Surveys Reveal Parents Struggle to Monitor Children’s Smartphone and Online Activity

Two recent surveys highlight growing concerns about children’s online safety and parents’ awareness of their digital habits in the UK. Research by YouGov, commissioned by the government, found that half of parents of children aged eight to 14 reported that their children never discuss harmful online content with them, and around a quarter admitted they do not know what their children see on their smartphones. The government has responded by launching the ‘You Won’t Know Until You Ask’ campaign, which encourages parents to engage with their children about online content and provides age-appropriate guidance developed with organizations such as NSPCC, Parent Zone, and Internet Matters. Additionally, a separate survey by the UK Safer Internet Centre and Nominet revealed that 60% of teenagers aged 13 to 17 worry about AI being used to create inappropriate images of them, with 12% having already seen peers using AI to generate sexualized content. The Molly Rose Foundation has called for stronger regulation of tech firms, similar to banking oversight, and immediate improvements to the Online Safety Act to protect children from harmful content on social media, gaming sites, messaging apps, and high-risk AI chatbots. While discussions of a potential under-16 social media ban continue, experts warn that regulation and proactive safety measures are more effective than relying solely on age restrictions.