Call for parents to teach online privacy like road safety

Call for Parents to Teach Online Privacy Like Road Safety

The UK’s data protection authority has urged parents to treat online privacy education as a critical life skill, comparable to teaching children about stranger danger or road safety. This recommendation follows new research conducted by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), which highlighted widespread parental concerns regarding children’s ability to safeguard their personal information online.

The ICO has initiated a campaign to encourage families to engage in basic dialogues about online privacy. The study revealed that privacy discussions were among the least frequent topics covered in online safety education, prompting the need for clearer guidance. As social media and digital tools continue to shape children’s daily lives, the campaign emphasizes the importance of integrating privacy awareness into everyday routines.

“Many families haven’t been taught how to discuss online privacy with their children,” said Emily Keaney, deputy commissioner at the ICO. She stressed that a collective effort from society is essential to address this issue effectively.

According to the survey, 35% of parents believe their child might trade personal details for game rewards or tokens. The findings also indicated that 22% of children had shared health-related information with AI systems, while 24% had posted their real name or address online. The research singles out eight and nine-year-olds as the most vulnerable age group.

Justine Roberts, founder of Mumsnet, noted that while parents often address screen time and harmful content, privacy tends to be neglected. “As anxieties about children’s data usage online increase, families are seeking straightforward guidance to begin these discussions with assurance,” she added.

The ICO’s February survey of 1,000 UK parents showed that 21% had never spoken about online privacy with their children, and 38% discussed it less than once a month. In contrast, 90% of respondents had talked about screen time in the past month. The authority clarified that online privacy encompasses details like names, ages, addresses, photos, and digital activity, including social media interactions.

“Too often we are playing catch up, which is why it’s vital for parents to feel equipped to have early, consistent conversations about the risks of being online,” stated Dame Rachel de Souza, children’s commissioner for England.