Sending explicit images to one another is now the norm rather than the exception among young people
That's the stark warning from the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children.
It's director of services has appeared before an Oireachtas committee to highlight the dangers of cyberbullying.
Caroline O'Sullivan warned that pressure is growing among young people to share pictures of this nature which then leads to them being "slut shamed" as the pictures are shared around.
She said their services were being used by children as young as nine years old and that they had never had so many calls asking for help with issues related to low self-esteem.
The
Irish Times reports that the time teens spend online is at the crux of the issue with some reporting being online for five hours a day. combination of cyberbullying, pressure to share and too much time online is having a big impact on mental health.
The children's charity said they were very concerned that the combination of cyberbullying, pressure to share and too much time online is having a big impact on mental health.
