What can parents do if they feel overwhelmed or unqualified to address online harms their child faces? 

Parenting Perspective 

When a child is facing complex online harms like cyberbullying or manipulation, it is perfectly natural for a parent to feel overwhelmed and unqualified. The digital world changes so quickly that no parent can be expected to know everything. The key is to respond not with panic, but with a humble willingness to learn and to seek help, modelling resilience for your child in the process. 

Acknowledge the Feeling of Being Overwhelmed 

The first step is to be honest with yourself and your child, rather than pretending to have all the answers. You can say to your child, ‘I may not know everything about this situation, but I am here to help you, and we will figure it out together.’ This honesty builds trust and reassures your child that they are not alone. 

Seek Knowledge and Support 

Parents can actively empower themselves by learning about online risks from reliable sources, such as community workshops or trusted professional guides. Consulting with your child’s teachers or school counsellors can also provide practical tools and support. This approach shifts your response from a feeling of helplessness to one of proactive learning and protection. 

Model Growth and Teamwork 

By admitting your own limitations while also showing a sincere willingness to learn, you can teach your child an important life lesson: that seeking help is not a weakness, but a sign of true wisdom. Working together to explore safe digital spaces or to research solutions as a family can turn your feelings of inadequacy into an opportunity for shared growth. 

Spiritual Insight 

Islam teaches that our role as parents is to offer sincere guidance to the best of our ability, not to be perfect experts in every worldly matter. By reframing their role from ‘expert’ to ‘sincere guide and learner,’ parents can overcome their feelings of inadequacy, knowing that their effort and their trust in Allah are what truly matter. 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Baqarah (2), Verses 286: 

‘ Allah (Almighty) does not place any burden on any human being except that which is within his capacity; bearing the (fruits of the) goodness he has earnt, and bearing the (consequences of the) evil he has earnt (in the worldly life)…’ 

This verse is a profound comfort, reminding parents that Allah never expects more from them than they are capable of. He grants them the strength to guide and protect their children within the means that they have. 

It is recorded in Sahih Muslim, 55, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘The religion is sincere advice.’ 

This teaching clarifies that the essence of guidance is not about having all the knowledge, but about offering sincere counsel, seeking help when it is needed, and acting always with honesty and care. 

Your sincerity, humility, and genuine effort, supported by seeking knowledge and placing your trust in Allah, are more than enough to help your children navigate the challenges of the online world with resilience and faith.