Parents share top 10 rules they set to make sure their child is safe online
Parents have shared the top rules they set to keep their children safe online – such as never accepting requests from strangers, and never sharing personal data, such as their address.
Not paying for anything online, and asking permission before downloading anything, are other top boundaries mums and dads put in place to ensure online safety.
And the survey of 1,000 parents, of 4-13-year-olds, also found they only allow their youngsters to talk to real-life friends or family members – and don't allow any name-calling when chatting online.
It comes as over a third of those polled (34%) claim they worry about their child's safety on the internet – but one in 10 admit they don't set any rules for their kids to follow while online.
And just 32% have put parental controls in place to monitor images and videos that their child posts on social media.
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The research was commissioned by Tesco Mobile and Internet Matters to launch the Little Digital Helps Toolkit.
Rachel Swift, Tesco Mobile chief customer officer, said: “We know the importance of staying connected, and the opportunities technology can unlock for children.
“But it’s clear from this research that many families face challenges knowing how to keep their children safe online.”
The study also found half of parents (49%) struggle to decide which online safety rules to implement in general.
And to show the stark generational differences, eight in ten would allow a child under 13 access to the internet – despite the parents polled not getting online until they were 19.
It also emerged 45% are unsure about the usual amount of online freedom a child should have – and more than half (52%) blame their uncertainty on these sorts of guidelines not being around when they were young.
Meanwhile, 76% simply wish the world was as simple for children as it used to be, when online safety was never a problem.
Carolyn Bunting MBE, Internet Matters Co-CEO, said: “Giving your child their first mobile can be a difficult decision.
“That’s why we’re delighted to have partnered with Tesco Mobile, to create the Little Digital Helps Toolkit – a place where parents can go to receive tailored advice and guidance on setting the right controls for their children’s devices and online activity.
“The personalised advice will give parents the peace of mind and reassurance that they have set up their child’s device in a safe and age-appropriate way.”
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The toolkit offers guidance on how to protect children from excessive screen time, consuming fake news, spending money online, being exposed to inappropriate content, online grooming, and cyberbullying.
TOP 10 ONLINE RULES PARENTS HAVE IN PLACE:
- Don't accept requests from strangers
- Don't share personal information
- Don't share your address
- Ask permission before downloading anything
- Don't pay for anything online
- Don't put any bank card details online
- Only talk to real-life friends or family members
- Don't share any personal information on social media platforms
- Don't accept friends on social media platforms if you don't know them
- Don't call people names/be horrible in group chats
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