Digital Parenting Update: 3 Stories You Should Not Miss This Week
Dear Parents and Educators,
Here are three important developments in the digital world that may affect the children and young people in your care.
Watch the latest update below
1. Roblox removes parental controls at 13
Roblox has updated its policy so that when a child turns 13, previously applied parental controls are automatically removed. This information was embedded within a wider update email, so it is easy to overlook.
Once a child reaches 13, they can:
- Change or disable content restrictions
- Adjust chat and messaging settings
- Modify privacy and communication controls
If your child is approaching their 13th birthday, it is worth reviewing their account settings together and agreeing clear expectations around communication, spending, and privacy.
2. TikTok under investigation in Europe
The European Commission has found that TikTok may be breaching the Digital Services Act. Concerns focus particularly on its recommendation algorithm and design features that maximise engagement, which may contribute to compulsive scrolling patterns among young users.
This investigation reflects wider concerns about how platform algorithms influence children’s attention, mood, and online habits.
3. Children exposed to harmful advertising
A recent report by The Guardian found that children in England are frequently exposed to adverts for products not intended for them.
Teenagers reported seeing:
- Prescription weight loss drugs
- Skin whitening creams
- Steroids and muscle-building substances
Many of these adverts appeared on social media platforms, gaming environments, and apps, despite age restrictions. This raises serious questions about how effectively advertising systems are protecting young audiences.
