Types and Mechanisms of Parental Oversight for Children's Online Spending

About this data

Ofcom's June 2025 research into persuasive design features and the potential financial harm to children examined the technical, financial and verbal mechanisms used to limit or monitor children's digital spending. Overall, 84% of parents reported having at least one method of parental control or monitoring in place regarding their child's online spending, whereas 15% reported having no restrictions or controls set up. Parents rely on a combination of hardware-level configurations, app features, real-time alerts, bank account controls and verbal agreements. Device and platform-level controls are the most widespread measure, used by 25% of parents. Platform, website and app-specific controls are configured by 21% of parents, while 16% implement password/passcode protections on devices and 14% on specific platforms/apps. Real-time notifications and banking safeguards are used by 20% of parents. In terms of financial controls, 16% of parents enable controls directly on their child's bank card or account, 11% secure bank accounts with passcodes and 9% issue gift cards or vouchers as an alternative with a spending limit. Verbal rules and soft boundaries (non-technical rules) remain common: 19% of parents verbally instruct their child not to spend money online or specify permitted items, and 14% verbally set a monthly spending limit.