Internet Matters

Resources to deal with online pornography

See resources and organisations that can help you prevent or deal with exposure to online pornography.

A girl sits in front of a laptop in the dark with her face covered by her hands.

Useful resources

Here are some organisations that offer more advice and guidance on how to protect your child from adult content and things you can do to give them coping strategies to deal with it if they are exposed to it.

It may be helpful for your child to talk through their worries with a trained counsellor from organisations that have experience dealing with a range of online issues. There are a number of free services that can be accessed by phone, email and online chat.

  • Childline – For any worries a child may have
  • Kooth – Online qualified counsellors for children
  • The Mix – Support service for young people under 25
  • Papyrus – Confidential advice for suicidal feelings
  • Samaritans – 24 hour helpline for those struggling to cope

Learn how to set privacy settings, report inappropriate content and check what the minimum age on the most popular social media apps to keep your child safe on social.

Here are specific resources for children that have Special Education Needs and Disabilities or either confused about their sexuality or identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender.

  • Mencap – Help for parents with children with SEND
  • Stonewall – Questions frequently asked by parents with LGBT children

Should your child need extra support, counselling or mentoring to cope with this issue then these organisations may be able to provide advice and services.

  • YoungMinds – Guide to counselling and therapy for young people
  • ChildLine – 1-2-1 online chat, helpline and email with counsellors
  • Counselling Directory – A nationwide counselling directory service to find the one that’s right for your child’s needs
  • Mental Health Foundation – How to talk about mental health with your GP
  • Mind – Guide to get the right mental health support