Parental Controls: An Underutilized Tool for Children's Online Safety
Ensuring children's online safety is a complex issue, with parental controls identified as a significant but underutilized tool. While numerous apps and devices offer features for managing screen time, blocking inappropriate content, and disabling unknown contacts, research indicates low adoption rates among parents.
While numerous apps and devices offer features for managing screen time, blocking inappropriate content, and disabling unknown contacts, research indicates low adoption rates among parents.
The Gap in Parental Control Usage
Studies reveal a notable disparity in the use of these essential tools:
- A 2025 study commissioned by Snapchat indicated that 57% of Australian parents do not use in-app or online parental controls.
- The Family Online Safety Institute (FOSI) reported that only 51% of US parents use parental controls on tablets, and 47% use them on smartphones. Adoption rates decrease further for PCs, TVs, and video game consoles.
- The eSafety Commissioner's 2022 Mind the Gap report found that while 59% of parents set rules for children's online access, only 43% utilize parental controls for content filtering.
Why Aren't Parents Using These Tools?
Dr. Joanne Orlando, a researcher in digital wellbeing, attributes the low usage to parents perceiving the setup process as overly difficult or time-consuming. This challenge is often compounded by busy family schedules. She notes that many parents believe it would take hours to understand the controls.
Industry Steps Towards Simplicity
Some technology companies are actively working to simplify the implementation of child-friendly settings. Apple prompts users for age ranges during device setup to automatically apply protections, and Google provides similar safeguards for child accounts on Android devices.
Beyond Blocking: The Educational Value of Controls
Experts emphasize that parental controls are beneficial beyond early childhood, serving as a platform to educate children about online safety.
Dr. Orlando suggests that explaining the reasons behind limitations helps children understand digital risks, rather than simply imposing restrictions.
This approach helps children grasp digital risks rather than merely facing restrictions.
Empowering Parents in a Dynamic Digital World
Parents often experience guilt over not being fully knowledgeable about evolving technology and its associated risks. Dr. Orlando advises that regular conversations with children about their online experiences and potential dangers, alongside consulting resources from organizations like the eSafety Commissioner, are effective strategies.
She highlights that continuous learning and communication are more crucial than attempting to stay 100% current with every technological advancement.
She stresses that continuous learning and communication are more crucial than attempting to stay 100% current with every technological advancement.