August 13th 2023.
Keeping kids safe online is a priority for many parents, and a new research commissioned by Tesco Mobile and Internet Matters reveals what online rules parents have set to keep their kids safe. The poll of 1,000 mums and dads with children aged four to 13 showed that the rules include not accepting requests from strangers, never sharing personal information, asking permission before downloading anything, and not saving any bank card details online.
Surprisingly, almost 10 per cent of parents surveyed have no rules for their children to follow when they are online, despite 34 per cent worrying about their child's safety on the internet. Additionally, only 32 per cent have controls in place for images and videos that their child posts on social media.
The top ten online internet safety rules includes not accepting requests from strangers, not sharing personal information, not sharing your address, asking permission before downloading anything, not paying for anything online, not putting any bank card details online, only talking to real-life friends or family members, not sharing any personal information on social media platforms, not accepting friends on social media platforms if you don't know them, and not calling people names/being horrible in group chats.
Rachel Swift, Tesco Mobile Chief Customer Officer, commented, “We know the importance of staying connected and the opportunities technology can unlock for children. 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 per cent of parents struggle to decide which online safety rules to implement in general. Additionally, it emerged that 45 per cent are unsure about the usual amount of online freedom a child should have, with more than half blaming it on these sorts of guidelines not being around when they were young.
Carolyn Bunting MBE, Internet Matters Co-CEO, also commented, “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.”
It's important for parents to remember that the internet can be a great way for children to learn and connect with their peers, but it's equally important to set the right boundaries and safety rules for them.
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