Evidence that Irish children are being increasingly exposed to risks online by releasing personal information was revealed today.
The EU Kids Online survey finds that many young Irish people are giving out their personal information online.
It is published to mark Safer Internet Day, which seeks to raise awareness of internet risk and safety issues for children throughout Europe.
The findings have been collated from recent research published in different EU countries.
EU Kids Online is collecting and comparing these findings, in preparation for a full report to be published in June.
Across 21 countries, the highest figures are reported in the following three countries:
In Ireland, social networking sites have led to many more children disclosing personal information - from 28% of 9-16 year olds giving out their names or email addresses in 2006 rising to 79% (of 10-20 year olds) in 2007.
In addition, 49% gave out their date of birth, 12% their mobile number and 8% their home addresses last year.
In the Czech Republic, most online teenagers have given out personal information to a stranger - 91% email address, 79% their picture, 72% their phone number.
In Poland, 64% gave an online contact their phone number, 42% gave their address, 44% gave their photo.
Growing evidence of risk online
In Ireland, despite high figures for disclosure of personal information, risk figures are generally similar to those for other European countries.
There has been a rise from 19% to 27% of 9-16 year olds who have been asked for personal information from an online stranger. In other words, it seems that safety awareness is greater in Ireland.
In the Czech Republic, an online survey found that 65% of 12-17 year olds have met online contacts offline - a figure considerably above the one in 12 more commonly found in European countries, pointing to the need for greater safety awareness.
Poland, however, stands out as a high risk country for teens online across a range of risks, with 56% of teenage girls online being subject to unwanted sexual conversation.
52% of 12-17 year olds were invited to meet an online contact offline. Of those, 44% went to actually meet these contacts and few told an adult.
Furthermore, the evidence shows that children and young people are not just experiencing online risks but also are distressed by them:
17% in Belgium (9-12 year olds) felt threatened online.
19% in Estonia (6-14 year olds) were disturbed by a stranger online.
44% girls/30% boys in Germany (12-19 year olds) had unpleasant experiences in chat rooms.
Professor Sonia Livingstone, director of EU Kids Online, based at the London School of Economics and Political Science, said: 'Although children and young people are delighted with the opportunities open to them on the internet - especially for social networking - many of them are giving out personal information without realising who might see it.
'As a result, our research has found substantial amounts of bullying, harassment and unwanted sexual messages, which is very distressing for some.'
EU Kids Online (www.eukidsonline.net) is the first systematic European comparison of research findings from 21 countries on children and young people's experience of the Internet and online technologies. Now in its second year, the network is funded by the EC Safer Internet Plus Programme.
Safer Internet Day 2007, and the European Internet Safety portal, are at www.saferinternet.org
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