The Year Little Changed
The Year Little Changed is our annual snapshot of children's digital lives in Ireland, providing a detailed overview of data collected in the 2025-26 academic year from over 7,000 children (aged 8-15). It's a vital insight into how children spend their time online, levels of access, and children's experiences, both positive and negative.
Sponsored by Deloitte, 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: 'THE YEAR LITTLE CHANGED' REPORT
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:
- Generative AI use among young people has exploded: a huge 55% of primary school children (aged 8–12) and 76% of secondary school (aged 12–15) used chatbots for homework, friendship and information.
- Almost half of all children surveyed say 'no-one has talked to them about AI'.
- Roblox and WhatsApp are the most popular platforms for 8–12 year olds and 12-15 year olds respectively.
- 26% of 8–12 year olds and 25% of 12–15 year olds experienced content or unsolicited contact that ‘bothered’ them, including exposure to misinformation, threats, violence, sexual material and dangerous ideas.
- For 8–12 year olds, this most commonly occurred on Roblox (58%). For 12-15 year olds, this occurred most commonly on Snapchat (48%).
- Despite legislative changes, 70% of 8–12-year-olds still have accounts on 13+ social media apps.
QUICK LOOK:
Time Most spent online
0%
(8–12yo)0%
(12–15yo)QUICK LOOK:
Most popular digital environments
0%
(8–12yo)0%
(12–15yo)QUICK LOOK:
Already using AI
0%
(8–12yo)0%
(12–15yo)QUICK LOOK:
Have 13+ social media accounts