Parents warned over risky online material

The latest details of research among Irish 9 to 16-year-olds show they are being more exposed to harmful images and messages. Despite age restrictions, one-in-seven aged 9 or 10, and 39% of 11 and 12-year-olds, have a social network profile, but both figures are lower than in most European countries.

Almost half the younger group — third-class and fourth-class ages — were on Facebook, a site which three-quarters of 11 and 12-year-olds use. Between 6% and 10%, depending on age, had a Twitter account.