Almost a quarter of London parents check their teenage children’s phones to spy on their messages and calls, a new research claims.

A survey by the National Citizen Service found that 24 per cent of Londoners aged 16 and 17 claim their parents have checked their phone without permission.

This is compared to only 17 per cent of teenagers across the UK as a whole claiming their parents monitor their phones without permission.

Parents across the UK are snooping on their teenage children’s social media and messaging habits, with nearly three quarters of parents saying they should keep an eye on their online habits.

72 per cent believe they should keep an eye on what their children are doing on social media, while 73 per cent said they thought they should check what else their teenagers look at online.

The research also suggested teenagers had some sympathy for their parents' position, with 68 per cent of teenagers in the survey saying they felt their mobile phone did give them more freedom, but 85 per cent added they understood that checking their phone made parents feel safer, knowing they can contact them at any time.

Natasha Kizzie, from the national citizen service, said: "Teens and their parents often have to navigate changes in their relationship as young people enter adulthood.

"For both teenagers and their parents or guardians, freedom and independence is a natural part of growing up.

"Technology is a great facilitator. Parents and guardians just want to know that their son or daughter is safe."