The parents associations of eight Laois primary schools held an information night for parents on the proposed ‘phone ban pact’ they hope to roll out.

The evening saw key speakers Child Psychologist Ms Catherine Hallissey, Director of Waterford Education Service Centre and founder of ‘Phone Free Waterford’ Dr Brian Barron, and local councillors John King and Cllr Conor Bergin.

Parents of children attending Scoil Bhríde Rathdowney, St. Colmcille's NS Errill, Killadooley NS and Borris-in-Ossory NS , Clough NS, St Pius X Ballacolla, Cullohill NS and Our Lady's Meadow, Durrow were in attendance to learn more on the 'Phone Free Pact'.

Pictured: Attendees gathered in St Fergal's College for Thursday's event

Parents in attendance were left pale and horrified following the latest research into child grooming operations online, where Irish children as young as five are being exposed to pornographic content on the children’s game Roblox.

Key speaker Dr Barron explained that he saw an ‘endemic’ rise in young girls self harming, and limiting their food intake.
“There were videos online showing them how to self harm and how to hide it from their parents. It came to a head in our school when two girls in 5th class were hospitalised from starving themselves,” he shared.

“This isn’t an anecdotal rant against phones- since 2019, kids under the age of three exposed to over an hour of screens a day, have an abnormal disorganisation of the white matter in their brains, responsible for language and communications,” Dr Barron explained.

Pictured: Dr Ben Barron shares reports and researched evidence

"Excessive screen time in 9 and 10 year olds screen to cause a physical failing of the cerebral cortex responsible for interpreting information in the physical world. This is what you see in patients with dementia,” he said.

“We have to understand the extent and level of hyperviolence and pornography our children are seeing online.”
The director explained that within the last few months, three separate investigations have been carried out into Roblox, including one from the Wall Street Journal.

“The report then discovered that Roblox social media features allow pedophiles to efficiently target children,” he said.

“In Ireland, research shows that Roblox is the most likely place for an 8-12 year old to encounter inappropriate content. The design of avatars and interactions can be of a sexual nature.

"It’s a haven for pedophiles and perverts- I’m not trying to be dramatic, this is what we are being told. But it's still the most popular place in Ireland for primary school children to be,” he said.

Dr Barron explained recent research from reliable sources such as Ofsted and the UK’s Children’s Commissioner, showing that children as young as six are now exposed to pornography online.

"The average age of seeing porn is 13, with some seeing it as young as six. 60% saw porn without seeking it out- they aren't looking for it, it's being sent because it keeps them on the screen,” he said.

“Over 58% of children from 11-17 have seen pornography featuring strangulation, with 44% of 11-17 year olds having seen rape scenes online,” he said.

“Hotline.ie are hired by the state to tackle child porn in Ireland. In 2024, the watchdog detected 53,441 cases of child sexual abuse on the internet last year. A 32% increase on 2023, and a 110% increase on 2022. 56% of the content was children aged four to twelve years old, 43% of children in teens, and 1% aged younger.

“I’m 44, my parents said ‘that would never happen here’. There is no ’here’ any more, all your children are in the same place no matter where they live,” Dr Barron highlighted.

“Sexual extortion sees males aged 18-24 particularly vulnerable, 15% were under 18 years of age. Perpetrators are targeting children,” he said.

“Online spaces are not neutral spaces, there are sinister actors out there looking for your children, looking for their content.
There are 'Nudify' apps where an AI model needs 12 images of your child to create a child sex abuse video.

"Hotline.ie made an advert telling parents to think before taking back to school photos. Even at that level, the sinister actors out there are mind boggling.

“And so many people will open the door because they don't want their kid to be the only one without a phone,” Dr Barron said.

Principals in attendance stressed the 'tiredness and lack of attention' in class that they are experiencing in children.

Child Psychologist Ms Catherine Hallissey explained ways that parents can help protect their children from online harms, and how to deal with stress.

Pictured: Errill principal Colin Dowling and Killadooley principal Orla O'Connor

“We have all handed our children screens so we could get a few jobs done, or just have a few moments peace. There are practical things we can do,” she said.

“Don’t demonise screens - screens can be incredibly useful to learn, to be entertained, to socialise and to pass time. Instead, foster the mindful, conscious use of screens. Use the ‘Model, Mentor, Manage’ method,” Dr Hallissey explained.

“Model how much you use your own phone, take note of the amount of times you check your phone, along with when and where you do.

“Would you be happy with your children using their phones as much as you do?” she asked.

“Mentor your children on the impacts phone have on their safety, their attention span, their social skills and their sleep schedule.

“So many parents bring their children to my clinic, and the first question I ask them is whether they have their phones in bed with them at night.

“You would be surprised at the amount of issues a good night's sleep can solve,” she said. Dr Hallissey recommended parents monitor the content their children are watching, highlighting the 'shallow engagement' children have with online content.

“Follow age restrictions on games and apps, with no social media for children below 13 years of age. It should be made on a 'case by case' basis depending on your child's personality, temperament and behaviour,” Dr Hallissey said.

“The Balance Phone is a great option if your child needs a phone to contact you, but you don't want them on social media. The phone allows users to download apps such as WhatsApp, Google Maps and Spotify, yet it blocks the download of any social media platforms,” she shared.

The psychiatrist shared one important tip: it is better for screen-related technology and toys to come from parents, rather than Santa Clause at Christmas time.

“When presents come from Santa, kids tend to find that this an agreement between themselves and Santa Clause that they can the device freely, that it has nothing to do with the parents,” she said.

“It comes up a lot in my clinic. You should own the screens, or have a control where the kids ask you for permission to use the devices, so it's better if the devices are for birthdays rather than santa lists,” she said.

Cllr Conor Bergin congratulated the Parents Associations on doubling in force for positive change.

Pictured: Cllr John King and Cllr Conor Bergin spoke at the event

“I must commend the parents in these organisations for taking a proactive role, and the key speakers for the work they have done,” he said.

“Myself and Cllr King will bring a motion to the Council calling for the Government to act on the issue of smartphone use in primary schools,” he said.

Cllr John King also praised the initiative.

“It's a hard world, and it's not easy being a parent,” he said.

“It's much harder now than it ever was. But well done to you all. GAA clubs can do their part as well to promote this,” he said.

A member of Scoil Bhríde Rathdowney's Parents Association praised locals for their work to help them on this issue.

“Principals have a key role to play in brilliant role in bringing us all together, along with teachers and peers within the school community,” they shared.

“This evening is a key milestone in our journey to safeguard our children from the negative effects of smart phones, and the next key step will be circulating the parent pact, which will happen in the next week or so.

“Based on the information we have heard tonight, I think that the children will benefit from this pact long beyond their school days,” the representative finished.

Read more on the 'Phone Free Pact here.

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