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My child is imitating 
what they saw online

Help and guidance from a parent who has been through this - this is not professional advice. 

Sometimes children come across sexual or adult content without meaning too. It can happen through adverts, links, pop ups, or even when another child shows them something. It can be confusing or upsetting because they don’t understand what they’ve seen and since children learn by copying, they may act out bits of it without knowing what it means.

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What you might notice

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  • “Funny” or exaggerated dances or poses that seem too grown up

  • Your child describing a friend as “weird” or saying someone is “doing weird things” because they don’t understand what it is.

  • Repeating phrases, sounds, lyrics or movements from adult videos.

  • Curiosity about body parts or relationships that feels sudden.

  • Changes in mood, secrecy, or embarrassment around devices.

  • This doesn’t mean your child is being deliberately sexual. It usually means they’ve come across something they couldn’t make sense of.

  • You feel uncomfortable with some of the behaviours or sounds. 

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What to do​

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  • Stay calm and curious. Ask gently, “That dance you were doing. Where did you see it” You aren’t trying to catch them out. You’re trying to understand what they saw.

  • Avoid shaming. Say something like, “That video isn’t really made for children. It can show things that aren’t kind or real. Let’s find something happier for you to watch.”

  • Shame shuts children down. Calm honesty keeps the door open.

  • Reinforce body safety. “You’re in charge of your body.” “Private parts are private.”“If anyone ever shows you something that feels strange or confusing, tell me straight away.” These sentences build safety without fear.

  • Redirect with positive options. Offer age appropriate music, games or creative play to shift their attention and reset things.

  • Check device settings. Turn on restricted modes. Use privacy and safety settings on YouTube, TikTok and Roblox. Keep devices in shared spaces where you can stay involved without hovering.

  • If you’re worried, reach out for support.

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Help ​

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