Is paid online surveys for children considered safe? In this blog post, we will discuss online safety, rewards, and we’ll also give you a list of reputable survey sites for families.
By the end, you’ll have a clearer understanding of whether taking online surveys is a suitable option for your child and how to make an informed decision that aligns with their well-being and interests.
From What Age Can Children Take Surveys?
There is no minimum age for children to participate in market research in the UK*, but the Market Research Society (MRS) recommends 16 years as the minimum age for young persons to take surveys without their parent’s consent and supervision.
What about children under 16?
Children under 16 can also take part in research, but only when parents give their consent and provide supervision during the survey. Additionally, the survey needs to be designed for the child’s age group and should not include any sensitive topics.
These guidelines aim to protect the rights and well-being of children, ensuring that their participation in surveys is appropriate, respectful, and in line with legal requirements.
To summarize:
- Children 16 and above: Can take part in market research – parental consent is not required.
- Children 15 and below: Can also take part in market research, but the market research company needs to obtain consent from the parent(s) before asking the child to agree.
*For more detailed information, read the MRS guidelines for research among children and young people. Note that these regulations are different from country to country. This blog post is focused on the UK.
Quizzical Quests: Surveys and Quizzes Engage Curious Children
Children naturally enjoy quizzes that engage their curiosity and provide an element of fun. For some good examples of this, check out our interactive London Kids Quizzes.
When online market research surveys are created in an engaging and interactive way, they can tap into this natural enthusiasm, making the survey-taking experience enjoyable for the child while providing high value to the researcher.
By incorporating interactive elements like games, visuals, or interactive questions, surveys can capture the child’s attention, encourage active participation, and maintain their interest throughout the process.
This not only enhances the quality and accuracy of the data collected but also ensures a positive and rewarding experience for the child.
When children perceive surveys as enjoyable activities rather than tedious tasks, they are more likely to provide thoughtful and authentic responses.
So our advice to the world of serious market researchers:
Make the surveys fun and engaging for kids!
Parent-Child Powerhouse: A Dynamic Consumer Group
Market research companies value the opinions of families as they play a crucial role in consumer behaviour, especially during significant life events. For instance, when mothers have a baby, their consumer habits often undergo significant changes.
This presents an opportune moment for companies to engage with families and promote their brands, such as convincing new mothers that their nappies are the best choice.
By understanding the customer journey through market research, companies can shape their marketing messages and develop products that align with the needs and desires of families, ultimately providing better solutions and experiences.
This is an important reason why market research companies often are willing to pay extra rewards to get insights into families’ consumer behaviour and preferences.
Should I Let My Child Participate in Online Surveys?
It’s important to assess the content and purpose of the surveys, ensuring they are age-appropriate and aligned with your family values. Ultimately, it’s essential to make an informed decision based on your child’s individual needs and your comfort level as a parent
In this section, we’ll look at the pros and cons of research involving children.
Positives Aspects
- Flexibility: There are no obligations, and parents and children can fit survey participation into their busy lives, without compromising their other commitments and responsibilities.
- Be an influencer: By sharing their opinions and experiences, parents and children can have a direct impact on the development of products, services, and policies.
- Empowerment: Participating in research empowers parents and children by giving them a voice and allowing them to express their perspectives and concerns.
- Improve Products: Through research participation, parents and children contribute to the improvement of products, services, and programs that directly impact their lives.
- Rewards: Many research studies offer rewards or incentives for participation, such as cash payments, gift cards, or vouchers.
- Learning Opportunities: Engaging in research allows children to develop critical thinking skills, gain exposure to various topics, and learn about the research process.
Negative Aspects
While there are potential benefits to involving children in online surveys, it’s important to consider the potential negative aspects as well. Some of these include:
- Privacy Concerns: Pay attention to the privacy policies and safeguards in place to protect your child’s personal data.
- Online Safety Concerns: Check that the survey platform is a reputable site operated by a recognised market research firm.
- Time Management: Strike a balance between their child’s participation in surveys and their other responsibilities and activities.
By checking survey reviews on sites such as HuginX, you’ll quickly narrow down on survey platforms that are safe for children. In the section further down, we’ve shortlisted the top 5 safest survey sites for children in the UK.
Here is an infographic summarising what parents should pay the most attention to:
The 5 SAFEST Surveys Sites for Children in the UK
Surveys can be a great way for young individuals to share their opinions, earn rewards, and contribute to market research. However, it’s essential to ensure that the platforms they participate in are reliable, safe, and age-appropriate.
To help you navigate the options, we have compiled a list of reputable survey sites for families that are known for their commitment to data protection, ethical practices, and rewarding experiences.
These survey sites have established themselves as trusted platforms in the market research industry, providing a secure environment for your children to share their insights and earn incentives. Let’s explore the list and find the perfect survey sites for your family.
Note that some of these survey sites may be affiliate links, meaning that we’ll earn a small commission if you click to sign up. However, this has not had any impact on the selection of sites we recommend. All sites are reputable and recognized within the UK market research industry.
YouGov Surveys
- 15 years and below: Can take surveys through their parent’s account/supervision.
- 16 years and over: Can sign up with their own account.
YouGov is perhaps the most famous UK polling and survey company, frequently cited as a source of statistics in many of the UK’s leading newspapers. This is a reputable and trusted survey site that parents can confidently consider for their children’s involvement in taking surveys.
With a strong presence in the market research industry, YouGov has established a reputation for conducting high-quality surveys and protecting the privacy of its participants, including children. The platform offers a wide range of surveys that cover various topics, allowing children to share their opinions on age-appropriate subjects.
YouGov has clear guidelines in place to ensure ethical practices, data security, and compliance with privacy regulations. Parents can trust that YouGov provides a safe and reliable environment for their children to engage in survey-taking activities, while also offering an opportunity for them to have their voices heard and contribute to market research.
Company: YouGov
Rewards: PayPal, Vouchers
Registration: Open for new members
OpinionPanel – Savanta
- 15 years and below: Can take surveys through their parent’s account/supervision.
- 16 years and over: Can sign up with their own account.
OpinionPanel is a highly trustworthy survey site that parents can confidently entrust with their children’s participation. With a focus on young people aged 13-30, OpinionPanel ensures that all research opportunities are age-appropriate and designed to protect the safety and security of its members.
The panel is owned by a market research company called Savanta, which adheres to the strict guidelines set by the Market Research Society, including obtaining parental consent for children under 16. The platform guarantees anonymity and confidentiality, never disclosing personal details or exposing members to advertising or marketing efforts.
Moreover, OpinionPanel values its members’ opinions and rewards them for their participation, offering shopping vouchers as incentives. With a long-standing presence since 2004 and a large user base of over 140,000 members, OpinionPanel has established itself as the UK’s largest youth market research panel, trusted by both young people and their parents alike.
Company: Savanta
Rewards: PayPal and Vouchers
Registration: Open for new members
Panelbase – Dipsticks Research
- 15 years and below: Can take surveys through their parent’s account/supervision.
- 16 years and over: Can sign up with their own account.
Panelbase is a highly reputable and trustworthy survey site that parents can confidently rely on for their children’s involvement in taking surveys. With a strong commitment to data protection and participant privacy, Panelbase ensures that all personal information provided by members, including children, remains secure and confidential.
They strictly adhere to ethical standards and industry guidelines, prioritizing the well-being and safety of their participants. Panelbase offers a wide range of age-appropriate surveys, ensuring that the topics and content are suitable for young individuals.
As a trusted market research platform, Panelbase values the opinions of its members and provides fair incentives for their participation, including cash rewards and gift vouchers. With a solid reputation and a large community of participants, parents can feel assured that their children will have a secure and rewarding survey-taking experience with Panelbase.
Company: DRG – Dipsticks Research
Rewards: Bank transfer
Registration: Open for new members
Ipsos iSay
- 15 years and below: Can take surveys through their parent’s account/supervision.
- 16 years and over: Can sign up with their own account.
Ipsos iSay is one of the largest market research firms in the world and can be fully trusted by parents when it comes to involving children in surveys. With a global presence and a long-standing reputation in market research, Ipsos i-Say ensures the privacy, safety, and ethical treatment of its participants.
One example of a survey involving parents and children is the Children of the 2020s study. This is a long-term study that is following the lives of children born in the 2020s over the course of their first five years. The study is being conducted by Ipsos in collaboration with the University College London and the Department of Education. The goal of the study is to understand how children’s lives are changing in the 21st century and to identify the factors that are influencing their development.
The platform offers a wide range of surveys that cover diverse topics suitable for various age groups. Ipsos iSay takes privacy seriously, employing stringent data protection measures and adhering to industry standards.
Parents can have peace of mind knowing that Ipsos iSay provides a secure environment for their children’s participation in surveys, with the opportunity to share their opinions and contribute to valuable research.
Company: Ipsos
Rewards: Vouchers, PayPal, Prepaid debit cards
Registration: Open for new members
Lifepoints Panel – Kantar
- 15 years and below: Can take surveys through their parent’s account/supervision.
- 16 years and over: Can sign up with their own account.
Lifepoints Panel is a reputable and serious survey site that parents can trust for their children’s participation in surveys. With a focus on gathering valuable insights from a diverse range of individuals, Lifepoints Panel ensures that surveys are conducted in a responsible and ethical manner.
The platform maintains a strong commitment to data privacy, implementing robust security measures to protect the personal information of its members, including children. Lifepoints Panel offers a variety of age-appropriate surveys that cover a wide range of topics, allowing young participants to express their opinions on relevant subjects. As a reward for their contribution,
Lifepoints Panel provides various incentives such as redeemable points, gift cards, or cash payments. With its established presence in the market research industry, Lifepoints Panel has earned the trust of both participants and parents alike, making it a reliable choice for children to engage in surveys in a safe and meaningful way.
Company: Kantar – WPP Group
Head office: London
Rewards: Vouchers, PayPal
Registration: Open for new members
Examples of Surveys for Children and Parents
Wondering what type of surveys you’ll get when signing up for these sites? Let’s take the famous toy manufacturer Lego as an example. LEGO’s journey towards product excellence begins with a deep understanding of consumer insights.
Lego targeting girls: Addressing gender disparity
By conducting extensive market research, LEGO has been able to gain valuable knowledge about its target audience – children and parents alike. The company utilizes various research methodologies, including surveys, focus groups, and observational studies, to gather insights into consumer preferences, trends, and emerging play patterns.
LEGO has paid particular attention to the gender dynamics within the toy industry. One significant discovery was that only 9% of primary users of LEGO sets were female, indicating a gender disparity in LEGO’s consumer base. In response to this insight, LEGO embarked on a mission to create toys that would appeal to girls and encourage their participation in the LEGO play experience.
Armed with these insights, LEGO set out to create products that would genuinely engage and empower girls. They conducted additional market research to understand the preferences and interests of girls, seeking feedback on what they wanted to see in LEGO sets. LEGO actively involved girls and their parents in focus groups, surveys, and playtesting sessions to ensure their voices were heard and their needs were met.
Examples of consumer surveys involving parents and children:
- Toy brand preferences survey
- This survey aims to understand the preferences of both parents and children regarding toys and playtime activities.
- Questions may include asking parents and children about their favourite types of toys, brands they prefer, and playtime routines.
- Parents are encouraged to involve their children in discussing their toy preferences and help them provide input.
- Snack and beverage brand survey
- This survey focuses on gathering insights about snack and beverage preferences among families.
- Questions may cover topics such as favourite snack brands, flavours, packaging designs, and healthy snack options.
- Parents are requested to involve their children in discussing their snack and beverage choices and assist them in answering the questions.
- Children’s clothing brand survey
- This survey explores the preferences of parents and children when it comes to children’s clothing brands and styles.
- Questions may ask parents and children about their preferred clothing brands, favourite colours, and fashion trends.
- Parents are encouraged to involve their children in discussing their clothing preferences and help them provide input.
- Children’s entertainment survey
- This survey aims to gather insights about children’s entertainment preferences, such as movies, TV shows, and books.
- Questions may include asking parents and children about their favourite characters, genres, and brands in the entertainment industry.
- Parents are requested to involve their children in discussing their entertainment choices and assist them in answering the questions.
- Family dining experience survey
- This survey focuses on understanding the dining preferences and experiences of families at various restaurants and food establishments.
- Questions may cover topics such as favourite restaurant chains, menu choices, and family-friendly dining amenities.
- Parents are encouraged to involve their children in discussing their dining experiences and preferences to provide comprehensive feedback.
Considerations for Parents of Children Taking Surveys
To summarise our article on surveys for children, we’ve listed a few key points which are important to consider:
Privacy and Security: Select a survey platform that prioritizes the privacy and security of participants, especially when involving children. Through platforms such as HuginX, you can narrow down reputable survey sites that handle personal information responsibly and protect against data breaches.
Provide Supervision: Supervise your child actively when taking surveys. Be present when they are completing surveys, especially for younger children, and provide guidance or clarification if needed.
Monitor Survey Content: Take an active role in reviewing the survey content your child will be exposed to. Ensure that the surveys are age-appropriate and do not include any sensitive or inappropriate material.
Limit Personal Information Sharing: Help your child to understand the importance of never sharing personal data beyond what is necessary for the survey. Teach them to be cautious and avoid providing sensitive details such as their full name, address, or contact information.
Teach Online Safety: Talk to your child about online safety measures, such as not clicking on suspicious links, not engaging in conversations with strangers, and reporting any inappropriate content or behaviour they encounter during surveys.
Encourage Open Communication: Foster an environment of open communication with your child. Encourage them to discuss their survey experiences, and any concerns they may have, and report any uncomfortable situations or encounters.