Parents are advised to have conversations with their children and engage with their online activities, to help protect them from the ill-effects of viewing distressing content.
Schools have warned parents about disturbing content that has recently circulated on Tik-Tok.
Australia's eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, advised anyone who came across harmful material online to report it to the platform on which they saw it, or to eSafety online.
She said she was working with major social media companies on the most recent situation.
"Social media companies need to use the tools at their disposal to detect and remove this content much more quickly," Ms Inman Grant said.
Parents and carers are advised to talk to their children about suicide and self-harm - even if their children are not at risk, it could help them if they are worried about a friend.
Advice from the eSafety Commissioner, developed with mental health experts, says adults should be open and non-judgemental, and unafraid to ask directly about suicide. These conversations should take place in a relaxed setting and parents or carers should not be dismissive of feelings.
Parents are advised to empower children and young people to make their own decisions, so they can say no when they feel unsafe or uncomfortable, and help children take action to protect themselves online through privacy settings, blocking content, and reporting.
The eSafety Commissioner says parents and carers should make sure their children are using age-appropriate apps, sites and games, and use parental devices to limit exposure.
Parents are also advised to explain to children that not everything online is true or real, and let them know they can talk to them about anything.
"We advise parents, carers and educators to keep an eye on those who are more vulnerable and at-risk, and checking in with them about their interactions on and offline," Ms Inman Grant said.
If you are experiencing emotional distress, or worried someone close to you might be, the following services provide support and advice:
- Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800. Phone support is always available; online support is open from 8am to midnight (AEST)
- Suicide Callback Service: 1300 659 467. Phone support is available all day and the service makes follow-up calls.
- eheadspace: 1800 650 890. Open 9am to 1am daily (AEST)
- Lifeline: 13 11 14. Phone support available around the clock; online support from 7pm to 4am daily (AEST).
- Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636. Phone support available at all times; online support available from 3pm to midnight.
If your safety or someone else's safety is at immediate risk, call Triple-0.
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