Shock sites
Also known as:
- gore sites
- shock content
What is Risk ?
Digital risk factors associated with their interests and activities
Shock sites are controversial and upsetting. Some are designed to surprise unsuspecting viewers with graphic content.
Content can involve footage of real events. For example, deaths captured on CCTV or livestream video. Content can also be fake footage, featuring special effects and actors.
Shock sites can host content that includes:
- executions
- torture
- accidents resulting in injury or death
- animal cruelty
- self-harm or suicide
- extreme pornography
- illegal sex acts, for example, bestiality or necrophilia
- child sexual abuse material
- terrorist content or footage of warzones
- cannibalism
Some children and young people are part of online communities that look for and view shock content.
Where this can happen
Risks and motivations
Risks
Breaking the law
Some online content is illegal. For example:
- pornography involving serious injury or rape
- extremist content or content that promotes terrorism
- content designed to harass or upset, like cyberflashing
There can be legal consequences for someone who breaks the law by viewing, possessing or sharing illegal content. Consequences can include a criminal record or being sent to prison.
Upsetting or inappropriate content
Exposure to shocking online content can upset and traumatise a child or young person.They might be confused, worried or scared about what they have seen.
Trauma can affect a young person’s:
- relationships
- school or work
- self-care or enjoyment
- views, for example, religious beliefs
Desensitisation
Repeatedly viewing and engaging with shock sites could cause a child or young person to become desensitised over time. Becoming desensitised can have both a physical and emotional impact. For example, a child or young person might think more extreme or aggressive behaviours are acceptable. They might also feel less empathy towards others.
Motivations
Reasons a child or young person may view or share content on shock sites include:
- curiosity
- boredom
- testing boundaries
- thinking it isn’t real
- finding it funny
- being used to shocking content
- having peers who like shock sites
- harassing or shocking someone else
- not knowing that some content is illegal to view or possess
What you can do
You may be working with a child or young person who has viewed a shock site or looked for graphic, extreme content. Talking can be one way to find out more about what has happened. It can also help minimise the possibility of risk and harm.
You could talk about:
- how they found or viewed the content
- how it made them feel
- the impact this content can have on others
- how some shock sites host illegal content
- some risks, like seeing something upsetting or becoming desensitised
- the importance of speaking to a trusted adult if unsure or worried
If they have deliberately searched for this content you should think about whether this reveals any concerns for their safety or wellbeing. For example, repeatedly looking for suicide or self-harm videos could be a safeguarding concern that requires immediate intervention.
You should contact emergency services by dialling 999 if you have any concerns about a child or young person’s safety. If you think that a young person is at risk, follow your safeguarding procedure and read our safeguarding guidance.
Support
A child or young person could be upset or traumatised by something they have seen online. Specialist organisations can offer guidance.
A child or young person might have shared something which you think is illegal. In these instances, you may need to seek further legal advice. Organisations, for example the Internet Watch Foundation or Prevent, offer information and support when it comes to specific types of illegal, harmful content.
Part of a child or young person’s recovery process can involve minimising the chances of future risks and harms. You could discuss some practical tips and tricks. You might suggest:
- toggling adult content filters, for example, Google’s safe search
- not opening links and attachments from people they don’t know
- not visiting sites that they know can host upsetting content
- Distressing online content (NSPCC) – Website
- What to do if your child has seen something inappropriate online (Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP)) – Website
- How to support young people who encounter upsetting content online (Childnet) – Website
- Supporting young people's mental health (Young Minds) – Website
Read more about shock sites
- Hard-on of darkness: Gore and shock websites as the dark tourism of digital space (Porn Studies Journal) – Website
- Absolutely Disgusting: Shock Sites, Extremity, and the Forbidden Fruit (MIT Press Scholarship Online) – Journal
- From Tarantino to Squid Game: why do so many people enjoy violence? (Trinity College Dublin) – Website
- Research into risk factors that may lead children to harm online (Revealing Reality) – Website
Share your experience of shock sites
You can tell us about:
- other terms you might have heard
- conversations you’ve had with young people
- a related platform or app
- another related risk or harm