Our children are growing up online. Are we keeping up?

We often speak about children's safety as though the dangers begin when they leave home. We want to know where they are going, who they are spending time with and when they will return.

But what happens when some of their most important relationships and experiences are taking place on a screen?

A September 2026 UNICEF report estimated that almost one in five internet-using children aged 12 to 17 across 21 countries experienced some form of technology-facilitated sexual exploitation or abuse within a year. Importantly, many of these experiences involved people the children already knew.

This should challenge how we approach online safety as parents.

For years, we have warned children against speaking to strangers. That advice still matters, but it is no longer enough. Children also need to understand inappropriate requests from friends, manipulation in private messages and what to do when someone threatens to share personal information or photographs.

Artificial intelligence introduces another concern. Children can now have conversations with systems that respond patiently, offer advice and appear to understand their emotions.

The technology may be useful for learning, but we cannot assume that every interaction is harmless simply because there is no human being on the other side.

I believe we need to become more curious about our children's digital lives.

Not every conversation should begin with suspicion or punishment. Sometimes the better starting point is asking what they enjoy online, who they speak to and whether anything has made them uncomfortable.

Children also need to know that asking for help will not automatically result in losing access to their devices.

That requires trust.

We should certainly expect technology companies to improve their safety measures. But as parents, we also have a responsibility to understand the environments our children are entering.

We don't need to know everything about technology to be effective parents. We do, however, need to remain willing to learn. Our children are growing up in a world we did not experience at their age. Perhaps the least we can do is make sure they don't have to navigate it alone.

For additional reading: UNICEF: Through Children's Eyes