Do more to keep kids safe online

THE disclosure that one in five nine-yearolds talk to strangers online every day should act as a wake-up call to parents.

While youngsters are regularly warned not to chat to people they don’t know on the street, it appears the same level of caution does not apply when they use social media.

The Cybersafeireland annual report paints a disturbing picture of an online world where laws such as age restrictions are not taken seriously.

The study found rules which were put in place to safeguard children are largely meaningless and, what is even more alarming, this does not appear to unduly concern many parents.

There is a huge gulf between what children and teenagers are doing online and what their parents think they are doing.

Parents must make it their business to find out and to ensure they are protected from the dangers that lurk just a few key strokes away from their children’s fingertips.

While much criticism has been levelled at social media networks, platforms such as Facebook can only do so much and ultimately it is the responsibility of parents to ensure their children remain safe.

The Government must also play its part by appointing the long-promised Digital Safety Commissioner to make sure the rules are being followed and to take action if they are broken.