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Trends & Usage Report

A Life Behind The Screens provides a detailed overview of data collected in the 2024-25 academic year from over 9,000 children (aged 8-15) across Ireland. It's a vital insight into how children spend their time online, levels of access, and children's experiences, both positive and negative.

With a foreword by Professor Sonia Livingstone OBE, the report also highlights trends, risks and an essential call to action to do more to create a safer online world for children and young people.

See below to find out more and read the report.

CyberSafeKids logo on a cartoon computer with a mum and her child
CSK_T&U 24-25_Front_Cover

Cybersafekids: Trends & Usage Report

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Who should read this?

Everyone! This report is vital reading for concerned parents and guardians, educators, youth workers, policy makers, media, researchers and anyone who wants to stay up to date with trends in youth use of digital technology.

Some key findings:

  • 26% of primary school children (aged 8–12) and 36% of secondary school (aged 12–15) used chatbots for homework, friendship and information.
  • 28% of 8–12 year olds and 26% of 12–15 year olds experienced content or unsolicited contact that ‘bothered’ them, including exposure to horror, violence, sexual material, threats, scams, and dangerous ideas.
  • For 8–12 year olds, this most commonly occurred on YouTube (60%) and Roblox (59%) for 8-12 year olds. For 12-15 year olds, this occurred most commonly on TikTok (51%) and Snapchat (40%).
  • 42% of 8-12 year olds, and 62% of 12-14 year olds do not talk to their parents about their online activity.
  • 63% of primary school-aged kids (79% in secondary school) say their parents can’t see what they're doing online.
  • Roblox is the most popular social gaming platform(63%) for 8-12 year olds.
  • 71% of 8–12 year olds used 13+ social media and instant messaging apps, including YouTube (60%), WhatsApp (29%), Snapchat (25%), and TikTok (23%).
  • 47% of 8-12 year olds did not tell a parent when bothered by something online, rising to 73% for 12-15 year olds.

You can also request a set of our full findings by clicking on the button below.

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