THE top rules parents have introduced for their child’s online safety have been revealed.
They include not accepting requests from strangers, never sharing personal information and asking permission before downloading anything.
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The poll of 1,000 parents of children aged four to 13, found others to feature in the top 10 were to only talk 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 are online, despite 34 per cent worrying about their child’s safety on the internet.
While only 32 per cent have controls in place for images and videos that their child posts on social media.
The survey 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 49 per cent of parents struggle to decide which online safety rules to implement in general.
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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 until they were 19.
It also emerged 45 per cent are unsure about the usual amount of online freedom a child should have.
More than half (52 per cent) blame it on these sorts of guidelines not being around when they were young.
And 76 per cent 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.”
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
1. Don’t accept requests from strangers
2. Don’t share personal information
3. Don’t share your address
4. Ask permission before downloading anything
5. Don’t pay for anything online
6. Don’t put any bank card details online
7. Only talk to real life friends or family members
8. Don’t share any personal information on social media platforms
9. Don’t accept friends on social media platforms if you don’t know them
10. Don’t call people names/be horrible in group chats
