Parents Troubled By Surge In Online Bullying And Inappropriate Content

Online Safety Concerns Rise Among Parents

In a revealing December 2025 survey by LocalCircles, concerns about the online safety of children aged 9 to 17 are surfacing with alarming statistics. A striking 50% of parents confessed their children have been either victims of online bullying or have encountered inappropriate content. This survey, which canvassed over 89,000 urban parents across 302 districts, shines a light on a pressing issue that continues to grow in the digital age.

Children in this age bracket are reported to spend over three hours online daily, leading to an increase in issues like anger, lack of sleep, distraction from studies, and anxiety. The survey's demographic breakdown showed that 61% of respondents were men and 39% were women, showcasing a broad spectrum of parental concern over this pervasive issue.

The Spectrum of Online Threats

Further exploring the hazards children face online, the survey highlighted that 54% have been exposed to adult or inappropriate content, while 46% have encountered online bullying and trolling. Alarmingly, the same percentage also reported experiences with AI-driven photo/video morphing and deepfakes. Other concerning issues include inappropriate messages from strangers and threats or blackmail attempts.

“The digital landscape feels more threatening every day,” commented one parent. “It’s crucial that we find better ways to shield our kids.”

Parents also expressed significant worry over the platforms where these threats lurk. Social media was identified by 75% of respondents as the most high-risk platform, followed by online gaming platforms and messaging apps.

Challenges in Reporting Harmful Content

In addition to facing these online dangers, parents revealed that reporting harmful content remains a challenging task. The survey found that 82% of parents find it difficult or very difficult to report child abuse or related harmful content, citing an unclear reporting system and the time-consuming nature of the process.

With only 8% finding the system easy and effective, there is a pressing need for improvement. Parents continue to call for enhanced measures and clearer pathways to protect their children’s digital experiences, demanding more responsive and accessible reporting mechanisms.