Why Parents Must Speak Up Using the Online Safety Consultation

Our Kids Are Growing Up Online. But Are They Safe?

From social media and gaming platforms to AI chatbots and endless scrolling content, children today are growing up in a digital world unlike anything previous generations experienced. However

For many parents, it feels impossible to keep up.

Questions around online safety, screen time, social media addiction, harmful content, cyberbullying and the impact technology is having on children’s mental health are becoming more urgent every single day.

Now, the UK Government is asking the public to help shape what happens next through the Growing Up in the Online World – national consultation.

And at Dadvengers, we believe parents and carers need to be part of this conversation.

What Is The UK Online Safety Consultation?

The Government’s online safety consultation is exploring how children experience the online world and what changes may be needed to better protect them.

The consultation includes discussions around:

Setting minimum age limits for social media
Restricting addictive features such as autoplay and infinite scrolling
Stronger age verification measures
Better parental controls and guidance
Mobile phone use in schools
The wider impact of social media and digital technology on children’s wellbeing

These conversations could directly influence future UK online safety laws and policies affecting families across the country.

Dadvengers Attends Government Online Safety Roundtable

Recently, Dadvengers founder Nigel Clarke attended an influencer and community roundtable discussion with Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for AI and Online Safety, Kanishka Narayan.

The session brought together voices from parenting, family and online communities to discuss the realities of raising children in a digital-first world.

One message came through loud and clear: Parents are worried, but there were also difficult questions raised that deserve much wider discussion.

12/05/2026. London, United Kingdom. Minister Kanishka Narayan hosts an influencer roundtable to support Online Safety Consultation.

Are Parents Being Left Behind?

One of the biggest themes discussed was education.

Many parents are trying to guide children through apps and platforms they don’t fully understand themselves. Social media changes quickly, trends evolve overnight and online pressures are becoming harder to spot.

At Dadvengers, we believe parents need more support, education and honest conversations around the digital world children are growing up in.

Because safer online spaces start with awareness as much as restrictions.

Do We Need An Online Police Force?

Another important question raised was accountability.

If harmful content, exploitation, bullying and dangerous online behaviour continue to grow, who is actually responsible for policing these spaces?

Many parents feel social media platforms are still reacting too slowly when harm occurs online. As technology evolves, there may need to be stronger systems, regulation and enforcement to protect children effectively.

The question is whether current laws can realistically keep pace with the speed of the internet.

London, United Kingdom. Nigel Clarke and Lou Beckett at influencer roundtable.

Does Banning Social Media Make It More Attractive?

One of the most debated topics was whether banning or restricting platforms actually works.

Some argue age limits are essential for protecting children. Others question whether making apps “forbidden” simply increases curiosity and pushes young people towards hidden accounts, workarounds or less regulated online spaces.

This is why many experts believe education, communication and digital awareness must sit alongside any future restrictions.

Because children will always find ways to access online spaces if adults are not part of the conversation.

How Long Will Online Safety Consultation Change Actually Take?

For many families, this is the frustrating part.

Even if strong recommendations come out of the consultation, meaningful policy changes, regulation and implementation could still take years.

Meanwhile, technology continues to move rapidly.

That’s why parents, carers, schools, organisations and communities cannot afford to wait passively for change. Conversations around online safety need to happen now, both at home and nationally.

Why Parents Need To Speak Up

This consultation is one of the few opportunities parents, carers, teachers and young people have to directly influence future online safety policy in the UK.

Too often, families feel decisions are made about them rather than with them.

This is a chance to change that.

Whether you believe social media age limits should increase, stronger protections are needed, or more support should exist for parents, your voice matters.