A large majority of primary school-aged children have unsupervised access to smart devices in their bedrooms, according to new research.
Data from CyberSafeKids reveals that 82 per cent of children have such access, while 28 per cent reported they could go online whenever they wanted.
The survey of more than 2,000 children aged eight to 12 across the country was conducted by the online safety charity between September and December 2024.
Half of the children surveyed acknowledged that they spend too much time online.
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CyberSafeKids, an online safety charity, said its research revealed “an alarming lack of parental oversight” with only 35 per cent of children stating their parents or caregivers can see what they are doing online.
“The fact that the vast majority (82 per cent) have unsupervised access to smart devices in their bedrooms increases their risk of being exposed to inappropriate sexual or violent content or contact from strangers,” it said.
“It also decreases the possibility of them telling a trusted adult if something goes wrong as they probably weren’t supposed to be online at the time.”
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Of those children (32 per cent) who’ve been bothered or upset by something they’ve experienced online in the last year, only half spoke to a parent or trusted adult.
The survey also found that 16 per cent of children have also seen something online that they wouldn’t want their parents to know about in the last year.
Derek Chambers, the HSE’s national mental health policy lead, said the research highlighted the “digital disconnect” between parents and children.
“We know that overexposure to the digital world can have a negative impact on sleep, mood and overall mental health, and this research also reminds us that children’s unsupervised access to smart devices in their bedrooms increases their risk of being exposed to harmful content or contact from strangers,” he said.
Dr David Coleman, a clinical psychologist, said parents needed to be more involved in children’s online lives.
“The fact that primary school-aged children affected by distressing content or interactions online are choosing not to discuss these experiences with a parent or trusted adult is concerning,” he said.
“Parents need to facilitate that open discussion with children about their online lives.”
Alex Cooney, chief executive of CyberSafeKids, said while there needed to be more support for parents, tech companies also had to be “compelled to create safer online spaces for children too”.
“There is too much social pressure for children to be online and in many cases it’s before they are ready,” he added.
CyberSafeKids is launching a campaign on Tuesday, Same Rules Apply, which seeks to support parents in approaching children’s lives online and to mark Safer Internet Day.
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