Irish teens ‘more risk-averse online’

Teens across Europe are becoming more exposed to dangerous websites and cyberbullying, but young Irish people are taking fewer risks than others.

That is the conclusion of a researcher at the end of a four-year project to survey children about their internet use and parental controls.

The final report of the EU Kids Online survey highlights how 11 to 16 year olds across Europe were more likely to be exposed now to harmful material than when the first surveys were carried out in 2010. For example, 20% are now exposed to hate messages, up from 13%, but there is also increased exposure to pro-anorexia sites (up from 9% to 13%); self-harm sites (11%, up from 7%); and cyberbullying (up from 7% to 12%).