Current online harms
Current online harms include the risks children may face online, such as sextortion, deep fakes, grooming, bullying online, harmful content, scams, inappropriate contact, and content that can affect their mood or self esteem.
This section helps you understand what these harms look like today, where they show up, and how to talk with your child so they feel prepared and supported.
The video every older child should watch
Protect Us is a short film exposing the harrowing ways generative AI applications. These are real issues teenagers are faced with when they are online and should be mandatory watching if your child has a phone.
Sextortion
Sextortion is when someone tricks or pressures a child into sharing a personal or inappropriate image and then threatens to share it unless the child does what they want. signs to look for, and how to Tell them if they get a message from an unknown number 'Most people aren't who they say they are'. Encourage them to never have their face on a public profile such as WhatsApp, TikTok or Instagram. If they send a photo of themselves it could be used in sextortion scams: Criminals generate a fake nude and tell the teen they’ll send it to friends or hurt them or their family unless they pay money or send real images. This is a scam.
If you need help:
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Victim support help: Advice for parents if your child is being targeted HERE
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Report this crime HERE
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NSPCC Helpline: Tel 0808 800 5000
Nudify apps
Nudify apps/Deep fakes” are apps or websites that use AI to remove clothing from photos and generate a fake nude image of a person. These images are deepfakes, but they can look very real. Teens can be targeted for fake nudes. These images can be used for bullying, harassment, blackmail or sextortion, humiliation at school.
Chat bot/A.I
AI chatbots are now built into the platforms teens already use from Snapchat’s “My AI” to Google, ChatGPT, Character.AI, and even Instagram. Explain that chatbots are computer programs trained to sound human. They can answer questions, write stories, help with homework, or give advice, look up facts, but they don’t feel, think, or judge like people.
Grooming
Grooming is when someone (usually an adult) manipulates or builds trust with a child in order to exploit or harm them. What can it look like? Its when someone online pretends to be kind to gain trust and get something from you and isolate the child, giving gifts or compliments, attempting secret communication. Explain that groomers may pretend to be your age, share your interests, or give you lots of attention.
If you need help:
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Victim support help: Advice for parents if your child is being targeted HERE
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Report this crime HERE
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NSPCC Helpline: Tel 0808 800 5000
Online trends
TikTok trends and challenges can look harmless and fun, but some can be risky, embarrassing, or push teens into doing things they’d never normally do. Trends spread fast and kids can feel pressure to join in just to fit in or avoid being the only one left out. Some are silly. Some are some can be so dangerous. Tell them “Stop and think before you join in on anything”. Ask themselves if it’s safe, respectful, and really something they want to do. “Your safety matters more than views or likes”.
Cyberbullying
Cyberbullying is when children can be bullied online through messages, posts, or exclusion from groups. It can happen quietly, without you noticing, and it can hurt them deeply. Tell them they’re not alone. Let them know lots of children go through this and it’s never their fault. Tell them that they can block, report, and tell you or a teacher straight away.
Sending
photos
What’s shared online can be copied, saved, or spread, even years later. Once they hit send, someone else is in control of that information. Some people online aren’t who they say they are, and a picture can be used in ways that aren’t safe. Keeping your photos private helps protect you and keeps you safe.
Scams, pop ups and in app purchases
Online scams and in app purchases can be confusing for children because they often look fun, harmless, or part of the game. Scammers try to trick people into sharing personal information, clicking fake links, or spending money without realising it. Some games also encourage quick purchases to get coins, skins, or extra lives, which can add up fast. Teaching kids how to spot tricks and slow down before tapping anything helps them stay safe and avoid surprises.