advantage of children. This can happen very quickly and often without parents knowing, especially if a child feels isolated or has low self-esteem.
That’s why it’s so important for parents and caregivers to stay involved, talk regularly with their children, and help them learn how to stay safe online.
To learn what you can do to PREVENT or REPORT online harm and abuse and support your children please click the button below to access our FREE eLearning on Parenting in the Digital World.
Together we CAN make a difference!
