What is inappropriate content?
Guidance to adult content impacting kids
Find out about different types of inappropriate content your child might see across the platforms and apps they use.
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Quick tips
4 things to know about inappropriate content
Inappropriate content includes information, images or material that’s directed at adults. This might also include inaccurate information or information that might lead or tempt your child into unlawful or dangerous behaviour.
It can take many shapes, and impacts on wellbeing depend on each child.
Young people sometimes send inappropriate content to others. While it’s essential to agree an action plan for how your child should respond, we also have guides to support children affected by child-on-child abuse and what action parents should take.
Mum, Emma, shares an example where a child AirDropped violent content to her daughter’s phone.
There are a few things that could increase the chance of your child accessing inappropriate content. These might include:
- Joining social networks before reaching the minimum age, which is normally 13 or older
- Unsupervised access to the internet in private rather than in common spaces at home
- Playing games and using apps which are not appropriate for their age or development
- Streaming content which might show inappropriate material or taking part in livestreams and unconsciously being exploited
- Limited parental controls to restrict access
Pan European Game Information (PEGI) informs consumers in the UK and mainland Europe about video game ratings. You can use these to check whether games are suitable for your child.
Other media such as films, content on streaming services and social media platforms have their own systems of ratings as well.
However, the best thing you can do is review content your child wishes to access or set up parental controls to limit access to inappropriate content.
- Learn about inappropriate content
- Inappropriate content facts and statistics
- Where do children see adult content?
- Is the content my child sees appropriate for them?
Learn about inappropriate content
Inappropriate content is can take many forms, from inaccurate information, to content that may lead your child to unlawful behaviour. Children with unsupervised access to the internet can stumble across this content or it could even be sent to them directly by another child or adult. The most common forms it could take are:
- Pornographic material
- Content containing profanity or vulgar language
- Sites that encourage vandalism, crime, terrorism, racism, eating disorders or suicide
- Pictures, videos or games which show images of violence or cruelty to other people or animals
- Gambling sites
- Unmoderated chat rooms – where there’s no one supervising the conversation and barring unsuitable comments.
- Sexism or sites that misrepresent people of different genders
- Content that promotes hate against protected characteristics
Some content may also exploit children for different purposes such as grooming or county lines.
Inappropriate content facts and statistics
of parents expressed concern about their child encountering age-inappropriate content online, and 73% were specifically worried about exposure to ‘adult’ or sexual material. (Ofcom)
of children aged 8 to 17 had encountered content online that they felt was inappropriate or made them worried or upset. (Children’s Commissioner for England)
Exposure to violent content on social media has led to increased fear among teenagers, with about one in four encountering such material. (Youth Endowment Fund (2024))
Where do children see adult content?
Our research tells us as children become more active online, it’s more likely that they’ll see something inappropriate. This could include content such as violent videos, adult jokes or suggestive imagery. They can come across this content on social media, in video games, through streamed media and more. Moreover, accessing platforms or content unsuitable for their age can leave them open to this content.
As such, it’s important for children to use platforms appropriate for their age as well as their maturity and development. Not every child aged 13+ is ready for social media, for instance.
In many cases, a child might not tell anyone about what they’ve seen. For example, 21% of children report seeing violent content online but only 14% of parents reported the same for their child.
Is the content my child sees appropriate for them?
While most films are clearly labelled, it’s often more tricky when it comes to the internet. Video games, such as Fortnite or Minecraft are subject to Pan European Game Information (PEGI ratings). These are used to advise the type of content a video game has and age groups they’re suitable for. Learn more about video game ratings.
However, it’s important to consider the individual child; content ratings are a guideline unless specified in a platform’s terms of use. Content appropriate for one 13-year-olds might not be appropriate for another 13-year-old. Some children will have different needs, maturity levels and critical thinking skills.
The best thing you can do is review the content they access to decide for yourself what is appropriate.
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Get personalised advice and ongoing support
The first step to ensure your child’s online safety is getting the right guidance. We’ve made it easy with our ‘My Family’s Digital Toolkit.’