The non-departmental public body has published three new studies that show how youngster live deeply digital lives from an early age, how that relationship becomes more complex over time and how parents often feel torn between encouraging independence and protecting their children.

An online survey conducted among 4,000 children (aged eight-to-17 ) and their parents found that 36% of kids talk or play with people they only know online, or do not know at all. This figure rises to 40% for 14-to-16-year-olds.

Worryingly, over half ( 52%) of children said they would find ways to circumvent age checks to access a platform or online service, rising to 64% among those children whose parents had already helped them sidestep age verification. Nearly a third ( 31%) said they had actively bypassed age checks.

Research into parental use of controls unearthed concerns for those parents who thought they had already taken sufficient action to protect their children. While 91% of parents reported using monitoring controls or tools, 41% of children said they had tried to avoid them and nearly half said they found it easy to do. The ICO said the findings showed that “setting parental controls is an important step, but not a substitute for regular check-ins”, adding that the digital landscape changes constantly.

The third study was compiled from in-depth interviews with 30 children aged eight-to-17, and their parents. It revealed the emotional complexity behind the above statistics. Many parents said they felt resigned rather than empowered, stuck between giving their child independence and wanting to protect them.

The research identified location sharing as an area of concern, while also being considered a “digital umbilical cord” by families. One boy shared precise geolocation data with 141 vendors and 71 ad partners whilst not really understanding his actions.

The research is published alongside the ICO’s latest children’s strategy update, which demonstrates how regulatory action is making practical changes to online platforms that help protect children online. It also comes off the back of the ICO’s “Switched on to privacy” campaign, which launched earlier this year.

Katie Searle, ICO’s director of children’s strategy, said: “Children today are growing up in an extraordinary digital world, and it’s completely understandable that many parents feel like they're one step behind.

“The findings are clear: children who discuss online privacy with their parents on a weekly basis are more likely to feel that privacy settings keep them safe. Frequent, open conversation works.

“Our ‘Switched on to privacy’ campaign is here to help families find their footing – not by switching everything off, but by staying curious, staying connected, and checking in regularly.”