The Netflix drama Adolescence, starring Owen Copper and Stephen Graham, has prompted over half of parents to adopt stricter measures regarding online safety, a study has revealed. A survey of 500 parents with children aged 8-13 revealed that 80% saw the show, which aired nearly a year ago, as a wake-up call.

Consequently, mums and dads have implemented an average of five new social media rules, including screen-free time before bed (27%), privacy setting checks (25%), and daily screen time limits (34%). Some have also tightened restrictions on what can be shared online (21%) and the content their children can access on social platforms (23%).

In the year since the show’s premiere, 63% of those who watched it confessed to being much more watchful of their kids’ online activities.

Miles Norman, UK & I general manager for Motorola, which commissioned the research to mark Safer Internet Day (10 February), said: “Many parents feel they’re navigating situations they never faced at the same age. That’s why setting clear boundaries matters, but so does creating an open and honest dialogue with children, so they feel comfortable coming to you when something doesn’t seem right.”

“With the right support, families can build healthier habits and safer experiences online,” he added.

The research found 56% of parents still feeling pressured to provide their child with a smartphone at a young age. For 53%, this pressure stemmed from not wanting their child to feel socially excluded, a sentiment that has risen by 9% since last year.

It emerged 46% of those who felt they had to relent and get their child a smartphone did so during primary school, when children are aged between seven-11. Shockingly, more than one in 20 (7%) began to feel this obligation when their children were just starting school – as young as four or five.

However, 34% believe having a mobile phone would help give their child a sense of independence and responsibility.

The research discovered that 55% of children believe they know more about smartphones than their parents do. Moreover, 63% are confident they could bypass any restrictions their parents implement to limit screen time or block access to certain apps.

Currently, 57% have accessed the internet or specific apps without their guardians’ knowledge, a figure that has risen by 13% in the last 12 months, according to the OnePoll.com data. Meanwhile, 41% have received, or stumbled upon, images or videos they felt they were too young to view, an increase of 10% year-on-year.

The survey also probed parents’ understanding of ‘Finsta’, a secondary – fake Instagram – used for sharing more candid or unfiltered content with a close-knit group of friends. It found that 23% are oblivious to this.

However, 64% expressed concern that these accounts could expose children to harmful content, and 60% fear they could heighten their interaction with strangers.

Miles Norman, from Motorola, which has produced a series of video guides for its Family Space app that provides a simple way to keep control of the access your kids have to apps and websites, added: “Smartphones have become a key part of everyday family life, helping people stay connected and supporting learning and entertainment.

“But as children spend more time online, it’s important that families have simple, practical tools and clear, age-appropriate settings in place to support safer use.”

TOP 10 CHANGES MADE BY PARENTS FOLLOWING ADOLESCENCE

1. Imposed stricter daily screen-time limits
2. Established age-appropriate content filters
3. Encouraged them to approach an adult if something online feels wrong
4. Held more regular discussions about online safety and risks
5. Decreased overall time spent online in favour of offline activities
6. Implemented device-free times (e.g., before bed, during meals)
7. Reviewed privacy settings across apps and platforms
8. Had more explicit conversations about online pressure, bullying or harmful content
9. Removed certain apps or platforms
10. Began using or tightened parental controls