Families invited to share their experience of using smartphones and social media, and going online, to help shape policy and guidance.
As part of wider efforts to protect young people from online harms, the Scottish government is inviting families to respond to two surveys. The information gathered, anonymously, will help the government understand the support families need, and help in the development of public information and advice.
The first digital well-being survey is aimed at children and young people, and explores how children and young people use apps, screens and social media. It also looks at the possible effects of such digital technology on their well-being as well as their confidence in staying safe online.
The second digital-well-being survey is aimed at parents and carers. Among the questions it asks are those about their own screen use, their confidence in supporting their children online, and the resources they might find helpful.
The UK government has responsibility for legislation to do with online safety lies but the Scottish government are looking at what more can be done within its devolved powers. As well as the survey, it is conducting a review of more than 140 post-Covid research papers examining the impact of digital media use on the well-being of children and young people. The findings from the surveys and the review will be used to shape new policy aimed at reducing the impact of online harms.
The surveys close on Wednesday, September 30, 2026.
Siobhian Brown MSP, Minister for Children and Young People, says: ‘Going online and using social media gives young people access to huge amounts of information, which can have positive benefits for their learning and connection to friends, family and the world. However, it can also have a harmful impact on their physical and mental health and well-being. We also know parents and carers are worried about how long young people spend online, what content they may be viewing and the addictive nature of some apps.
‘We will continue to push the UK government to go further – for example we want to see a social media levy applied to online platforms which can then be reinvested back into our young people. However, we are also focused on what we can do within our powers in Scotland to ensure children and young people are safe and supported in their online lives, as part of a public health approach to online safety.
‘To that end, we are seeking the views of as many people as possible, particularly around what support and information they would find most helpful. The surveys are completely anonymous and will help us to inform any public health campaign on this important issue. This work comes on top of our action to create phone-free learning environments to ensure pupils can learn free from the disruption associated with mobile phones.’
Photo: Patricia Prudente / Unsplash
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