What is harmful content?
Harmful content is anything – an image, video or words – that causes offence, distress or harm. In the online world, many young people are exposed to violent, abusive, misleading, or sexual content that they’re not developmentally ready for. In fact, a 2022 eSafety report states that 62 per cent of teens had been exposed to harmful content online. But the good news is that half of those surveyed had also reported it.
How are kids and teens being exposed to harmful content? They click on links sent to them, during online gaming, or when using one of the many social media platforms. When young people are exposed to harmful content, it’s normal for them to feel upset, scared, confused, or angry. Open and honest conversation is the start of navigating what your teen has been exposed to.
Find out how you can prevent harmful content entering your teens social media feeds.
Five ways to help your teen navigate harmful content online
1. Open communication
Encourage your teen to have an open and honest conversation with you or another trusted adult without any fear or judgment. Sometimes they might find it difficult to raise the topic, so check in with them regularly.
2. Set clear boundaries
Establish what parental controls and privacy settings will be non-negotiable with your teen and what is deemed appropriate content.
3. Teach critical thinking
Teach your teen to question and analyse before clicking links and downloading any content, including games.
4. Empower teens to report
Encourage teens to seek help from a trusted adult. Show them how to report inappropriate content on different platforms as reporting will help prevent similar content being fed to them in the future.
5. Be a role model
Use the platforms your teen engages with, play games alongside them, and show them how to navigate harmful content.
How teens view their online world
Growing up in a digital world, teens are more aware of their online safety than ever before. In fact, young people generally know how to respond to harmful content and do so by using the tools that platforms provide or speaking with trusted adults in their lives.
77%
of teens aged 12 to 17 understand harmful or illegal content undermines their online experience (2023 study by the University of Sydney).
62%
of teens aged 12 to 17 have been exposed to harmful content including hate speech and violent imagery (2022 eSafety study Mind the Gap).
Where to go for help or advice
You can contact the social media or gaming platform directly to report any harmful content your young person has been exposed to.
The eSafety Commissioner can investigate certain types of harmful content, including material that shows or describes the sexual exploitation or abuse of children, pro-terror material and material that promotes, incites or instructs in matters of crime or violence.
Report content
