Parents 'underestimating' how much time their child spends online

As children across the UK settle into a new school year, a survey's revealed the scale of issues that young people are facing online - often without their parents' knowledge.

The study from Internet Matters found children aged 9-13 years old are spending 23.2 hours online each week (3.3 hours a day).

That's two hours more than parents realise.

Dangers children face online

It also discovered:

• 71% of children aged 9-13 have been exposed to harmful experiences or content online.
• 20% of 9-13 year olds have been contacted by a stranger.
• 17% have seen content that promotes dangerous online stunts or challenges
• 10% have seen violent content, or content promoting violence.

Researchers say parents' lack of knowledge around how much time their children spend online, may further expose and leave them open to potential risks.

They found 74% of all parents don’t use browser safe search settings or filters, while two thirds of parents don’t use parental controls on their home broadband. 

More than eight in ten parents (84%) now say they feel ‘overwhelmed’ about their children’s online safety.

Parental controls for smartphone use

Parents who want to know more about safety settings, and how to talk about online safety with children can check out the Internet Matters ABC Hub.

Co-CEO of Internet Matters Rachel Huggins told Downtown Radio: "Children are going online at a much younger age, and there are more and more places they can connect with other people online.

"There's social media, gaming platforms, chatrooms.

"We as parents need to think about putting those guardrails in place for them.

"It is a real issue, and we need to educate people, particularly at that really young age, about how to manage the risks.

"You need to be checking in, chatting with your child about what they're doing online and you can make sure you're putting the right controls in place."

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