A government minister has urged fathers across the UK to take a more active role in protecting children online, as new figures reveal that dads account for fewer than one in four parental responses to a major public consultation on internet safety.
The 12-week consultation, which seeks views on proposals including a social media ban for under-16s, screen-time curfews, and phone bans in schools, closes on May 26. So far, only 6,500 of the 28,000 parent responses have come from fathers.
Labour MP Kanishka Narayan, the Minister for Online Safety, stressed that fathers have a vital part to play. "Right now, far more mums have shared their views than dads, but fathers have just as vital a role to play in keeping their children safe online - and we want to hear from them too," he said.
Boys and Young Men at Risk
The call for greater male participation comes amid concerns that boys and young men are experiencing online harm linked to body image, misogynistic 'banter', and addictive behaviours. Lee Chambers, CEO of Male Allies UK, suggested that many men may feel hesitant to engage due to fear of judgment or a perception that online harm does not directly affect them.
"Online misogyny is much more prevalent, and men and boys might see this more as about protecting others than including them, and not see themselves in the issue. They may also engage less through fear of saying the wrong thing or being judged," Chambers said.
The Preston-based psychologist highlighted specific issues affecting boys online, including gambling addiction, isolation from AI companions, and pressure to conform to extreme body ideals promoted by 'looksmaxxing' culture. "Gambling adverts and content is heavily pushed towards men and boys, having real world consequences," he added.
Regional Disparities
Participation also varies by region, with lower response rates from the Midlands, northern England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Minister Narayan emphasised the need for a diverse cross-section of views: "This is an issue that matters to families of every background, in every region - and it's so important that everyone has a direct say in the action we take. I don't want this to be a consultation that only reflects one part of the country."
Chambers urged men and boys to take part, and called on the government to make the process more accessible. "Framing it around things that boys are more likely to engage with, from platforms to games to content creators, will make it feel more relevant and familiar. Making it easy and quick is also beneficial, and show men are contributing and other men will think it's a normal and valuable thing to do," he said.
The consultation is open to all UK residents, including children and young people. To participate, search 'Growing up in an online world' online. For support, visit the NSPCC or InternetMatters.org.
