Knowledge of cyber-bullying among parents in Ireland is low, new research has found.

Conducted by Dr Brian O'Neill and Thuy Dinh from European Union (EU) Kids Online and Dublin Institute of Technology, the study revealed almost seven in ten mums and dads did not know their child had been victimised online, the Irish Independent reports.

It was shown that while one-quarter of nine to 16-year-olds in the country have been bullied via the web - which is greater than the EU average - 68 per cent of adults admitted to being unaware of such practices.

As part of the investigation, 1,000 children and their parents from across the EU were surveyed, with more than half of the young people questioned admitting they were very upset about online bullying and 44 per cent claiming such behaviour was likely to have a lasting impact on them.

Around 71 per cent revealed they seek help from a friend or parent whenever they are harassed online.

Written by Donal Walsh

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