The Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children has recorded a 12% increase in the number of children contacting its Childline service this Christmas compared to last year.
The society said that it expects St Stephen's Day will be one of the busiest for the service.
Figures published by the ISPCC show that Childline received an average of more than ten calls an hour over three days this week on Monday, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
The 820 contacts represents a 12% rise in the number of calls made to the service over the same period last year.
The service's Listening Co-ordinator, Elizabeth Donlon Fox, said she believes around 250 more children and young people will contact the service today.
ISPCC Chief Executive John Church said that children and young people reach out to Childline because of something that has happened to them over the holiday period.
"For too many children and young people, Christmas simply doesn't happen," he said.
Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist Dr Colman Noctor said Christmas can be a difficult time of year for some people, adding that children can experience potentially unsafe situations
"Anyone who works with children will know that Christmas, for many people it's a lovely time but for others it's a really difficult time.
"When you take in the factor of people being stuck at home with alcohol, highly emotional situations, many children can experience that as a very unsafe place to be."
Childline can be contacted at Childline.ie, by calling 1800 66 66 66, or through the webchat service on its website.
