Top rules parents have introduced for their child’s online safety include not accepting requests from strangers, never sharing personal information, and asking permission before downloading anything.
A poll of 1,000 moms and dads with children aged 4 to 13 found others featuring in the top 10 included only talking to real-life friends or family members and not saving any bank card details online.
As well as never name-calling in group chats.
However, almost one in 10 parents have no rules for their children to follow when they’re online, despite 34 percent worrying about their child’s safety on the internet.
Only 32 percent have controls in place for images and videos that their child posts on social media.
“We know the importance of staying connected and the opportunities technology can unlock for children,” Rachel Swift, Tesco Mobile’s chief customer officer, said. “But it’s clear from this research that many families face challenges knowing how to keep their children safe online.”
The study also found that 49 percent of parents struggle to decide which online safety rules to implement in general.
But to show the stark generational differences, eight in 10 would allow a child under 13 access to the internet.
However, the parents polled didn’t get online themselves until they were 19.
It also emerged that 45 percent are unsure about the usual amount of online freedom a child should have.
At 52 percent, more than half blame it on these sorts of guidelines not being around when they were younger.
And 76 percent simply wish the world was as simple for children as it used to be when online safety was never a problem.
“Giving your child their first mobile can be a difficult decision,” Carolyn Bunting MBE, Internet Matters Co-CEO, said.
“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 personalized 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.”
