Nowadays, we are always glued to our screens. From work emails and video calls to social media scrolling and online entertainment, digital devices have become an inseparable part of everyday life. Children, too, are growing up in this hyperconnected environment. Whether attending online classes, watching videos, playing games or interacting with friends, their lives are increasingly shaped by digital platforms. While this connectivity offers convenience and learning opportunities, it has also exposed children to serious online risks.
A new survey conducted by LocalCircles has found that one in two parents of children aged 9–17 say their kids were exposed to inappropriate content or faced online bullying. Many parents reported that such experiences led to emotional withdrawal, aggressive behaviour, fear and anxiety in their children.
The survey received over 89,000 responses from urban Indian parents of children aged 9–17 across 302 districts. Of these, 61% respondents were men and 39% were women. In terms of location, 44% respondents were from tier 1 districts, 33% from tier 2 districts and 23% from tier 3 and tier 4 districts, reflecting diverse participation from across urban India.
Considering that cyberbullying and harmful online exposure can have a severe impact on adolescents’ emotional and psychological well-being, requiring urgent and coordinated action to protect children.
Are children being exposed to harmful content online?
As children increasingly spend time online, often without constant supervision, the survey asked parents of under-17 children: “What types of online risks or harmful experiences have children between ages 9–17 in your family faced on the internet in the last 12 months?" Of the 18,264 parents who responded, many selected more than one option, indicating that children often face multiple risks simultaneously.
The survey found that 54% of respondents indicated their under-17-year-old kids have faced “exposure to inappropriate or adult content" on the internet in the last 12 months. This was the most commonly reported risk, highlighting how easily children can encounter unsuitable material online.
Additionally, 46% of respondents indicated their children experienced “online bullying or trolling by peers." Another 46% reported “AI-based photo/video morphing or deepfake misuse," reflecting emerging digital threats involving the manipulation of children’s images.
Further, 39% of respondents reported incidents of “harassment or abusive messages from strangers," while 33% indicated their children faced “threats, blackmail, or coercion." Around 26% of respondents said their children encountered “Online scams or fraud attempts targeting the child."
At the same time, 26% of respondents indicated that “No such issues (have been) faced so far," and 13% did not give a clear answer. These findings show that while some children remain unaffected, a significant proportion face serious online risks.
Which platforms pose the greatest risk to children?
To understand where children are most vulnerable, the survey asked parents: “On which type of platforms do you believe children, between ages 9–17, are most vulnerable to bullying, harassment, or exploitation?" Of the 18,738 parents who responded, many identified multiple platforms.
The largest group, 75%, indicated that children are most vulnerable on “social media (Instagram, Snapchat, Discord, BeReal, etc.)." Social media platforms, designed to encourage sharing and interaction, expose children to peers and strangers alike, increasing the risk of harassment and bullying.
Additionally, 52% of respondents identified “online gaming platforms and in-game chats" as major risk areas. These platforms often allow interaction with unknown users, making children vulnerable to harmful conversations or exploitation.
Another 46% of respondents indicated children are vulnerable “across most platforms," suggesting that online risks are widespread rather than limited to specific apps. Messaging apps such as WhatsApp and Telegram were identified by 42% of respondents, while 33% pointed to “video/OTT platforms (YouTube, live streams, etc.)."
Even educational platforms were not entirely risk-free, with 4% of respondents identifying “educational or learning platforms" as areas of concern. Meanwhile, 10% did not give a clear answer. These findings highlight that children face risks across nearly all types of digital platforms.
How does cyberbullying affect children emotionally?
The emotional and behavioural impact of online harm emerged as one of the most serious concerns in the survey. Parents were asked: “What impact, if any, have such online experiences had on children between ages 9–17 in your family?" Of the 17,547 parents who responded, many reported significant changes in their children’s behaviour and emotional state.
The largest group, 61%, indicated that online experiences led to “anger or aggressive behaviour" in their child. This suggests that online harassment can trigger frustration and emotional distress.
Another 54% of respondents reported “mood swings or emotional withdrawal," indicating that children often internalise distress and become socially withdrawn. Meanwhile, 46% of respondents said their children experienced “fear or anxiety," reflecting the psychological impact of cyberbullying.
The survey also found that 41% of respondents observed “sleep issues or reduced concentration," which can affect academic performance and overall well-being. Additionally, 34% of respondents reported “loss of confidence or self-esteem."
Overall, the findings show that 1 in 2 parents whose children experienced bullying, harassment or trolling said it resulted in emotional withdrawal, aggressive behaviour, fear and anxiety. These outcomes demonstrate that cyberbullying can have serious and lasting effects on children’s mental health.
Why is reporting cyberbullying still difficult?
Despite widespread concerns, many parents reported challenges in reporting harmful online incidents. The survey asked: “How easy or difficult is it today to report online bullying, harassment, or harmful content involving children to platforms or authorities in India?" Of the 18,151 parents who responded, most indicated difficulties.
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Only 8% said reporting is “very easy and effective," while 7% said it is “somewhat easy but slow or unclear." In contrast, 17% said reporting is “difficult and time-consuming," and 29% said it is “very difficult; complaints usually go unresolved."
Another 29% of respondents said they are “not aware of any clear reporting mechanism," while 10% did not give a clear answer. Combined, these responses show that 82% of parents believe reporting online bullying or harmful content is difficult, slow or unclear.
This lack of accessible and effective reporting systems may prevent timely intervention and allow harmful behaviour to continue.
What action do parents want from the government and platforms?
Given these challenges, parents strongly emphasised the need for stronger intervention. The survey asked: “What should India prioritise to ensure faster and more effective complaint redressal for online safety issues involving children?" Of the 17,118 parents who responded, most supported stronger regulation and accountability.
The largest group, 78%, called for “stronger penalties for platforms ignoring child safety complaints." Similarly, 76% said there should be a “time-bound mandatory response from platforms," ensuring quicker resolution.
Additionally, 63% supported a “single national helpline/portal for all child online safety complaints," while 61% emphasised the need for “dedicated child online safety units in cyber police cells."
Another 57% called for “mandatory human review (not AI-only) for child safety complaints," reflecting concerns about relying solely on automated systems. Meanwhile, 52% supported “simplified in-app reporting designed specifically for children and parents."
Only 3% did not give a clear answer, indicating strong consensus among parents.
The findings highlight growing concern about children’s online safety in India. As digital access expands, children are increasingly exposed to both opportunities and serious risks, including bullying, harmful content and exploitation. Ensuring stronger safeguards, accountability and awareness is essential to protect children from online harm.
This story is done in collaboration with First Check, which is the health journalism vertical of DataLEADS.
