Internet Matters Pulse
Insights into children’s digital lives
Bi-annual research with 2,000 parents and 1,000 children in the UK exploring children’s online lives, parents’ concerns, and approaches to online safety.
Key findings
Explore the key findings from our November 2025 Pulse survey – click to find out more and use the arrows on the graphs below to dive deeper.
Children’s time online
Children spend over a day a week online at a total of 26 hours on average.
Online harm
Three-quarters of children tell us they have experienced harm online (75%).
Parents’ concerns
78% of parents are concerned about their child's exposure to mis/disinformation – the top concern of parents.
The role of parents
Parents are children's number one source of information about online safety.
Media literacy
There are still gaps in children's media literacy skills, with only half knowing how to report content on platforms.
Latest article
Explore more of these insights in our recent article about children's VPN usage following new online safety rules.
What's on this page
How children spend their time online
Children spend over a day online each week, at 26 hours on average. Across all ages, we see children are regularly engaging in a range of activities online, from messaging on social media platforms to using AI to support with learning.
Children’s experiences of harm online
Three-quarters (75%) of children tell us they have experienced at least one online harm.
Parents’ concerns about their children’s experiences
Parents are most concerned about their child’s exposure to mis/disinformation, spending too much time online and contact with strangers. These worries are leading to an increasing number of parents supporting bans on social media and smartphones for certain age groups.
The role of parents
Parents are children’s number one source of information about online safety and where they turn to when things go wrong online. From parental controls to open conversations, parents use a range of knowledge and tools to keep their children safe online.
Schools and media literacy
Schools play a central role in preparing children with the media literacy skills and knowledge needed to thrive online. This includes being able to critically evaluate information; create and share content responsibly and safely; and awareness and ability to protect yourself from the risks of being online.
Methodology
- Internet Matters Pulse is a bi-annual nationally representative survey of 1,000 UK children (aged 9-17) and 2,000 UK parents of children aged 3-17.
- The most recent survey was conducted from 24 October – 13 November 2025 by Opinium Research.
- It asks children and parents a range of questions about children’s digital habits, online experiences, parents’ concerns, and approaches to online safety.
- For further information and insight, please contact Katie Freeman-Tayler, Head of Research and Policy.
How we use these insights
Research
Informed or Overwhelmed? Understanding the impact of online news on children’s wellbeing
This report explores how children navigate the online news landscape and highlights the importance of media literacy for navigating these spaces.
Research
Me, myself and AI chatbot research
Explore findings around children's use of AI chatbots and the impacts it could have on their digital wellbeing.
Research
Understanding and improving how children report online harm
Explore how children engage with reporting tools on the platforms they use.
Research
Age assurance and online safety: What parents and children have to say
Ahead of the publication of Ofcom’s Children’s Safety Codes, our recent tracker survey asks children and parents what they think about age assurance.
Research
Protecting children from harms online: Response to Ofcom consultation
Our Policy and Research team shares our submission to Ofcom’s consultation to protect children from online harms.
