We’re kidding ourselves over online safety
»»Nine-year-olds talk »»Report finds social to strangers every day media age limits ignored
Children online are at risk ALMOST 20% of nine-year-olds talk to strangers online every day while more than half ignore social media age restrictions, a report found yesterday.
This has led to calls to start education programmes earlier while the Government and companies have been urged to take stronger action to protect youngsters.
The Cybersafeireland annual report was compiled after more than 5,000 children, parents and teachers were quizzed while attending training sessions in the last year.
It found age restrictions of 13 on social media and messaging applications appear largely meaningless, with 68% of children aged eight to 13 owning a smartphone.
Cybersafeireland chief executive Alex Cooney said: “Our data highlights the need to start education programmes with both parents and children from a young age with a focus on children embracing a more positive use of technology.”
The report stated stronger action by Government and social media companies is required with 32% of children admitting talking to strangers online every week.
Mr Cooney added: “It’s vital the Government does more to address this issue and goes further than its recent Action Plan on Online Safety to set clear time-bound targets by which the success of its policies can be measured.
PROTECT
“It’s also high time social media companies did more to protect under-age users and in the absence of these well-resourced companies stepping up to the plate then the Government should appoint a Digital Safety Commissioner to enforce greater corporate responsiveness.”
Meanwhile, the survey found 30% of children have rarely or never discussed online safety with parents.
It also revealed 13% of kids are spending over four hours online including almost 20% of 12-year-olds.
While many connections may be harmless there are cases where the contact with strangers is of significant concern, particularly where potential for sexual exploitation or grooming exists.
Cybersafeireland’s programme director Cliona Curley said: “The reality is we are not addressing online safety with our children either at home or in school early enough.
“In some schools we visit, we find by sixth class these discussions are almost coming too late.
“By the age of 13, we are finding many children already have very established habits and patterns of behaviour online.”
of youngsters asked said they rarely or never discussed online safety
of children told pollsters they spend at least four hours a day online
of 13-year-olds own a smartphone with full internet access