In 2020 we launched our first annual Digital Parenting Week, taking a moment to step back and celebrate parents for the incredible efforts they made to support their children during lockdown. 

We know that parents play a vital role in raising resilient children – and that lockdown made this job even tougher, as parents added “teacher” to the many skills and responsibilities they were already juggling. 

As school, social and family life moved online like never before, parents were there to help their children adjust to and navigate online learning and interaction with much-missed family and friends. And that deserved a thank you.

More than 250 organisations joined us – including primary schools,police forces, family support organisations and local authorities. They ran events and activities using our free advice and resources, from virtual thank you assemblies to craft projects, for pupils to share with their families. 

In Digital Parenting Week 2020 we also launched Ollee, a virtual friend developed in partnership with BBC Children in Need, to help families start conversations about tough subjects and emotions. 

Central Park Primary School in London found taking part in Digital Parenting Week a hugely positive experience for pupils and parents alike:

“Taking the time with students to acknowledge the hard work parents and guardians have been put through has been a real eye-opener. The children were given the chance to reflect on family and friends who have helped them with their online learning over the last 6 months. We know our parents will appreciate the thanks.”