90% of 11-year-olds in the UK now have smartphones – and half of their parents don’t know what they are watching
New government data shows that nearly every 11-year-old now has their own smartphone, yet vast numbers of mums and dads remain completely in the dark about the content flooding their kids’ screens.
The research, which was published on Tuesday (10 January), reveals that 90% of 11-year-olds own a smartphone. At the same time, half of British parents admit they’ve never once spoken to their children about potentially harmful online content.
A poll of more than 1,000 parents found that around a quarter don’t even know what their child is actually seeing online, despite most claiming general confidence in understanding social media platforms.
The figures, released alongside the launch of a major new government campaign, highlight a growing disconnect between the digital lives of pre-teens and their parents’ awareness.
You Won’t Know until You Ask
To tackle the issue head-on, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) has today rolled out ‘You Won’t Know until You Ask’ – a practical, parent-focused initiative designed to spark open conversations about the toxic side of social media.
“I know many parents are worried about what their children see and do online – often out of sight, and at times beyond their control. We’re launching a new campaign to support parents and give them practical tools to have regular, open conversations with their children about what they see and how they interact online,” said Technology Secretary Liz Kendall.
The campaign arrives amid mounting concern over algorithm-driven exposure to harmful material.
Research from UCL cited in the announcement shows that teenage archetype accounts can be served a four-fold increase in misogynistic content in as little as five days – often without the user actively searching for it. Boys appear particularly vulnerable to being flooded with misogynistic, rage-bait and extreme views pushed by recommendation engines.
Other flagged risks include body-shaming memes, rage-bait videos designed to provoke anger for engagement, misinformation that spreads unchecked, and hate speech.
The free online hub at kidsonlinesafety.campaign.gov.uk offers immediate help: guides to tightening safety settings on major platforms, age-appropriate advice, and simple conversation starters. Parents are encouraged to ask open-ended questions like:
- “How does this post make you feel?”
- “Who shared this content?”
- “Why do you think they posted it?”
The approach aims to build critical thinking without confrontation, helping children spot manipulation tactics and questionable content while strengthening family trust.
“Parents and carers are children’s main source of information about online safety… This campaign gives parents practical tools to start those conversations, and support their children to develop critical thinking skills and make safer choices online,” said Rachel Huggins, CEO of Internet Matters.
The initiative launches on the same day as Safer Internet Day and coincides with a broader push under the Online Safety Act. Recent progress includes mandatory age checks cutting visits to pornography sites by a third, new criminal laws targeting non-consensual intimate images and deepfakes, and upcoming bans on ‘nudification’ tools.
A three-month national consultation on children’s digital wellbeing is also opening soon, inviting input from parents and young people themselves to shape future policy.
