Parents turning online for help feel overloaded

From TikTok tips to WhatsApp chats, parents of young children are now heavily reliant on scrolling for advice when it comes to their little ones, according to new research.

Nearly half are turning to online sources (46%), social media (33%), chat groups (30%) and AI (26%) for help, fast rivalling the number of those seeking support from friends and family (48%).

A new evidence review published by Kings College London today corroborates that ‘information overwhelm’ is an emerging issue for parents of young children when turning to digital sources. Navigating the high volume of online advice, which can be laden with misinformation and contradictions, means parents can struggle to judge the credibility of digital sources, which can in turn lead to stress, reduced confidence and can impact their decisions.

Aston spoke to child psychologist Professor Sam Wass.