Online safety and misinformation are parents’ top concerns at the start of the school year

FEAR around online safety and misinformation is now the biggest concern for parents as they head into the new school year.

A survey of 800 mothers and fathers of children aged eight to 16 found that 65% of them believe their child is primarily concerned with online safety, even more so than bullying.

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While 25% plan to give their son or daughter a phone before the start of the school year, 91% are concerned about the consequences of this.

Other concerns parents have about online safety include social media trolling and exposure to inappropriate content.

Scams, the influence of online challenges and trends, and online predators were also among the top concerns.

The research was commissioned by Tesco Mobile, which, in partnership with Internet Matters, is offering comprehensive training for all customer-facing colleagues.

‘Unlocking Little Digital Wins’ means trained colleagues are on hand to support parents and carers with practical advice and guidance on setting up devices safely.

This is evident from research by 36% of parents who admit that they do not know where to go for help with online safety, now that their son or daughter is going back to school in September.

Jonathan Taylor, CEO of Tesco Mobile, said: “The start of the new school year can be a big transition for families, and connectivity opens up a world of possibilities for children when it comes to learning, socialising and having fun.

“That’s why we’ve equipped our colleagues to lend a helping hand and support parents as they introduce their child to the online world – especially when setting up a new device.”

The research also found that 55% of people who worry about their child’s first phone believe it will expose them to a whole new world.

42% worry they have no control over how their child uses it, and 23% are influenced by stories they hear on the news or from friends.

28% believe that there is too little support available for parents in this area, while 72% indicate that they would like to see more support.

Before giving their child a phone, 79% plan to talk to their child about how to be safe online.

According to data from OnePoll.com, once they have it, 48% of them will limit the amount of time they spend on it.

And 34% claim they are only allowed to make calls and send messages, instead of having access to things like gaming apps and social media.

Ghislaine Bombusa, Head of Digital at Internet Matters, said: “Given the ever-changing online landscape, parents need support throughout their child’s digital journey. For many families, that journey starts when they buy their child a phone.

“We are proud to have delivered online safety training to over 3,000 colleagues, ensuring they have the knowledge to provide advice at the point of sale.

“This means that conversations with customers can go beyond just buying the right device. Child online safety is integrated into smartphone ownership from the start.”