Stop it at the start: the hidden trends of disrespect
This guide helps parents, carers and other adults understand how the online world can shape young people's attitudes about respect, gender and relationships.
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Hosted on https://www.respect.gov.au/ • Opens in a new tab
Published on 2024
How this resource can help
Use this resource to
Learn how social media algorithms can influence the content young people see online
Understand how online disrespect and sexism can become normalised
Build confidence to talk with children and young people about online content and respectful relationships
Support young people to think critically about what they see, share and engage with online
It covers
Social media algorithms and recommendation systems, and the impacts of online influencers and online communities
Online disrespect and harmful online behaviour, and how online behaviour can connect to violence offline
Examples of disrespectful language, slang and emerging online terminology to watch out for
Links to more information on how to block or report accounts
More information
This resource is available to download in different formats, including Easy Read. It is also available in multiple languages from the site's resource hub.
Open this resource
Hosted on https://www.respect.gov.au/ • Opens in a new tab
If you are a parent or carer
You’re in the right place! This is a guide written for you – it can help you better understand what your child is engaging with online, and the impact it can have. If you’re worried about something specific, you don’t have to figure it out alone.
Last reviewed by Together We Can: 13 July 2026
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