What is Slender Man?
By LuxAmber – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0,
Urban myth: A story or statement that is not true but is often repeated and believed by many to be true.
What are the risks?
Slender Man is not a current hoax or challenge. He is a fictional creation, like Huggy Wuggy, Jeff the Killer, Siren Head, and numerous others specifically created to frighten. These characters have an online life that is often made up of rumours and tall tales which resurface every few years for new generations.
As Slender Man is a popular character, it is extremely easy to find related content on Google, YouTube, and most online platforms – even with parental controls switched on. This content can be disturbing if a child is not expecting it or if they are more vulnerable to this genre. There are multiple risks that may arise from children and young people being exposed to frightening content before they are prepared.
Much of the online content surrounding Slender Man could be considered disturbing or unsettling, especially for younger children. There are popular investigative videos on YouTube that discuss a violent incident tied to Slender Man from 2014 that are available even with Restricted Mode switched on. This story has been heavily sensationalised by media outlets.
Red flags to look out for
- Find it hard to focus or concentrate
- Appear withdrawn
- Have a change in appetite
- Experience sleep disturbances (i.e. bed wetting, restlessness) or nightmares
- Appear suddenly angry, irritable, or teary
- Be worried or anxious, which can physically manifest in fidgeting or tummy aches
- Have new fears of places or situations
If the child in your care comes across something scary or disturbing online, encourage them to:
- Stop what they are doing and turn off their screen/switch off device
- Pause to take a breath and try to stay calm
- Think about something else that makes them happy
- Talk to a trusted adult about what they saw and how it made them feel
Our Top Tips for helping the child or young person in your care
- Reassure your child that they are safe. Repeating that reassurance in different environments may be necessary if your child seems fixated on their fear. It may be helpful to remind them that horror characters like Slender Man are simply stories intended to frighten. Remind them that it’s okay to be afraid, and that they are not alone.
- It’s important your child knows they can come and speak to you without fear of judgement or consequence. If necessary, ask them to show or tell you what they have found, and follow appropriate reporting procedures if you are concerned.
- Ask them about the content they are watching online, and if anything they’ve seen has ever made them or their friends upset or scared. Try not to mention anything by name.
- Use our Trusted Adult Resources to teach children and young people about the importance of seeking help from trusted people if something worries or upset them.
- If your child is having nightmares or is anxious about something they’ve watched, have a conversation with them about how they can healthily express their feelings. You can use our emotions journal to help your child express complex emotions such as fear or worry.