What can parents do to help siblings feel safe if they also witnessed disturbing content together? 

Parenting Perspective 

When siblings are exposed to disturbing online content together, the experience can feel particularly heavy and confusing. One child might try to minimise the incident, while the other feels deeply shaken, and in some cases, they may even feed into each other’s fear. It is important for parents to treat this not just as an individual issue for each child, but as a family moment that requires collective reassurance, ensuring that all siblings feel safe and guided. 

Acknowledge Their Shared Experience 

Begin by saying something that acknowledges their shared experience: ‘I understand that you both saw something very upsetting. It makes sense that you might be feeling different things about it right now.’ This simple statement validates their emotions without comparing or dismissing either child. 

Provide a Safe Space for Each Voice 

Allow each child to express how the experience made them feel, one at a time and without interruption. It is natural that their reactions might differ; a younger sibling may need simpler language and more comfort, while an older one might have more questions. Ensuring that both are heard prevents resentment or the minimisation of one child’s feelings. 

Reassure Them and Normalise Safety 

Remind them both: ‘You are safe now, and that video cannot harm you here in our home. What is important is that we learn from this experience together.’ This approach shifts the focus from fear to learning and reinforces their sense of security as a family unit. 

Set Clear Protective Measures 

Explain what practical steps you will now take to protect them. This might include adjusting safety filters, changing the rules around supervised device use, or finding alternative platforms. This shows both siblings that the family is united and actively preventing repeats of the negative experience. 

By addressing the siblings together while still respecting their individual feelings, you can create an environment of unity and show them that no child has to process their fear alone. 

Spiritual Insight 

Islam teaches that family members should be protectors of one another, bound together by the ties of love and mercy. When siblings go through a painful or frightening experience together, it can become an opportunity to strengthen those family bonds through mutual support and a shared remembrance of Allah Almighty. 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Tahreem (66), Verses 6: 

‘ O you who are believers, protect yourselves and your families from a Fire (of Jahannam) whose fuel is people and stones…’ 

This verse is a powerful reminder that the duty of guiding and safeguarding the family from all forms of harm is a shared and collective responsibility. 

It is recorded in Riyadh Al Saliheen, Hadith 224, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘The example of the believers in their mutual love, mercy, and compassion is like that of a body; when one limb suffers, the whole body responds with wakefulness and fever.’ 

This beautiful analogy teaches that when one member of the family is hurt or fearful, the entire family unit should respond with collective care, solidarity, and compassion until that member is healed. 

By bringing your children together in a spirit of comfort and gentle guidance, you not only ease their immediate fear but also show them that the family is a safe refuge where mercy and protection are always shared. This helps them to learn, over time, that no matter what they might encounter online, they will never have to face it alone.