NEWS

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 Contact: Susie Gilden | Susie@mismediasavvy.com

“Online Risk Report” reveals gaps in monitoring, communication and confidence around digital safety

BOCA RATON, Fla. (August 12, 2025) – As children spend more time online than ever before, a new global survey from Child Rescue Coalition shows that many parents may be underestimating the risks and overestimating their own level of oversight.

According to findings from the nonprofit’s Online Risk Report, 34% of parents, more than 1 in 3, do not use any kind of parental controls or monitoring apps on their child’s devices. While many report having access to their child’s device, 13% of parents surveyed never review their child’s direct messages or chats, and 41% only review them as needed (not on a regular basis). Nearly half (49%) of parents surveyed say their child has never come to them about content or conversations that have made them uncomfortable online, while 1 out of 10 parents don’t feel confident having those conversations.

“The goal isn’t to scare parents, but to help them act,” said Greg Schiller, CEO of Child Rescue Coalition. “Online exploitation isn’t just happening in dark corners of the internet. It’s happening in apps our kids use every day on their electronic devices. And often, it starts with something as seemingly innocent as a chat request.”

As a nonprofit dedicated to protecting children from sexual exploitation, Child Rescue Coalition provides law enforcement around the world with free technology to identify and apprehend individuals who target children online. With a mission rooted in prevention, the organization launched the Online Risk Report to better understand how families are navigating digital safety at home and to empower parents with the tools and knowledge they need to keep kids safe in an increasingly connected world.

While many parents use monitoring tools or know their child’s passcode, the findings suggest that digital access does not always translate to digital involvement. Child Rescue Coalition encourages parents to normalize device checks as part of ongoing safety conversations, not punishment.

“Knowing your child’s passcode isn’t about violating their privacy. It’s about being ready to act when it matters most,” Schiller said.“You wouldn’t give your child the keys to the car without teaching them to drive, obtaining insurance, and having a license. Safety is key.”

The survey also asked parents which platforms their children use at least three days a week. The most common responses included:

• YouTube (used by more than 70% of respondents’ children)
• Texting/iMessage
• Roblox
• Instagram
• TikTok
• Snapchat
• Google Docs/Drive (often for school collaboration)

Other frequently mentioned apps included CapCut, Messenger Kids and WhatsApp. This combination of social, gaming and educational tools highlights how easily children can be reached online through multiple entry points.

Additional findings include:

• 92% of parents have talked to their child about online grooming or unsafe content
• 24% check their child’s device only monthly or less
• 58% say their school is not doing enough to teach internet safety
• The good news? 89% of parents DO know their child’s passcode!

Even parents who care deeply about their child’s well-being may feel unprepared to navigate conversations around sexting, group chats or digital drama. Schiller emphasized that discomfort should not prevent action.

“You don’t have to be perfect. You just have to be present,” he said. “These conversations matter. Kids need to know they can come to you without fear or judgment.”

Parents who reported more frequent check-ins and open conversations were more likely to recognize the signs of online grooming, such as secrecy, excessive flattery or strangers asking for photos. “Awareness is your first line of defense, and you get there by talking to your child early and often,” Schiller said.

As students return to school with smartphones and tablets in hand, Child Rescue Coalition encourages families to treat this season as a digital safety reset. These tools are part of kids’ daily lives, Schiller noted, and so should conversations about using them safely.

“Whether your child is 8 or 18, you should be the most trusted adult in their digital life,” he said. “That starts with regular, real conversations, not one-time warnings.”

The full Online Risk Report will be released later this summer and made available to schools, policymakers and the public at childrescuecoalition.org.

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About Child Rescue Coalition

Child Rescue Coalition (CRC) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting children from sexual exploitation. Using its proprietary technology, Child Rescue Coalition has trained law enforcement in 106 countries and all 50 states.Our technology has helped law enforcement identify and arrest more than 16,800 predators and rescue more than 3,800 children. The organization also provides education and resources for parents and communities to keep kids safe online. Learn more at childrescuecoalition.org.