A shocking number of children are spending hours online each day, research has found.
And many are below the required age for the apps they are using on their devices.
CybersafeIreland, which conducted the survey, has called on the Government to introduce a strategy to teach kids to be safe.
The study found 12% of 8-year-olds are spending more than four hours online each day, rising to 15% of 12- year-olds, equivalent to spending 61 days each year glued to a screen.
The charity has also highlighted that 43% of children are speaking to strangers online, with a third doing so every day or at least once a week.
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 CSI.
“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.”
As part of the study, CSI surveyed 3,867 children aged between eight and 13 in schools and found 92% owned their own device, meaning they have a direct route to online access.
The research showed 60% of children were signed up to social media sites and this included 48% of 8-year-olds and 68% of 11-year-olds.
This is despite the fact that popular social media apps like Snapchat, Instagram and Facebook have a minimum age restriction of 13.
CSI’s head of education and innovation Philip Arneill said: “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.”
CSI chief Alex Cooney added: “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."
