Smartphones Many parents failing to grasp risks to youngsters, says study

BRISTOL parents are unaware of just how much harmful material their children are subjected to on their phones, a study of thousands of city schoolchildren has found.

- Jasmine NORDEN

The research, by UWE Bristol, surveyed 3,721 secondary pupils at six schools in and around Bristol.

It found the 1,595 parents, who were also surveyed as part of the study, underestimated the extent to which their children reported seeing disturbing and illegal content, suicide and self harm content, eating disorder content, and being contacted by strangers.

Dr Paul Redford, study coauthor and associate professor at UWE Bristol's School of Education and Childhood, said: "The overall picture is that there are much more serious negative things going on with young people and their smartphones than parents are aware of."

Fellow coauthor Dr Ben Knight said the disconnect was likely a result of what children were and were not sharing with parents.

"There's a great deal more at stake for the young people than there is for the parents.