Information for parents

We know that parents want to keep their children safe online. We’re also aware that parents don’t always know how to start or where to go for help.

With this in mind, it is helpful to know that there are now more rules aimed at protecting children online. Our Online Safety Framework regulates online platforms and other services and requires them to make changes to their services so that children are better protected online and are less likely to see harmful or illegal content.

Watch the video below, which outlines the rights that our Online Safety Framework affords young people.

Have a look at our pack for parents that explains the role of Coimisiún na Meán, as well as our scenario guide to understand what you can/can’t report to Coimisiún na Meán.

Look at our Legislation explained page which clarifies exactly what each of these rules do for children. If you find an online platform has not met its duties under these rules, you can make a report to Coimisiún na Meán.

See more on how to report on Something I saw or experienced online

Top tips for what you can do to help keep your child safe online

Report harmful or illegal content online

Platforms have obligations and duties under these new rules, which they must fulfil. It is important to report harmful and illegal content to the platforms first. To help your child online, you could report harmful content on their behalf, or you could help them report harmful content online.

If you can’t see how to report or you’re not sure how it works, check out our helpful guides. The Online Safety Framework requires that reporting online should be easy to find and easy to use. If it isn’t, we’d like to hear about it.

Use parental controls

Under the Online Safety Code, if the service allows users under the age of 16, platforms must provide parental controls measures to protect children from seeing age-inappropriate content. Examples of parental controls could include setting screen time limits, managing privacy and data settings, managing what children see online and who they connect with.

Guidance for our Online Safety Code says that parental controls should balance children’s rights, respect the privacy of its users, as well as being easy to use and easy to find. Parental controls can be helpful, but open communication with your child about their online experience is the best way to keep your child safe online.

If you can’t find parental controls on these video sharing platforms (VSPs), or if you think they are ineffective, you have the right to complain about these. If you can’t find this reporting mechanism, you can get in touch with Coimisiún na Meán.

Allow access only when old enough

For many years, children have been able to lie about their age to access platforms and potentially see content that wasn’t suitable for them. The new rules online aim to combat this and oblige certain platforms to have clear policies on appropriate forms of age assurance measures in place so as to help protect children from seeing harmful or age-inappropriate content.

As a parent, before you allow your child to create an account on a platform, make sure you are aware of the age policies. Children should always use their real age as that helps ensure they get a more age-appropriate experience on the platform. Children should never be encouraged to circumvent measures put in place to protect them.

If you’re not happy with the age verification measures put in place by various platforms, you can complain to the platform about this. If you can’t find this reporting mechanism, you can get in touch with Coimisiún na Meán to let us know.

Talk to your child

While parental controls are important when your child is young, you are the best parental control that exists in your child’s life. Keep talking to your child about their online lives, discuss their online experiences with them regularly, and encourage them to come to you if they see harmful content online. Ask them if they know how to block or report harmful content and if they don’t know how, learn together and show them.

Be a good role model and encourage them to ‘be media smart’ and to think before they believe something online, as well as checking their sources. Webwise has a great topic generator that is a fun way to introduce these topics into your every-day life.

What does Coimisiún na Meán do to protect my child online?

Coimisiún na Meán is Ireland’s media regulator and one of the roles we have is to enforce the Online Safety Framework. We don’t have the powers to immediately remove or oblige platforms to remove harmful or illegal content from the internet. However, each contact that we get from the public helps us develop a body of evidence in order to assess if platforms are following these rules or not. Based on this evidence, we have the powers to launch an investigation which could result in large fines being issued to the platforms.

Report to us

Further information / FAQs

Coimisiún na Meán is a new regulator in this online safety space. There are lots of other great organisations in Ireland working hard to empower parents to feel confident to discuss online safety and media literacy with their child. See below common questions that parents may have and our signposts to many useful resources already in place.

How do I speak to my child about online safety?

We understand that it can be difficult to have a conversation with children about online safety. It’s useful to know that there are a number of organisations that provide tips and resources to help with these conversations. Webwise forms a part of the Irish Safer Internet Centre and they coordinate Safer Internet Day. Their website has a wonderful parents’ section and a fun topic generator that you can use as a tool to choose topics about online safety to discuss with your child. Their parent section is like a one-stop shop, and gives explainers on the latest social media apps, as well as other helpful videos and resources about online safety.

There is so much information online – where do I start learning about online safety?

The internet can be overwhelming to navigate. The ISPCC have a great platform called the ‘Digital Hub’. This website provides videos and top tips on various issues to do with online safety. It gives advice on things like parental controls, how to help your child build a positive body image online and how to talk to your child about their digital footprint.

I don’t have a lot of time to watch videos. Is there anywhere I can find all the important information in one place?

Yes, CyberSafeKids have done a fantastic campaign called Same Rules Apply, meaning that whatever rules you have as a parent in the real world, like being polite and being safe when you cross the road, should also exist online. They also have a printable document called Better Digital Parenting, which highlights key tips for parents to be aware of. Webwise have a similar resource called ‘Parents Guide to a Better Internet’, as well as many other resources that parents might find useful.

Are my children being taught about online safety in schools?

In short, yes, but to varying degrees. In secondary school, students learn about online safety in a few subjects, but SPHE (Social Personal Health Education) is probably where it is referenced most. At second level, this subject has recently been updated and Webwise offer excellent resources to teachers to tackle issues like cyberbullying and non-consensual sharing of images. These resources are free to download and can be accessed digitally. At primary level, students get ad hoc lessons about online safety. The SPHE curriculum at primary school level is currently under review. Often schools get outside speakers to come into classes to discuss online safety with them. For example, CyberSafeKids do workshops in primary schools for students (aged 8–13). The Gardaí also have a school’s programme which covers cyber safety. You could try and liaise with your Parent–Teacher Association to see if such a talk could be organised in your school.

Are there workshops or webinars for parents about online safety?

Yes, a number of organisations run workshops for parents about online safety. For example, the National Parents Council run free workshops for parents. As part of their involvement with the Irish Safer Internet Centre, the National Parent’s Council also offer a free helpline for parents. CyberSafeKids also deliver parent sessions or corporate sessions. Barnardos run two public webinars a month for parents.

How do I prevent myself and my children from being scammed online? What do I need to look out for?

Scammers are extremely skilled at what they do. They use convincing tactics to get personal information from you in order to steal your money. They can learn a lot about you from the personal information you share online, and they tailor their message accordingly. To protect yourself, it is important to have strong passwords. As well as that, it is imperative that you think critically about the information you see online. Do not click on links sent to you by phone numbers or email addresses you do not know. Be suspicious of messages giving you hard deadlines like ‘You have 24 hours to recover your account’ or ‘Hurry, as only the first 100 people can claim this offer’. 
You can find tips on how to recognise and avoid scams on An Garda Siochána’s website, on the Central Bank of Ireland’s website, or on the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission’s website.
At Coimisiún na Meán, we fund and support Media Literacy Ireland (MLI). Every year, MLI have an excellent campaign and website called ‘Be Media Smart’. This campaign asks the public to Stop, Think and Check if information is accurate online. There are also top tips, an ‘ask the expert’ section, and training for the public to help with their media literacy skills.

Do I have rights online, as an adult, or does the Online Safety Framework only protect children?

As an adult, you do have rights under the Online Safety Framework. See our helpful infographic (PDF) which outlines what they are.