Calls on the issue of children accessing pornography emerged as an increasing concern for parents calling Parentline in 2024 as did calls on social media and the associated dangers for children accessing these platforms while vaping remains a significant issue for parents across Ireland, findings from Parentline show
Parentline, a leading helpline providing support to parents and caregivers, has announced that 2024 marked another record-breaking year for the organisation. With a 5% increase in calls compared to the previous year, Parentline recorded 6,461 helpline calls throughout the year, u from 6,147 calls in 2023, demonstrating the growing demand for parental support services across Ireland. Speaking on the findings of the report, CEO Aileen Hickie, said: “Parents are increasingly concerned about their children inadvertently or purposefully accessing pornography on their devices. There are large issues over this early exposure to pornography. Parents are concerned about that the negative outcomes from viewing material that they are not equipped to process.”
Parentline's 2024 Report highlights notable shifts in caller demographics and emerging concerns. Findings from the report include a substantial increase in male callers, comprising 32.5% of total calls, up from 23.7% in 2023. Additionally 41% of all calls was from a first time caller, up from 33% in 2023.
“When Parentline was established almost 100% of the calls came from mothers - in the intervening years the number of fathers calling the helpline is increasing all the time. Calls from fathers now represent almost one third of all calls. The content of calls from fathers has also changed; 20 years ago fathers used to ask ‘how they could support their wife with her parenting’, and the calls from fathers now show they are playing a much more active role in parenting and there is no difference between the parenting issues raised by men and women.”
The data also revealed that two in every five calls received were from first-time callers; concerns regarding female children accounted for 41% of calls, while concerns regarding male children constituted 59% of calls. Calls concerning adult children aged 18 to 25 years were 14% of all calls.
Over half of all calls (51%) related to concerns regarding children aged between 13 - 17 years. Anger and aggression remained as a leading issue for parents, constituting over one-third of all calls, marking an increase from 33% in 2023.
“Calls from parents referencing anger and aggression continue to dominate the helplines with over one third of all calls being from parents concerned with this issue. This rises further when you add in verbal abuse, physical abuse, violence or controlling behaviours. All of these issues are covered by the general term of child to parent violence. This is where the parent is left in fear of their own child in their own home because of the behaviours being directed at them. This is the unspoken side of domestic violence. Domestic violence is often thought about as being only partner to partner abuse but it is any violence or abuse that takes place in a domestic setting. Child to parent violence is another form of domestic violence. It leaves parents feeling ashamed, powerless and alone,” added Hickie.
Furthermore, vaping increased as an issue of concern for parents from 1% of calls in 2923 to 3% in 2024 highlighting the evolving landscape of parental concerns.
Commenting on the increase in vaping as a concern for parents, Hickie said: “ Last year calls on vaping tripled as an issue for parents ringing the helplines. The parents were concerned about the easy availability of vapes and the long-term effects as well as concerns that they were increasing childhood anxiety in the short term.”
Parentline remains dedicated to providing crucial support and guidance to parents and caregivers navigating the complexities of raising children in today's Ireland. The organisation acknowledges the evolving nature of parental concerns and reaffirms its commitment to offering compassionate assistance to families in need.