Around 70% of parents and carers described young people’s social media use as intensive, while approximately 40% felt it was difficult for young people to disengage once online. These concerns were often tied directly to issues central to EDFA’s mission, with around half of respondents linking their child’s social media use to heightened body image distress, rigid food beliefs, increased comparison, and in some cases the worsening or onset of eating disorder symptoms. Around 45% of parents and carers also reported feeling significant pressure and uncertainty as they tried to monitor online content, set boundaries, and intervene early, often describing technology as moving faster than their ability to keep up.

When reflecting on the new legislation, parents and carers expressed a wide range of views. Around a quarter of respondents strongly supported the reform and saw them as an important opportunity to reduce young people’s exposure to harmful, appearance‑driven content and the kinds of digital pressures that can exacerbate body dissatisfaction, anxiety, and eating disorder risk. About 20% were less certain, voicing concerns about whether the laws could be practically enforced or whether restrictions might unintentionally push young people toward less regulated platforms where risks are harder to detect. A further quarter expressed conditional or mixed views, welcoming the intent of the legislation while highlighting potential practical challenges for families. A smaller group (around 15%) emphasised that social media can also provide meaningful benefits, particularly for young people who rely on digital spaces for identity exploration, community connection, education, or creative expression. The remaining respondents held neutral, ambivalent, or descriptive views.

These perspectives reinforce the need for a balanced approach that pairs age restrictions with stronger platform accountability, more effective content moderation, and accessible digital literacy support for families.