Parents are being urged to treat conversations about online privacy with the same importance as teaching children about road safety, according to new findings from the UK's data protection regulator.
The Information Commissioner's Office, which serves as the country's data watchdog, revealed that three in four parents harbour fears that their child is unable to make safe and responsible choices when it comes to sharing personal information online.
The findings highlight a growing concern among families about children's digital literacy, particularly as young people spend increasing amounts of time on social media platforms, gaming sites, and other online spaces that routinely collect personal data.
The road safety comparison is a deliberate and pointed one, drawing a parallel between a long-established approach to child safety education and what campaigners argue should become an equally fundamental life skill in the modern digital age.
Road safety has been taught to children in schools and homes across the UK for generations, with programmes such as the Green Cross Code becoming deeply embedded in childhood education. Advocates are now calling for online privacy awareness to receive similar treatment, starting from an early age.
The appeal comes at a time when regulators and child protection organisations are placing greater scrutiny on how technology companies handle the data of younger users. Recent years have seen tightened rules around children's privacy online, including the introduction of the Children's Code in the UK, which requires digital services to prioritise the safety and privacy of younger users.
Despite these regulatory efforts, the survey results suggest many parents feel underprepared or uncertain when it comes to guiding their children through the complexities of personal data, consent, and online privacy settings.
The data watchdog's intervention signals a push for greater parental engagement and a more proactive approach to digital education within the home, rather than leaving the responsibility solely to schools or technology platforms.
