In response to the debate on restricting children’s access to smartphones and social media, Internet Matters commissioned research to understand UK parents’ views on this issue. The research, conducted in June 2024, is based on a representative survey of 1,000 parents of children aged 7-16 and two focus groups with mums and dads.

The research found that parents are slightly more in favour of a ban on social media for under-16s (44% of parents) than a ban on smartphones for under-14s (32% of parents). However, the majority of parents do not support a ban in both cases and instead believe that parents should have the autonomy to decide if and when their child uses a smartphone or social media.

While parents value their autonomy when it comes to their child’s engagement with technology and time spent online, the research also underscores that parents’ felt there was a critical role for industry, regulators and government to play in keeping children safe online.