Parent and Carer Involvement in the Online World of Children

Since 2014, the Barnardos Online Safety Programme, supported by Google.org, has equipped children, parents, and educators across Ireland with the knowledge and tools to navigate the digital world safely. Delivering workshops to over 100,000 children in more than 1,000 schools, the programme promotes a holistic approach where digital providers, policymakers, and communities all contribute to creating safe, age-appropriate online spaces. Each year, Barnardos gathers insights from children to shape programme delivery, and this year’s research also includes the perspective of parents and carers. The report explores how supported children feel by their caregivers in online activities, their comfort in discussing digital experiences, and when they seek help. Findings show that teens often struggle to talk about the emotional aspects of their online lives, while younger children seek more guidance on identifying misinformation, emotional wellbeing, and online consumer behaviour but value autonomy over screen time and social media use. Parents, although actively engaged, report difficulty keeping pace with technological change. The insights underscore the need for open communication, mutual trust, and shared digital experiences between parents and children to strengthen resilience, encourage positive online participation, and promote digital safety.

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