New research released by the National Anti-Bullying Research and Resource Centre at Dublin City University shows that less than 20% of parents supervise their child’s activity online and their e safety.

Don’t miss the chance to have your say! We’re looking for parents to get involved and give their feedback on all aspects of family life. Find out more here.

Their latest research shows that 52% of 6-8 year old children now have Internet access but only 18% of parents supervise their children’s use of social media.

Cybersafeireland.org have also released these facts which we found a bit disturbing:

• 17% of children from 9-12 years-old have been in contact with stranger
• 1 in 5 children say that have been bothered by something on the internet in the past year (double the rate reported in 2010)
• 18% of children from 9-12 years-old were either little or very upset by online or offline bullying
• 11% of children have received sexual messages over the internet and 20% have seen sexual images
• 45% of 9-10 year olds use the internet in their own bedroom on a daily basis
• There has been a five-fold increase in the number of 9-10 year olds exposed to sexual images in 2014 compared to 2010
• 14% of children (aged 11+) have been exposed to online material promoting eating disorders
• 8 out of 10 children who use social networking use Facebook as their main profile
• Instagram is children’s most popular media sharing platform

Fast Facts (source: Net Children Go Mobile 2015 www.netchildrengomobile.eu)

Here are some tips for parents:

• Talk and listen to your children about their use of internet and social media and e safety
• Set up email and chat accounts with your children. Make sure that you know their screen names and passwords and that they don’t include any personal information in their online profiles.
• Make sure you set up accounts on the social media platforms too so you can understand how they work.
• Take time to discuss cyberbullying and online harassment with your children and do not be afraid to ask them if they have ever been involved as a bully, victim or bystander
• Tell your children that you won’t blame them if they are cyberbullied. Emphasise that you won’t take away their computer privileges – this is the main reason kids don’t tell adults when they are cyberbullied.