Do YOU know what your children are up to online? Almost half of British parents don’t

A worrying number of Brits have absolutely no idea what their children do when they’re online, according to new research.

Nearly two fifths (40 per cent) of British parents don’t keep track of their child’s online activity according to the new report from Intel Security.

The lack of supervision raises the possibility that impressional youngsters could be exposed to cyber bullying or online crime.

More than three quarters of parents (79 per cent) were concerned about their children interacting with a ‘social predator’ or cyber criminal online, while nearly a quarter (23 per cent) said they had found their children using sites that they deemed to be unsuitable, said the report.

A third (29 per cent) said that they would monitor their children’s online activity if there was an easier way to do it.

“Technology has revolutionised our home lives, with many parents relying on devices to help their children with learning and entertainment” says Nick Viney, VP of Consumer at Intel Security.

“However, we need to empower parents to actively manage how their families interact with those devices, to ensure the benefits continue to outweigh the potential risks.

“When the correct security and privacy measures are taken, everyone in the family will feel more protected enabling them to fully enjoy all the benefits of living in a smart home.”

The global study was based on a survey of 13,000 people.

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Intel Security suggests that parents should start conversations about online safety with their children early on.

The security firm also advices parents to set a good example by limiting time on social networks and also to remind children that unknown people online are strangers, just as they are in real life, and that they should refuse friend requests from people they don’t know.