Online bullying in teens fuels fear and anxiety, survey finds 1 in 2 parents worried

As children spend increasing hours online, concerns around their digital safety are intensifying. A new survey released around Safer Internet Day reveals that one in two urban parents in India say their children aged 9 to 17 have encountered inappropriate content, cyberbullying, or online harassment. The findings, based on responses from tens of thousands of parents across the country, underline growing risks on social media, OTT platforms, and online gaming apps. Parents are now urging stronger safeguards, age verification, and clearer accountability from digital platforms to protect young users from long-term psychological and behavioural harm.

HALF OF URBAN PARENTS FLAG ONLINE DANGERS

The survey, conducted by LocalCircles, shows that 50 per cent of urban parents confirmed their children had been exposed to inappropriate material or bullying online. Parents report encountering harmful videos, abusive messages, and social media harassment, often without warning or effective moderation.

Over the last year, several incidents have highlighted how Indian children and adolescents face serious risks from online interactions. Reported incidents include cases where social and gaming platforms were used by adults or strangers to befriend minors, leading to abduction and sexual assault.

For example, a 16-year-old girl in Ahmedabad was allegedly lured via the game Free Fire by an adult she met online; she was kidnapped and raped before being rescued after coordinated efforts of family, local police and railway police. The suspect was also arrested and charged under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and related laws.

Several other cases have been reported of children using online dating apps or social messaging and encountering predators who organize sexual assault. In Kerala, police charged 14 individuals with sexually assaulting a 16-year-old boy whom they befriended online.

There’s also an ongoing increase in digital sexual abuse material and child pornography concerns. In 2025 alone, Delhi Police’s Special Police Unit for Women and Children (SPUWAC) registered 60 FIRs related to child pornography following hundreds of leads from international partners such as the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.

Nearly 49 per cent of parents said their children spend three hours or more daily on social media, OTT platforms, or online games. A significant number admitted that usage often exceeds six hours. Parents link excessive screen time to rising impatience, aggression, hyperactivity, and reduced attention spans among children.

CYBERBULLYING HITS HARD AT A YOUNG AGE

Parents say cyberbullying has emerged as one of the most distressing online threats. Many children hesitate to report harassment, fearing embarrassment or retaliation. Experts warn that unchecked digital abuse can lead to anxiety, isolation, and long-term emotional distress.

Not all parents or guardians report about cyber bullying. In fact, not all children confide in their parents or even friends when faced with such problems.

The survey asked parents of under 17-year-old children, “How easy or difficult is it today to report online bullying, harassment, or harmful content involving children to platforms or authorities in India?”

Out of 18,151 who responded to the question 8% indicated that it is “very easy and effective”; 7 per cent of respondents indicated that it is “Somewhat easy but slow or unclear”; 17 per cent of respondents indicated that reporting is “difficult and time-consuming”: 29 per cent of respondents indicated that it is in fact “verydifficult; complaints usually go unresolved”; 29 per cent of respondents indicated that they are “not aware of any clear reporting mechanism”; and 10 per cent of respondents did not give a clear answer.

To sum up, 82% parents of children between ages 9-17 surveyed say reporting online bullying, harassment or harmful content involving children to platforms or authorities in India is either difficult, slow and lacks clarity.

WHY KIDS GET HOOKED ONLINE

Parents acknowledge multiple factors driving excessive internet use.

• 28 per cent say devices were given too early
• 26 per cent blame online schooling
• 13 per cent cite peer pressure
• 31 per cent admit children mirror parents’ own screen habits

While a small section of parents believes online exposure has made children more social or happier, most say the negatives far outweigh the benefits.

STRONG DEMAND FOR REGULATION AND AGE CHECKS

A striking 73 per cent of parents want mandatory parental consent for under-18s on social media, gaming, and OTT platforms. About half support Aadhaar-based age verification, including for existing accounts. LocalCircles has submitted the findings to policymakers working on digital privacy and child protection laws.

Despite the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, being operationalised, 82 per cent parents of children between ages 9-17 surveyed say reporting online bullying, harassment or harmful content involving children to platforms or authorities in India is either difficult, slow and lacks clarity.

Thus, over 75 per cent of parents of children between ages 9-17 surveyed say Government needs to ensure time bound mandatory response from platforms on complaints related to online child safety.

As India along with several countries marks Safe Internet Day, this study stresses that more action by platforms and authorities is required to create a safer environment to safeguard young children particularly those below 17 years.

The best-case scenario according to many parents is a ban on usage of such platforms till the age of 16 like multiple states are considering.

However, in absence of that, the Central Government must ensure high levels of responsiveness by platforms as well as Government where complaints are acknowledged in real time and acted upon within hours as compared to days and weeks, which is the case currently.