Today is Safer Internet Day and we are being warned about the heightened risks for children who spend time online.
While cyber safety experts say more screen time is inevitable during the current Covid restrictions, social media use by underage children has surged.
CyberSafeKids has released the findings from a survey of more than 2,000 children aged between 8 and 12.
82% of them have profiles on social media and messaging apps. This compares to 68% last year.
It also shows that despite most well-known social media apps such as TikTok and Snapchat having a minimum age use of 13, this isn't preventing younger children being active.
Their survey also found 1 in 3 children in this age group are allowed to go online whenever they want.
A finding of particular concern is that 28% of these children surveyed have friends or followers online that are strangers.
CyberSafe Kids is warning parents to be more vigilant when their children are online to limit risks linked to stranger interaction.
It's Chief Executive Alex Cooney also said that while technology has provided a huge opportunity for all of us during lockdown the benefit needs to be balanced against any risk.
Given the personal information shared on many of these platforms, she said children using social media should only have friends and followers that they know and is calling on parents to monitor this.
Speaking to RTÉ News, Elena Brooks, a mother-of-two said she has recently allowed her 13-year-old daughter more access to social media to connect with her friends.
However, she also expressed her concerns regarding the possible risks associated with social media, such as inappropriate information being shared and also the issue of online bullying.
Marking the importance of safe use of the internet, the Minister for Justice Helen McEntee launched #Bekindonline webinars today along with implementing Coco's Law, which criminalises the non-consensual sharing of intimate images online.
Minister McEntee said: "Image based abuse is absolutely disgusting and can ruin lives. There can be no tolerance for online abuse. Coco's Law represents a big step forward in tackling harassment and harmful communications."
She explained how the law pays tribute to the memory of Nicole Fox, and to "the selfless efforts of her mother, Jackie" who has campaigned to raise awareness about the harmful effects of online abuse and to make our laws stronger in this area.
"This legislation will not only provide an effective tool to bring to justice those who use technology to harm others, but it will also send a clear message that as a society the sharing, or threat to share, an intimate image of another person without their consent is not acceptable in any circumstance."
Separately, a survey of 2,000 parents and adults published by ComReg today shows its findings in relation to online safety.
It found 69% of parents checked a child's online behaviour, such as the apps they have downloaded or the online content they viewed.
It also found 67% of participants reported becoming more conscious of their privacy online over the past year.
It states that the majority have taken actions to help keep themselves safe online, such as increasing privacy settings or blocking someone.
