‘Online Safety & Children’s Digital Lives’ – research report published

The majority of children in Ireland think that it would be better to teach them about staying safe online rather than banning them from using social media. Meanwhile almost half of parents/caregivers also favour online safety education over a social media ban. These are just some of the key findings contained in a research report (PDF) being published today (10.09.2026) by Coimisiún na Meán.  

The report also found that parents and caregivers were more likely to agree (43%) than disagree (23%) that a ban wouldn’t be effective as children would circumvent it. When children were asked the same question, the majority agreed that a social media ban wouldn’t work because children would find a way to get around it. 

‘Online Safety & Children’s Digital Lives‘ is the Irish country research report compiled by Coimisiún na Meán which examines two national surveys, one of children and the other of their parents/caregivers and is part of the wider EU Kids Online survey.  The comparative report of the findings from all of the EU Kids Online participating countries will be published later this week. The EU Kids Online study is part of the “Global Kids Online Study”, which comprises of a global survey, and an international network of academics, social researchers and experts dedicated to studying children’s rights, risks and opportunities in the digital age. 

Speaking today, Jeremy Godfrey, Executive Chairperson at Coimisiún na Meán said: “This report provides important evidence on how children and young people in Ireland feel about their experiences of the internet. Crucially, this study allowed us to hear directly from children and young people and their parents/caregivers about their experiences and attitudes. The findings in this research will support evidence-based policy development, programme design and decision-making that deliver positive outcomes for children and young people.