'What I wish my parents or carers knew…': A guide for parents and carers on managing children’s digital lives is an official guidance document produced by the Children’s Commissioner for England. It follows a previous guide dealing with online sexual harassment and is much broader, reflecting how rapidly the online world is shifting and how everyday digital habits are shaping children’s lives. 

Parents and carers can face a challenging dilemma as to whether to allow their child online and risk exposure to harm or hold them back from a space that is vital to how young people socialise, learn and play. The guide aims to help parents and carers build confidence in managing their child’s online life. It seeks to encourage balanced approaches that combine boundaries with trust and communication and to bridge the gap between children’s experiences and adults’ understanding. The content is grounded in insights directly gathered from young people aged 13-18.

The guide acknowledges that the online world is rarely designed with children’s safety in mind and seeks to offer clarity while work to address safety continues. The Online Safety Act 2023 is described as an important step towards regulating the content children see and is described as “progress but nowhere near perfection". 

In addition to harmful content, the guide recognizes that parents and carers are worried about:

• Endless scrolling and screen time

• Difficulty switching off

• Pressure from peers

• Changes in behaviour or mood

• Whether a child would tell them if something was wrong

• The impact of AI

The guide considers these issues and focuses on the realities of children’s online lives. It provides:

• Insights from young people about how they use technology and what they wish adults understood

• Practical advice for setting boundaries and managing digital habits

• Guidance on communication, helping parents have open, ongoing conversations

• Support strategies for when things go wrong online (e.g. bullying, harmful content) 

At its core, the guide emphasises that digital life is now a central part of childhood with real but manageable risks. Strong relationships and open conversations are found to be the most effective tools for keeping children safe. The guide reinforces that parents and carers cannot outsource this responsibility but with the right support, they can play a powerful role in shaping safe and healthy digital habits. The guide provides resources to assist parents and carers - including conversation starters; a checklist of action to take with children; a link to an activity pack and signposting to support services where parents can get immediate help.