Unsupervised Internet Use: Hidden Harms for Children
Why this case should worry every parent
A recent Irish Court case described a boy who began viewing pornography online at just six years of age. He later went on to sexually abuse his younger sister, recording and sharing the abuse online. The judge compared giving a child unfettered internet access, to handing a box of matches to a seven‑year‑old. The Judge issued a warning that there is no “best interests” argument for children going online without limits.
This case is shocking. But it is not unique. It reflects wider patterns of children accessing adult content, being exposed to extreme material. Children being left alone with powerful, connected devices for long unsupervised periods. Families, schools, platforms, and lawmakers all carry responsibility. The true reality here, is that parents and carers are often the first and last line of defence.
The Core Problem: Powerful Devices, Little Supervision
Most modern devices are designed to be personal, private, and always connected. But children rarely have the maturity to manage that power safely on their own. If a child has unsupervised internet access in bedrooms, or private spaces, especially at night this creates a problem. It now becomes far easier for harmful content and predatory behaviour to enter their lives.
In the case highlighted by the court, this boy spent up to 12 hours a day accessing content like pornography. This was done completely outside any meaningful adult supervision or support. Exposure to such extreme material at a young age can distort a child’s understanding of relationships, consent, and boundaries. In some cases, it will contributes to harmful, or abusive behaviour towards other siblings or peers.
How Offenders and Harmful Content Reach Children
Online offenders and harmful content do not need to break into a home to reach a child. They travel through everyday apps, games, and platforms children access every day. Social media, messaging apps, and gaming platforms often include private chat, user‑generated images and videos. These features make it easy to share material with little or no platform oversight.
In this case, abuse images generated by the child were uploaded to a social platform and distributed on from there. This resulted in the child victim losing all control of the harmful images created of her own body. Once the material is shared into these ecosystems, it can be copied, downloaded, and re‑uploaded repeatedly. This can make it extremely difficult to remove from the online world entirely, and it further deepens the level of harm experienced by the victim.
Who is most at risk?
All children who use devices alone, in bedrooms, or other private spaces, particularly late at night, are at higher risk. These risks include encountering pornography, harmful content, and contact from online sexual predators. Very young children who are given tablets, or phones as “digital babysitters”, can quickly stumble on to content designed for adults, or older teens.
Families facing stress, isolation, or lack of support, may rely more heavily on screens to keep children busy or engaged during the day. Unfortunately, these parents often don’t realise just how much unsupervised time a child is spending online. Children who struggle offline, for example with loneliness, bullying, or neurodivergence, can also be more vulnerable to cyberbullying, grooming, or coercion in digital spaces.
What “supervision” should actually mean
Supervision is not about standing over a child every time they touch a device. It is about building a layered safety model that combines technical controls, clear rules, and ongoing conversations. Effective supervision means knowing which devices your child uses, which apps and games they access, who they interact with, and how long they spend online.
It also means making conscious choices about where devices are used. Keeping younger children on shared screens in family areas. this initiative alone can dramatically reduce the window of opportunity for secretive or harmful use. As children grow older, supervision should shift towards trust‑based oversight. These include spot checks, and open dialogue rather than constant monitoring.
Step‑by‑step actions for parents and carers
Take back control of devices
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List every device your child uses (phones, tablets, consoles, laptops, smart TVs) and who owns each one.
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Ensure you can log in to each device, app, and account, and that you know the passcodes; this is a safety requirement, not an invasion of privacy for younger children.
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Move devices out of bedrooms and into shared family spaces, especially for children under 16.
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Set clear “offline times” when devices are put away, such as overnight and during meals.
Set up filters and parental controls
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Enable parental controls on home broadband, mobile networks, and each device your child uses.
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Use built‑in tools on major platforms to restrict mature content and limit who can contact your child.
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Block or filter pornography and other adult content, recognising that no tool is perfect but each layer reduces risk.
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Review app store settings to restrict downloads by age rating and require adult approval for new apps.
Agree clear family rules for online use
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Create a simple family agreement that covers where, when, and how devices can be used.
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Make it clear that sharing sexual images, even between minors, can have serious legal and emotional consequences.
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Set expectations that children will come to you if they see something upsetting or confusing, and commit to listening before reacting.
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Review these rules regularly as your child grows and new technologies or platforms emerge.
Talk about pornography before it finds them
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Explain that pornography is content made for adults and does not show real‑life, respectful relationships.
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Use age‑appropriate language; for younger children, focus on the idea that some pictures and videos are “not for kids” and can be upsetting.
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Make a plan for what you want your child to do if they see sexual content online – for example, turn off the screen, take a screenshot if safe, and come straight to you.
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Reassure them they will not be in trouble for telling you, even if they clicked on something out of curiosity.
Guidance for teachers and schools
Schools play a crucial role in balancing digital learning with child protection and wellbeing. Teachers can reinforce safe internet rules in the classroom. Ensure that devices used for learning are filtered, monitored, and set up in line with age and policy.
Schools should include conversations about pornography, consent, and digital footprints in age‑appropriate SPHE and wellbeing curricula, recognising that many students will encounter sexual content long before adulthood. Having clear reporting pathways and links with child protection services helps ensure that any disclosure of harm is handled safely and promptly.
Supporting young people directly
Young people deserve honest, respectful guidance that treats them as partners in their own safety, not passive recipients of rules. They should understand how algorithms, recommendations, and private messaging can push them towards more extreme material or risky situations over time.
Encourage teens to think critically about what they watch, share, and save and to recognise when they feel uncomfortable or pressured online. Let them know that if they have seen or shared sexual content, they are not alone, and help is available without judgement.
Practical phrases to start the conversation
Parents and carers often know something is wrong but struggle to find the words. Simple, non‑judgemental phrases can open the door:
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“You are growing up with an internet that even adults find hard to handle. How do you feel about what you see online?”
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“Sometimes videos or pictures pop up that are meant for adults. Has anything like that happened to you?”
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“If you ever see something sexual or upsetting online, I want you to know you will not be in trouble for telling me.”
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“Let’s look at your apps together and make sure the settings are on your side, not against you.”
These kinds of conversations work best when they are short, regular, and linked to real life, not only after a crisis.
Emotional wellbeing and the impact of harm
Children who are exposed to pornography or sexual exploitation online may experience shame, anxiety, sleep problems, and difficulty trusting others. In the highlighted case, the younger child was removed from the home and is now thriving in a safe foster placement, which shows how powerful a stable, protective environment can be for recovery.
Parents should watch for changes in mood, secretive device use, withdrawal from family, or sudden interest in sexual themes that seem out of step with a child’s age. Where there are serious concerns, it is vital to seek professional support from child protection services, healthcare professionals, or specialised online safety organisations.
When and how to seek help
If you suspect any child is experiencing harm online or off, you should always report it to local child protection authorities or law enforcement. Especially where there is any indication of abuse, the creation, or sharing of sexual images of minors. Many countries now have dedicated reporting channels for child sexual abuse material, which can help remove content and safeguard victims.
Alongside formal reporting, families can reach out to trusted organisations that specialise in online child safety education and support, such as Children of the Digital Age, for guidance on next steps. No parent should feel expected to manage these issues alone.
Call to action: steps to take today
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Move children’s devices into shared family spaces and set overnight “offline” times.
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Turn on parental controls and content filters on broadband, mobiles, and key apps.
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Have a short, calm conversation with your child about what they might see online and what they can do if something feels wrong.
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Review your family’s rules around device use, and write them down so everyone is clear.
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Save contact details for local child protection services and relevant hotlines in case you ever need them.
