According to a survey, two-thirds of parents discover more about their child’s life at the dinner table than at any other time.

The survey of 1,000 mothers and fathers of children aged 6 to 16 found that 41% believe mealtimes are the only opportunity they have to truly connect with their offspring.

Parents admit to finding it difficult to discuss topics such as their children’s feelings, school life and friendships. More importantly, they struggle to talk about their children’s online experiences.

A third of them find it more difficult to discuss their children’s online experiences than their romantic relationships.

Singer, presenter and mother of two, Frankie Bridge, like many parents, struggles not to worry about her children, especially when it comes to the digital world.

Frankie Bridge, whose eldest son Parker will start secondary school in September, said: “I consider myself pretty internet savvy, but when it comes to my kids it’s a whole different world – their lives in line are so different from mine.”

“As a parent, it’s a little overwhelming trying to balance all the things I’m worried about — like gaming, social media, everything I don’t really understand — while keeping in mind that a lot of what we do is now done online,” she added.

Recent research from Tesco Mobile found that one in ten parents admit to being unaware of their child’s online activities, although three quarters consider their child’s online safety a top priority.

To help bridge this gap, Tesco Mobile has teamed up with The Cafe to launch a series of conversation starters aimed at facilitating open discussions about online safety between parents and children.

The advice, developed by child psychologist Dr Martha Deiros Collado and online safety experts at Internet Matters, is available online or via a QR code on the Café’s ‘table talkers’, located in Tesco stores.

Dr. Martha Deiros Collado advises: “When discussing online safety, approach it as a collaborative conversation – not an interrogation – by sharing your own experiences, listening without judgment, and validating their feelings.

“Regular family time, like mealtimes, is ideal for normalizing these discussions and building trust, so children feel safe in their digital lives. As a clinical psychologist and mother, I have seen how smartphones can have a positive and positive impact on young people’s mental health. negatively.

“While cyberbullying and online harassment pose real risks, smartphones also provide valuable opportunities for teens to build friendships, find support and feel a sense of belonging. It is essential to educate children about managing these risks while helping them take full advantage of the Internet. “

Research found that among parents who view mealtimes as an opportunity to chat with their child, 61% believe it promotes closer family bonds.

Nearly half attribute this to the lack of distractions, while 48% consider it a safe environment for emotional expression. 51% think that the routine and regularity of meals allow their child to open up more easily.

Sally Marriott, CTO of Tesco Mobile, commented: “As parents we are constantly faced with new challenges, and keeping children safe online is one of the most pressing.

“By bringing these discussions to the table, we hope to help families overcome the challenges they face when trying to broach difficult topics like this.”