What steps help when a rumour spreads on Instagram or TikTok? 

Parenting Perspective 

When a rumour about your child begins to spread online, whether through Instagram stories, TikTok videos, or group comments, it can feel like an uncontrollable fire. Even if the rumour is entirely false, its visibility can make it feel real. For your child, every scroll can seem like a form of public judgment. As a parent, your goal is not only to manage the situation but also to protect your child’s dignity, stabilise their emotions, and help them navigate the truth in a volatile digital environment. 

Begin with Calm and Reassurance 

When your child shares what is happening, it is crucial to avoid reacting with shock or anger. Instead, offer steady and immediate reassurance: 

• ‘I believe you.’ 

• ‘This is not your fault.’ 

• ‘We will get through this together.’ 

Those first words set the emotional tone. When children feel believed and protected, they are better able to think clearly, rather than spiralling into shame or panic. 

Address the Emotional Impact First 

Before tackling the rumour itself, focus on your child’s inner world. They might be feeling humiliated, anxious, or betrayed. Create a safe space where they can express their feelings or simply be quiet. Listen more than you speak. Then, affirm their position by saying, ‘A lie can travel fast, but the truth always stands firm.’ This helps to restore their perspective and begins the process of separating their self-worth from the noise of others. 

Document, Report, and Request Removal 

Ask calmly where the rumour has appeared, whether in posts, comments, or stories. Take screenshots, save any relevant links, and note the usernames of those involved. This is not for the purpose of revenge, but to protect your child’s integrity. This documentation will be essential if the issue needs to be escalated. 

Most platforms, including Instagram and TikTok, have tools for reporting harmful content, harassment, or impersonation. Use these tools promptly. Encourage your child not to reply publicly or argue online, as direct engagement often fuels the drama. Instead, take the quiet but firm route of reporting and blocking. If the rumour involves classmates, contact the school discreetly with clear evidence and ask them to intervene in line with their cyberbullying policy. A factual, cooperative tone will always be more effective than an accusatory one. 

Rebuild Confidence Through Real-World Connections 

Help your child to reconnect with their life offline. Digital pain feels smaller when they are surrounded by the warmth and belonging of family, friends, and hobbies. Remind them, ‘The people who truly matter know your truth.’ When you shift their attention from the screen to their soul, you are teaching emotional resilience: the ability to remain upright when falsehoods swirl around them. 

Teach Digital Wisdom and Perspective 

Once the immediate crisis has passed, use this as an opportunity to discuss the deeper lessons: 

• ‘Never share very private feelings or photos online.’ 

• ‘Not everything needs a defence; sometimes silence is what protects your peace.’ 

Guide them to recognise that social media often rewards instant reaction, but faith teaches reflection. Choosing dignity over a public response is not a sign of weakness; it is a sign of maturity. 

Your goal is not to erase every rumour, but to raise a child whose confidence and sense of truth stand unshaken by them. 

Spiritual Insight 

Islam teaches that spreading rumours (namimah and ghibah) is among the gravest of sins, as it destroys trust and corrodes the community. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ warned that words can wound deeply, even when spoken behind someone’s back, and this is magnified when they are shared publicly online. When you help your child face falsehood with patience and grace, you are teaching them to embody sabr (steadfastness) and tawakkul (trust in Allah). 

The Condemnation of Rumour-Spreading in the Quran 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Noor (24), Verse 19: 

‘Indeed, those people that like to propagate (false accusations of) immorality against those people who are believers; for them is a dreadful punishment in the worldly life and in the Hereafter; and Allah (Almighty) is fully aware, and you do not know it.’ 

This verse reveals that spreading scandal or falsehood is not a form of entertainment; it is a moral corruption. It reminds your child that those who create or forward rumours are earning a heavy spiritual accountability for themselves. Their mockery may trend for a moment, but the justice of Allah Almighty endures eternally. 

The Prophet’s ﷺ Warning Against Spreading Lies 

It is recorded in Mishkaat Al Masaabih, Hadith 156, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘It is enough of a lie for a man to narrate everything he hears.’ 

This teaching shows that even the act of repeating unverified talk is a type of falsehood. It is a perfect mirror to today’s culture of instant reposts and viral rumours. Sharing this hadith with your child can help them to see that seeking and speaking the truth online is an act of worship, and that choosing silence when falsehood spreads is a sign of strength. 

When a rumour spreads online, your calm, faith-filled response becomes your child’s anchor. You are showing them that the truth does not need to shout to be heard; it simply needs to stand firm. 

Over time, they will learn that no post, comment, or video can define their worth. Their real name, their real story, and their real honour exist with Allah Almighty, safe, protected, and untouched by lies. 

In that faith, they will find what no rumour can ever take away: the peace that comes from knowing who they are, and Whose they are.