Safety charity urges parents to be cautious when buying smart devices for children

A child using an Apple iPad tablet. Tablets carry similar risks to smartphones as children can access messaging apps and video sharing platforms.

Parents have been urged to choose wisely when it comes to their children’s Christmas gifts to keep them safe, as smartphones, tablets, and gaming consoles top many wish lists.

Online safety charity CyberSafeKids has launched its “gadget gift guide” ahead of the festive season which, it says, is aimed at helping parents make safer and informed decisions when purchasing devices for their children.

It comes as research it has commissioned suggests that over half of 8-12 year olds in Ireland own tablets and gaming consoles, while two in five own smartphones, over one in five have a smartwatch and one in 10 owns a VR headset.

“Smart devices can be amazing tools for learning and creativity, but they’re not toys — and they can expose children to risks such as scams, grooming and sexual content,” CyberSafeKids CEO Alex Cooney said.

“Parents should feel confident about when and how to introduce new technology, without feeling pressured to keep up with the latest trends.” 

The guide tells parents to be aware that managing Apple devices from Android, and vice versa, through parental control portals, can be challenging so they should think carefully about which brands they buy.

On tablets, the guide said they carry similar risks to smartphones as children can access messaging apps, video sharing platforms like YouTube and gaming platforms like Roblox on these devices.

It said: “If kids are gaming, start them off playing against the computer first; once they begin to play with others, monitor chat boxes and who they interact with (friend lists).

“Agree clear time and content restriction. Think about quality over quantity of screentime; it’s more about what they’re doing, not just for ‘how long’. Don’t allow tablets into bedrooms at night: charge them in communal areas.” 

While the guide stressed positives around gaming, it said that it can carry risks too as playing games online can sometimes be the first opportunity a child has to chat with others online.

It said this can be a “steep learning curve for children, who can be exposed to scams, grooming and cyberbullying”.

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Parents are told to use parental controls such as time limits and content filters on consoles, assess a game’s suitability from the beginning, and understand memberships and control purchasing behaviour.

For smartphones, it said there is no “optimal” time to give a child a phone but recommended that as late as possible is better and waiting until at least the age of 13, as it also urged parents not to “succumb to peer pressure”.

It added that parents should check browser history and homescreen regularly for new or unfamiliar apps and not to allow phones into bedrooms at night.

The guide was supported by the HSE, and its National Mental Health policy lead Derek Chambers said it offers practical support for parents buying smart devices and toys this Christmas.

“CyberSafeKids’ research highlights how crucial active parental and guardian involvement is in managing and supervising their children’s use of technology, so they can safely navigate the online world,” he said.

“As children’s digital engagement grows, so too do the associated risks — including exposure to harmful content or contact and cyberbullying. This is a daily reality and concern for families.”