The government’s campaign to help parents to discuss the impact of harmful online content is “welcome news” and “the right approach”, family lawyers say.
Last week, the Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology (DSIT) launched the You Won’t Know until You Ask campaign, which provides parents with practical support to aid conversations with their children about the content they see online.
The guidance – which includes safety settings, conversation prompts, and age-appropriate advice for tackling misinformation and harmful content – has been issued as a direct response to requests from parents, DSIT said.
Government-commissioned research shows that half of British parents have never spoken to their children about harmful online content, despite 90% of 11-year-olds now owning a smartphone.
In a poll of over 1000 UK parents, most said they feel confident they understand online platforms but a quarter don’t know what their child is seeing.
Baljinder Bath, barrister at 4PB, said the campaign is welcome news, and will equip parents with the resources to protect their children in a digital age.
“Children as young as eight often have smart phones,” Bath pointed out.
“It is inevitable that technology is going to be part of our children’s lives. Online safety isn’t about surveillance; it’s about engagement.
“This campaign is a reminder that the most powerful firewall we can give a child isn’t a software update or a ban, it’s a non-judgmental conversation.
“It’s about moving from ‘watching’ what they do to ‘knowing’ how they feel, helping them build the critical thinking skills they need to spot misinformation and harmful content before it takes root, whilst equipping them with the tools they need to navigate their future.”
Julie Cohen, principal associate solicitor in the family team at SA Law, agreed and said the campaign is “a fantastic and intuitive tool for parents of children who are old enough to use internet-connected devices, but perhaps not mature enough to understand the potential impact of online content”.
She added:
“The guidance offered is practical and friendly, there is no judgment here. Very often parents are shamed in some form or another for their choice to allow children to use mobile phones and devices. Helpfully, the government steers clear of that blame game and simply offers useful guidance on how mobile phone and online use can be safely managed by parents in order to keep their children safe.
“I particularly found the idea of a weekly check-in to talk about what everyone has seen online very helpful and will be implementing this in my own household. The idea of being open with your children and teaching them to take a moment to think critically about what they see online is such a refreshing way of looking at this issue.
“In my view the government has got it right to approach it from this angle, rather than pushing the unrealistic narrative that children should never be online at all.”
The campaign has been developed with expert organisations including Parent Zone and Internet Matters.
Vicki Shotbolt, CEO of ParentZone, said:
“We understand how challenging it can be for parents to try to navigate a really complex digital world with their children. The most effective way to do it is with a combination of age appropriate boundaries, user empowerment tools and ongoing, open communication. That’s why this campaign to encourage regular, open conversations is so important.”
Internet Matters CEO Rachel Huggins said:
“Parents and carers are children’s main source of information about online safety and who they turn to when something goes wrong online. Yet we know that parents often struggle to have conversations about difficult topics like misogyny and hate speech, despite children coming across this content online.
“That’s why it is so important we equip parents to talk with their children about their online experiences. This campaign gives parents practical tools to start those conversations, and support their children to develop critical thinking skills and make safer choices online.”
Parents can find full guidance, conversation starters and safety advice on the campaign website.
