A new survey of almost 4,000 children has found that 43% of those aged between eight and 13-years-old are talking to people they have never met in real life on social media and gaming platforms.
CyberSafe Ireland surveyed 3,867 children and found that 92% of them owned their own smart device and were active online.
STRANGER DANGER
It found that 43% of those surveyed were speaking to strangers online, with a third of them speaking to strangers every day or at least once a week.
Although 99% of children surveyed were under the age of 13, which is the minimum age required to sign up to social media sites, many reported being active on the platforms.
Snapchat was the most popular with 33% of children surveyed having an account, WhatsApp was the second most popular app at 28%.
Some 23% reported having an Instagram account and another 21% reported having a TikTok account.
CyberSafe Ireland’s chief executive Alex Cooney said: “The online service providers benefit so much from their users, without having to take the full degree of responsibility that they should.”
HOURS PER DAY
More than 1 in 10 of children aged eight to 13-years old who took part in this survey said they spent more than 4 hours a day online – this included 12% of 8-year-olds and 15% of 12-year-olds.
Gaming was another issue raised by the charity as 29% said they played over-18 games, rising to 47% for boys and falling to 12% for girls.
“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,” said Philip Arnell, head of education and innovation at CyberSafe Ireland.
POOR KIDS MOST AT RISK
Children in schools in disadvantaged areas were 29% more likely to talk to strangers every day and 42% more likely to be online for more than four hours a day.
“This is such a scary story,” said Dr. Katherine Brown is an assistant professor in the School of Criminology at Tarleton State University in Fort Worth. She specializes in crimes against children. “What kind of conversations are children having with strangers and what kind of information are they giving out?”
TIPS FOR KEEPING YOUR KIDS SAFE ONLINE
Have a conversation with your kids – Warn them about malware, dangerous websites, and sex offenders. Let your kids know you’re looking out for them.
Keep your computer in a common area of the house.
Know which other computers your children are using.
Remind your children, “Don’t talk to strangers — or meet them” – Remind your children that people often lie about their age, and online predators often pretend to be children. Emphasize that your children should never reveal personal information, or even their friends’ names.
– Make internet time family time.
– Know your children’s passwords.
– Watch for changes in your children’s behavior.
– Pay attention to any gifts anyone gives your children.
– Check your children’s browsing history.
– Set rules — and stick to them.
– Think your child is being preyed upon? Report it.
– Use an antivirus! If your child accidentally begins to download any malware, it should automatically block the infection.