Call for parents to teach online privacy like road safety

Call for Parents to Teach Online Privacy Like Road Safety

The UK’s data watchdog has urged parents to treat online privacy as a fundamental life skill, comparable to teaching children about road safety or stranger danger. This recommendation follows new research from the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) revealing that three-quarters of parents are worried their children lack the knowledge to make safe decisions regarding personal information online.

The ICO has launched a campaign to encourage families to engage in straightforward discussions about protecting data. According to the study, privacy remains one of the least addressed topics in online safety, despite increasing concerns over the effects of digital platforms on children’s well-being, security, and growth. The initiative emphasizes that privacy education should be as routine as teaching a child to cross the road.

A survey of 1,000 UK parents with children aged four to eleven found that 35% believed their child would trade personal details for game rewards or tokens. Additionally, 22% of children had shared sensitive information like health data with AI tools, while 24% disclosed their real name or address online. The report highlights that children aged eight to nine are particularly vulnerable in this regard.

“Many families ‘have never been taught how to discuss online privacy with their children,’” said Emily Keaney, deputy commissioner at the ICO. She stressed that a collective effort across society is necessary to address this issue.

Justine Roberts, founder of Mumsnet, noted that while parents often talk about screen time or harmful content, privacy tends to be neglected. “With growing concerns over the use of children’s data online, families seek straightforward guidance to begin these discussions confidently,” she added.

The ICO’s February survey also found that 21% of parents had never spoken to their children about online privacy, and 38% discussed it less than once a month. In contrast, 90% of parents had addressed screen time in the past month. The campaign defines online privacy as encompassing details like names, ages, addresses, photos, browsing histories, voice notes, and activity on social media or gaming platforms.

“We are frequently reacting after the fact, which underscores the need for parents to feel equipped to have early, daily conversations about online risks and how to handle discomfort,” remarked Dame Rachel de Souza, children’s commissioner for England.