Survey finds 24% of all Irish six-year olds have a smartphoneWith the latest parenting survey revealing the shocking statistic that almost a quarter of all six-year olds now have their own smartphone, an online safety parental awareness campaign has been launched by CybersafeKids. Accessing disturbing content relating to self-harming, (25%) and addiction to social media (16%) were also cited by parents as concerns. Only 28% of parents are using parental controls to protect their children, with the data showing that 24% of children as young as six own a smartphone. 80% of parents of children aged eleven with smartphones said their child's internet access is only "sometimes or never" supervised. To support parents, CyberSafeKids' campaign 'Same Rules Apply' highlights the need to approach parenting children online in the same way that we approach parenting them offline - emphasising that the same parenting rules should be applied to both worlds.

Source: Irish Independent February 06, 2024 18:35 UTC