Children bypass parental controls to interact with strangers online

New research from the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) reveals a significant gap between parental safeguards and children’s actual digital behavior. While 91% of parents report using monitoring tools or parental controls, 36% of children surveyed—rising to 40% for those aged 14 to 16—reported talking or playing online with people they do not know in real life.

The study highlights that many children are capable of bypassing digital restrictions. Approximately 52% of children stated they would find a way to circumvent age checks, a figure that increases to 64% among those whose parents have previously helped them bypass age limits. Furthermore, 41% of children reported attempting to bypass parental controls, with nearly half of those finding the process easy.

Safety experts note that popular platforms such as Snapchat, Instagram, TikTok, Roblox, and Discord present evolving risks. On Snapchat, for example, the disappearing nature of messages can create a false sense of security, as content can still be preserved through screenshots or screen recordings. Experts suggest that parental oversight must move beyond technical tools to include active conversations about digital privacy and the permanence of online interactions.