Regulator Urges Parents to Prioritize Children's Online Privacy and Safety

In Brief

Rising concerns about children's online privacy have prompted calls for parents to treat digital safety as seriously as physical safety.

Key Facts

• Three in four parents fear their child cannot make safe choices about personal data online, according to the data watchdog.
• An ICO survey found that 35% of parents believe their child would share personal information in exchange for game tokens or rewards.
• The regulator has compared online privacy education to teaching children about 'stranger danger.'
• The data watchdog is encouraging parents to teach online privacy in the same way as road safety.
• Terms like 'MAP' are among coded phrases that parents may only learn about after concerning incidents.

What Happened

The UK data regulator and watchdog have called on parents to treat online privacy with the same importance as road or stranger safety, citing survey results and growing concerns about children's digital behavior.

Why It Matters

With many children reportedly willing to share personal information online for rewards, there is increased risk of privacy breaches and exposure to potentially harmful interactions. Raising awareness and education among parents is seen as a key step in addressing these risks.

What's Next

Further guidance and resources for parents may be developed by regulators and watchdogs. Ongoing surveys and monitoring of children's online behavior are expected to inform future recommendations.