We are repeatedly told about the dangers of sharing too much information online, and it seems this is coming to fruition in the most disturbing way.
According to Child Watch – a research, education and online protection specialist group – over 2,000 Irish schoolchildren have had their images stolen and used on porn sites.
The watchdog made the shocking revelation today ahead of a National Association of School Principals and Deputy Principals conference on online information-sharing.
Pat McKenna of Child Watch this morning said that while the organisation has identified 270 teenage girls whose images have been abused, the fear is that there are over 2,000 more unreported cases.
Speaking to News Talk, Mr McKenna said: “Personal information and images of unsuspecting young Irish girls are being uploaded by users of online pornography to sites without their permission and with no regard for their privacy, personal safety, reputation and psychological well-being.”
The alarming statistics will form part of Child Watch’s advice for school management and staff regarding the online safety of their students going forward.
