The age of 12 is when parents feel their child’s digital knowledge overtakes their own


New research reveals a digital knowledge gap between the generations.

Almost half of parents feel their children know more than them when it comes to digital technology, with 60 per cent claiming they wish they were more digitally savvy.

Revealing a digital knowledge gap between the generations, the new research found that 12 is the age at which parents feel their child’s digital knowledge overtakes their own.

Only one in ten parents are familiar with trending social media platform BeReal and just 35 per cent have heard of Twitch, despite the soaring popularity of the live streaming site, the study by Vodafone discovered.

Furthermore, seven out of ten parents say their children use technological terms they don’t understand – with digital slang such as ‘GRWM’ (get ready with me) and OOMF (one of my friends) among the phrases they’re unfamiliar with. Similarly, ‘smishing’, ‘NFT’ and ‘digital activism’ are among the online terms mums and dads wouldn’t be able to explain.

Vodafone has released its interactive Digital Parenting Pro, a parental controls and safety settings resource created in collaboration with Digital Awareness UK. The hub will include tips from NSPCC experts.

The survey found digital safety tops the poll of skills where parents feel most ill-equipped to help their children, with more than a quarter of claiming they would feel more at ease with their child using the internet if they had a better understanding of how to keep them safe.

Social media proves the biggest area of concern for mums and dads, with apps such as Facebook, TikTok and Instagram coming out top of the list of digital worries for more than half of parents.

Nicki Lyons, chief corporate affairs and sustainability officer at Vodafone UK, said: “When it comes to tech any parent or carer knows what it’s like to feel like your kids know more than you, which is why we’ve created one the UK’s biggest parental controls resources.

“It’s designed to help people easily understand more about the latest games or social platforms, what age they are recommended for, and what safety features exist.

“We’ve been working in this space for over a decade, so we understand just how fast things move, and our latest resource will give parents and carers confidence when navigating the digital world.”

Vodafone’s Digital Parenting Pro resource can be found here.


Gooseberry Planet offers a package of over 50 lesson plans, slides, digital workbooks and online games for children aged 5-13 years. Visit our website for more details.

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