This page is about things you might come across when you’re online. Find information on using social media, or talking about mental health online and on social media.
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Staying safe online
There’s lots to think about when it comes to staying safe online. The things you share can stay online for a long time, and you can’t always trust people you ‘meet’ online or on social media.
You need to be aware of how to keep yourself safe – for example, by limiting how much you share about yourself online and by knowing how to spot fake accounts, misinformation, and scams.
Childline - staying safe online
Childline - Gaming safety
Online gambling and loot boxes
Gambling is when you risk something (usually money) because there’s a chance you might get a bigger reward. In the UK, you have to be at least 18 to try most forms of gambling.
Examples of gambling include spending money on:
- a scratch card or National Lottery ticket
- a bet with a betting company (for example, on someone scoring in a sports event or a team winning a game or match)
- a bet with a friend or family member about something happening
- playing games (like card games) with friends or family, where you give someone money (or something else valuable) and get money (or something else) back if you win
- online games, where you pay to play and get money back if you win
- arcade machines, including slot machines and claw machines (some arcade gaming machines are legal for children and young people to use)
For some people, gambling occasionally can be fun – but for others, it can harm their wellbeing and mental health and lead to them losing lots of money. Gambling can also be highly addictive.
The internet makes it easier than ever to gamble because you can do it at any time, from anywhere. When gambling becomes a problem, people might try to hide it from other people, and it can be easier to hide online gambling than gambling in-person.
What are the signs that gambling might be becoming a problem?
Some of the signs that gambling might be becoming a problem include:
- Spending more time gambling than you want to
- Spending more than you can afford on gambling
- Trying to ‘win back’ money you’ve lost when gambling (some people call this ‘chasing losses’)
- Needing to gamble more often, or with larger amounts of money, to get the same feeling
- Feeling guilty, low, or anxious about your gambling
- Thinking about gambling a lot, including when you’re not gambling
- Having problems in your relationships with people because of your gambling
- Struggling at work, school, college, or university because you’re thinking about gambling or worried about gambling
- Not wanting to do things you used to enjoy because you’re gambling or thinking about gambling instead
- Hiding or lying about gambling, including how much you’re spending or how often you’re gambling
What are loot boxes, and are they gambling?
Loot boxes are virtual items you can buy (using real-world money) in some video games. They give you random in-game rewards, like different items, skins, and content.
Loot boxes share some features with gambling, because you’re spending real money and don’t know what you’ll get as a result. They can cause people to feel low, anxious, and stressed, especially if they start buying them very often or buying more loot boxes than they can afford.
Get help for gambling or buying loot boxes
Gamble Aware has a range of self-help tools, including one that shows you how gambling might be affecting you and gives you advice on how to stop, as well as tools to help you reduce your gambling or block places you can gamble.
You can also set up spending limits on most gaming platforms, which can be helpful if you play games that sell loot boxes.
Gamble Aware - Tools and Support
Porn
It’s normal to have questions about sex and porn, and to be curious about it. It’s also normal to not be interested in porn at all.
Some people also see pornographic content accidentally when they’re online. If this has happened to you, find out what to do if you see something upsetting online.
More info on porn
Childline has information about porn, which talks about things like the law, staying safe, and revenge porn. The page is for people who are aged 12 and above.
Childline - Online Porn
Brook has information about porn for older young people and adults, which talks about things like consent and when watching porn becomes unhealthy.
Brook - Porn: Important things to know
Sexting and sending nudes
Sometimes, people share sexual messages, photos, and videos online.
It is illegal to send naked pictures or videos of anyone who’s under 18. It is also illegal to send naked pictures or videos to anyone who’s under 18. But it can happen.
If you’ve been affected by sexting or sending nudes, you can find information (including about how to get support) on the Childline or Brook website.
Childline - Sexting
Brook - Sexting
How do you report sexual content online?
If you’re worried about online sexual abuse or the way someone has been communicating with you online, you can make a report to CEOP’s Child Protection Advisors.
And if you’re under 18 and a nude image or video of you (including images that look like you but have been faked using AI) has been shared online, you can report it and get it removed from the internet through Childline’s Report Remove tool.
What to do if you see something upsetting online
If you come across something that’s distressing or inappropriate, you might feel embarrassed, anxious, or scared – or you might not know how you feel. All of these feelings are normal and OK.
Whatever you’ve seen, and however you came across the content, there are things you can do about it and ways you can get support.
How to report online harmful content
If you see something distressing or inappropriate on social media, you can report it.
Depending on the type of content, you can report it directly to the app or through another organisation that can also support you.
You don’t have to report things on your own. You can ask a trusted adult to help you make a report.
Reporting harmful content on social media and games
Report Harmful Content has information about how to report different types of harmful content on social media platforms including TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Roblox, YouTube and Discord, as well as gaming platforms.
Reporting online sexual abuse or unsafe contact
If you’re worried about online sexual abuse or the way someone has been communicating with you online, you can make a report to CEOP’s Child Protection Advisors.
Reporting nude images or videos of under-18s
If you’re under 18 and a nude image or video of you (including images that look like you but have been faked using AI) has been shared online, you can report it and get it removed from the internet through Childline’s Report Remove tool.
Talk to a trusted adult
If you’ve come across something that’s made you uncomfortable, it’s a good idea to speak to an adult you trust, for example, a parent, carer, or teacher.
They can talk to you about the thoughts and feelings you have, whether you want to report what you’ve seen, and what you can do to avoid seeing upsetting content in future.
If you find that you’re still thinking about something you’ve seen in the past, talking to someone about it can help you understand what’s going on in your head think about how you can move forward.
Text NATTER for help
Anyone can text ‘NATTER’ to 85258 to seek
help, wherever they are in the UK. It’s a free, anonymous service and available 24/7.
More about NATTER
