Netflix Drama 'Adolescence' Prompts Major Shift in Parental Internet Safety Rules
A groundbreaking study has revealed that the Netflix drama Adolescence has acted as a significant catalyst for parents to adopt stricter measures on their children's internet safety. The research, commissioned by Motorola to coincide with Safer Internet Day on 10 February, surveyed 500 parents with children aged between 8 and 13 years old.
Wake-Up Call for Parents
The survey found that eight out of ten parents described the show, which aired nearly a year ago, as a profound wake-up call regarding the potential dangers their children face online. Consequently, 63% of parents who watched the series confessed they are now far more vigilant about monitoring their children's online activities.
Parents have implemented an average of five new rules concerning social media use and internet access. The most common changes include:
- Establishing stricter daily screen-time limits (34%)
- Implementing device-free times before bed (27%)
- Conducting regular reviews of privacy settings across apps and platforms (25%)
- Becoming stricter about what content children can share online (21%)
- Limiting access to certain types of content on social platforms (23%)
Pressure to Provide Smartphones
The study also uncovered significant social pressures facing modern parents. 56% of mothers and fathers reported feeling pressured to provide their child with a smartphone from a young age. For 53% of these parents, this pressure stemmed primarily from not wanting their children to feel socially excluded, a concern that has increased by 9% since the previous year.
Notably, 46% of parents who felt compelled to purchase a smartphone for their child did so during primary school years, when children are aged between seven and eleven. Alarmingly, more than one in twenty parents (7%) began feeling this obligation when their children were just starting school at the tender age of four or five.
Children Circumventing Parental Controls
Despite increased parental vigilance, the research revealed concerning trends among children's online behavior. More than two-thirds of children expressed confidence that they could bypass any restrictions their parents implemented to limit screen time or disable access to certain applications.
The data from OnePoll.com showed that 57% of children have accessed the internet or specific apps without their parents' knowledge, representing a 13% increase over the past twelve months. Additionally, 41% of children have been sent or have accidentally encountered pictures or videos they felt they were too young to view, marking a 10% year-on-year increase.
Understanding 'Finsta' Accounts
The study examined parents' awareness of 'Finsta' accounts—secondary, often private Instagram profiles used to share more candid content with a select group of friends. The research found that 23% of parents remain completely unaware of this phenomenon.
Among those who understand Finsta accounts, 64% expressed concern that these private profiles could expose children to harmful content, while 60% believed they might increase children's contact with strangers online.
Expert Recommendations for Safer Internet Use
Miles Norman, UK & I General Manager for Motorola, emphasized the importance of balanced approaches to digital parenting. "Many parents feel they're navigating situations they never faced at the same age," he noted. "Setting clear boundaries matters, but so does creating an open and honest dialogue with children, so they feel comfortable coming to you when something doesn't seem right."
Norman added, "With the right support, families can build healthier habits and safer experiences online. Smartphones have become a key part of everyday family life, helping people stay connected and supporting learning and entertainment. But as children spend more time online, it's important that families have simple, practical tools and clear, age-appropriate settings in place to support safer use."
Motorola has developed a series of video guides for its Family Space application, which provides parents with straightforward methods to manage their children's access to apps and websites.
Top 10 Changes Implemented by Parents
- Imposed stricter daily screen-time limits
- Established age-appropriate content filters
- Encouraged children to approach adults when something online feels wrong
- Held more regular discussions about online safety and risks
- Decreased overall online time in favour of offline activities
- Implemented device-free times (e.g., before bed, during meals)
- Reviewed privacy settings across apps and platforms
- Had more explicit conversations about online pressure, bullying or harmful content
- Removed certain apps or platforms entirely
- Began using or tightened existing parental controls
