Children Hide Online Life From Families

New research by the Children’s Commissioner for Wales, Rocio Cifuentes, has revealed that only 1 in 4 children in Wales tell their families about their online life. 

Survey 

The survey about online safety was conducted in June 2024 to inform Cifuentes’s response to Ofcom’s consultation on its widening powers relating to the Online Safety Act (2023). The results were drawn from responses given by 1284 children and young people between the ages of 7 and 18, from 16 local authorities. 

Only 28 Per Cent Tell Their Families 

The most telling statistic coming from the results of this survey is that just one in four (28 per cent) of children said they talk a lot to their family about what they do online. 

Apps That Made Them Unsafe 

The survey also revealed that 29 per cent of children who listed apps that made them feel unsafe or unhappy mentioned Roblox, followed by YouTube (17 per cent), and Snapchat (12 per cent).  

Roblox 

Roblox is a “virtual universe app” where users play a wide variety of games (and create games within Roblox) and chat with others online.  

The concerns shared about Roblox (by children as young as 8) were about ‘toxic and rude’ users, ‘aggressive behaviour’, the ability to have conversations with strangers, being ‘scammed’, and also experiences of racial discrimination. Some commentators have noted that the fact that Roblox is user-generated could explain why there may not be the same degree of rigour applied to age ratings as content made by commercial companies.  

In recent years, several concerns have been raised about Roblox. For example, there are worries about child safety, including the presence of inappropriate content and the potential for online predators to interact with children. The platform’s monetisation practices have also come under scrutiny, with critics arguing that the in-app purchase system may encourage excessive spending by children. Also, there are concerns about the exploitation of young developers who create content for Roblox, often without receiving fair compensation. 

Privacy issues with Roblox have been another concern among some commentators, particularly regarding the handling of the personal information of young users. Fears about excessive screen time and the potential for gaming addiction among children have also been frequently highlighted.  

Despite these concerns, Roblox continues to be a popular platform and it should be noted that Roblox has many positive aspects and initiatives aimed at improving safety. For example, it offers a platform for creativity and learning, thereby allowing users to develop programming and game design skills while fostering a sense of community and social interaction globally. The platform also provides robust parental controls, enabling parents to manage their children’s interactions and limit access to certain features or content. 

Other positive aspects of Roblox are that it employs a dedicated team and automated systems for content moderation to swiftly detect and remove inappropriate content. Safety features such as age-appropriate settings, restricted chat functions for younger users, and regular safety updates help are also used to create a safer environment for children, plus Roblox supports developers with incentives and educational resources to help them succeed and monetise their creations fairly. 

It’s also important to acknowledge that Roblox was not the only platform noted by children in the survey as making them feel unsafe but may be one that parents know less about than YouTube and Snapchat. 

Concerns Not Taken Seriously 

One other worrying statistic revealed by the survey is that when children reported concerns directly with an online platform, only 32 per cent said they felt their concerns had been taken seriously. 

Parents Warned to Look Closely at App Parental Controls 

Publishing the results of the survey ahead of the school summer holidays, the Children’s Commissioner for Wales urged parents to look closely at information on parental controls, app content, and age requirements.  

Rocio Cifuentes MBE said: “Online apps can give children fantastic opportunities to be creative, to express themselves, and to connect with their friends. But there are dangers too, and I know that keeping up with everything young people do online can feel daunting for parents and carers. Ahead of the summer holidays, where children are likely to spend more time on screens, it feels especially important that parents are equipped with the knowledge they need.  

“Luckily, there’s comprehensive and clear information out there from people like the NSPCC, and the Welsh Government, that I’d encourage all parents to read. Knowing more about parental controls, how to approach conversations about usage, age requirements, and the content of the app could go a long way to keeping your child safe and happy when they’re online.” 

Three Quarters Feel Safe 

It’s also important to acknowledge that despite the important findings about how unsafe some children feel online, the survey also found that the majority (76 per cent) of children said they feel happy and safe online. Also, children and young people most commonly said that if they saw something online that made them upset or worried, they would tell their parents, report it to the platform, or tell another family member. 

Screen Time – A Worry For Teachers 

Teachers in Wales have also expressed concerns about the impact children’s screen time has on their education, with some seeing the impact of tiredness amongst pupils due to late-night gaming.  

What Does This Mean For Your Business? 

The findings from the Children’s Commissioner for Wales have significant implications for businesses operating in the app and online platform sectors. The survey highlights what could be described as a critical disconnect between children’s online experiences and parental awareness, which creates both challenges and opportunities for your business. 

The fact that only 28 per cent of children discuss their online activities with their families shows a need for apps and platforms to pay more attention to transparent communication and user safety. This means not only ensuring robust parental controls and safety features but also actively educating both parents and children on their usage. Platforms like Roblox, YouTube, and Snapchat (all-too-frequently cited for making children feel unsafe) should take these concerns seriously and enhance their safety protocols. By doing so, they may be able to build more trust and foster a safer environment that encourages more open discussions between children and parents about their online activities. 

Also, the concerns raised online about Roblox, ranging from interactions with strangers to racial discrimination, highlight the importance of stringent moderation and user education. This could mean investing in advanced content moderation technologies and employing dedicated teams to swiftly address inappropriate behaviour and content. Emphasising the ethical treatment of young developers and ensuring fair compensation can also enhance a platform’s reputation and attract a more engaged, loyal user base. 

Privacy issues are another critical area that demands attention. With increasing scrutiny on how personal information is handled, businesses like app makers must implement robust privacy policies and practices. Clear communication about these measures can reassure parents and guardians, fostering a safer and more trustworthy environment for young users. 

The survey finding that only 32 per cent of children feel their concerns are taken seriously by platforms is worrying and clearly presents an opportunity for businesses to improve their customer service and support systems. By implementing responsive and empathetic customer service practices, platforms could enhance user satisfaction and trust. Creating easy-to-use reporting mechanisms and ensuring that user feedback may also lead to tangible changes can demonstrate a genuine commitment to user safety and well-being. 

Thankfully, the survey results also suggests that while there are substantial concerns, the majority of children feel happy and safe online. This indicates that there is a solid foundation upon which to build. By continuing to innovate and implement best practices in safety and moderation, businesses can not only address current issues but also enhance the overall user experience. 

The key takeaway, therefore, is the importance of balancing safety and creativity. Platforms should continue to offer engaging, creative opportunities for young users while maintaining a strong commitment to their safety and well-being.