Most UK parents fear their children are being exposed to harmful material on the internet, despite the new Online Safety Act coming into force this summer. New research shows that 87.5% remain concerned about what their children might encounter, with 27% saying their kids have already come across inappropriate or dangerous content.
The act requires social media platforms and search engines to introduce age checks and stronger content moderation. While 92% of parents are aware of the change in law, only half believe it goes far enough to keep kids safe online, according to the study commissioned by children’s tech company Xplora.
The survey also highlights the scale of the problem; 19% of 13-year-olds report being asked to share sexual images while 30% have experienced online bullying. 37% of eight year olds say they have been pressured to take part in internet trends or challenges.
Former Pussycat Doll and mother of three Kimberly Wyatt, has partnered with Xplora to promote safer technology for families. She said: “At home we’ve set boundaries, like no phones in bedrooms. Family time is sacred to me, and I’ve found it really important to set these rules early on.
“Navigating the school smartphone ban is tricky because of the ‘cool factor.’ Around the age of 10, children are working out where they fit in, who their tribe is, and they naturally want to feel accepted. Not having a smartphone can sometimes make that harder.
“That’s why I believe a ban could actually take some of the pressure off parents, who are constantly trying to gauge the situation and strike the right balance. My daughter is in her last year before secondary school, which is such a big stage of growing up. Technology is going to play a huge role in that transition, so for me it’s about helping her understand the risks while giving her the tools to make positive choices.”
Despite widespread concern, one in five parents say they don’t use parental controls on their child’s smartphone, citing complexity and poor usability. Devices such as Xplora’s X6 Play and HMD Fusion X1 allow children to call and message only parent-approved contacts and block access to the internet or social media entirely.
The phones also include real-time GPS tracking and ‘School Mode’ which silences notifications and calls during lessons.
