According to a 2020-2021 survey of parents in the United Kingdom (UK), the majority of respondents are aware that tablet or smartphone settings can be changed to prevent unwanted app downloads and in-app purchases. Overall, parents of children aged between five and six were more likely to not only be aware of such controls, but also to use them, while 28 percent of parents of young teens reported being aware of this possibility but choosing not to use it.
Parents in the United Kingdom (UK) who change the settings on their children's devices to avoid in-app purchases or app downloads as of January 2021, by age group
Characteristic
5-7
8-11
12-15
Aware and use
41%
38%
23%
Aware but do not use
16%
18%
28%
Total aware
57%
56%
51%
Total not aware
43%
44%
49%
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%
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Parents in the United Kingdom (UK) who change the settings on their children's devices to avoid in-app purchases or app downloads as of January 2021, by age group
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parents whose child uses a smartphone or tablet computer
Method of interview
Online survey
Supplementary notes
Original question: "Before today, were you aware of any of these types of technical tools or controls? Change the settings on your child’s phone or tablet to stop apps being downloaded or stop in-app purchases "
Base: Parents of children aged 3-15 (782 aged 3-4, 756 aged 5-7, 694 aged 8-11, 740 aged 12-15).
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Ofcom. (April 27, 2021). Parents in the United Kingdom (UK) who change the settings on their children's devices to avoid in-app purchases or app downloads as of January 2021, by age group [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved April 09, 2025, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1254378/parents-stopping-children-devices-app-downloads-and-iap/
Ofcom. "Parents in the United Kingdom (UK) who change the settings on their children's devices to avoid in-app purchases or app downloads as of January 2021, by age group." Chart. April 27, 2021. Statista. Accessed April 09, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1254378/parents-stopping-children-devices-app-downloads-and-iap/
Ofcom. (2021). Parents in the United Kingdom (UK) who change the settings on their children's devices to avoid in-app purchases or app downloads as of January 2021, by age group. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: April 09, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1254378/parents-stopping-children-devices-app-downloads-and-iap/
Ofcom. "Parents in The United Kingdom (Uk) Who Change The Settings on Their Children's Devices to Avoid In-app Purchases or App Downloads as of January 2021, by Age Group." Statista, Statista Inc., 27 Apr 2021, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1254378/parents-stopping-children-devices-app-downloads-and-iap/
Ofcom, Parents in the United Kingdom (UK) who change the settings on their children's devices to avoid in-app purchases or app downloads as of January 2021, by age group Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1254378/parents-stopping-children-devices-app-downloads-and-iap/ (last visited April 09, 2025)
Parents in the United Kingdom (UK) who change the settings on their children's devices to avoid in-app purchases or app downloads as of January 2021, by age group [Graph], Ofcom, April 27, 2021. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1254378/parents-stopping-children-devices-app-downloads-and-iap/
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