CyberSafeIreland Annual Report - Online Safety

CyberSafeIreland Annual Report - Online Safety
18-September-19
CyberSafeIreland Annual Report - Online Safety

12% of 8-year olds spend 61 full days online a year – CyberSafeIreland

  • Government urged to introduce long-term strategy on children’s online safety
  • 92% of 8 – 13 year olds own their own smart device
  • 43% of children are talking to people online that they don’t know in real life
  • 52% teachers don’t feel equipped to teach online safety messages in the classroom.
  • Survey by CyberSafeIreland of almost 4,000 children aged between eight and thirteen

More than one in ten children aged 8 to 13 are spending more than 4 hours a day online, according to figures released in CyberSafeIreland’s latest annual report, was launched by Minister Mary Mitchell O’Connor at PTSB’s new Digital Hub on Hatch Street.

The survey by the children’s internet safety charity found that 12% of 8 year olds are spending over 4 hours online each day and this rises to 15% of 12-year olds, equivalent to spending 61 days each year glued to a screen.

The charity has also highlighted that 43% are speaking to strangers online, with a third of them speaking to strangers every day or at least once a week. It also found that a high proportion of boys, including 36% of 8-year olds boys and 43% of 10 year old boys, are playing over-18s games and being exposed to violent and sexual content that is not appropriate for their age.

CyberSafeIreland surveyed 3,867 children aged between 8 and 13 in schools over the last academic year and found that 92% owned their own smart device.[1] This means that the vast majority of children own a device that connects to the Internet and that many are active online.

Minister of State for Higher Education Mary Mitchell O’Connor, said:

“I’ve seen first-hand how beneficial technology can be in the field of learning, but it is not without risks. As a Government we have been working hard on this issue and we are keen to hear the important contribution of CyberSafeIreland, and I will be endeavouring to ensure that the issues raised in their annual report get the attention they deserve from the various Government Departments involved.”

The data also indicates that there is a much greater chance of children being signed up to social media or messaging apps if they own their own device (67% versus on 24% of those who don’t own a smart device). Overall, it found that 60% of children were signed up to social media sites and this included 48% of 8-year olds and 68% of 11 year olds.

99% of the children surveyed were under the age of 13, which is the minimum age restriction of all of the most popular social media and messaging apps, with the exception of WhatsApp, which is 16. Snapchat remains the most popular social media app with this age group, followed by WhatsApp, Instagram and Tiktok.

CyberSafeIreland’s new Head of Education & Innovation, Philip Arneill, said:

“As a teacher with 20 years’ experience I know how kids this age like to spend their time but it’s astonishing to think that 12% of the children surveyed spend 4 or more hours per day online: that amount of daily screen time equates to a total of 61 days each year. While technology undoubtedly brings social and educational benefits, it is vital that screen time is monitored and that it is balanced appropriately with all the other aspects that contribute to a healthy lifestyle. It is imperative that parents and teachers are able to equip children with all the relevant skills to keep themselves safe given the many risks that they face.”

In terms of its impact on schools, the report highlights that most teachers (59%) are having to deal with online safety incidences like cyberbullying in the classroom. This is of particular concern given that the majority of teachers (52%) do not feel equipped to teach online safety messages to their pupils.

A high proportion of children (36%) are rarely or never talking to their parents about online safety and this is particularly notable when children are 8 (45%) and 9 (39%). Whilst an assumption might be made that children this age are less active online, our data shows that 37% of 9 year olds who have never spoken to their parents about online safety are in fact on social media and messaging apps. All children in this age-group who are online are potentially vulnerable; but those who are online without parental engagement are particularly vulnerable.

CyberSafeIreland’s Chief Executive Alex Cooney says,

“We are urging the Government to establish a long-term strategy that includes strong and effective measures on education, public awareness and regulation. The online service providers benefit so much from their users, without having to take the full degree of responsibility that they should. So much more needs to be done and given the number of kids who are active online, time is of the essence”

The charity believes a national campaign is needed to raise awareness amongst parents and teachers, and to provide them with the information and support they need to help ensure their children remain safe online.

For more information on CyberSafeIreland, please go to http://cybersafeireland.org, where you will find lots of helpful resources, top tips and advice.

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