Using the internet is a more popular activity than playing with friends among Irish nine year olds, according to a new study.
The findings also show most children of that age have access to the internet.
This ESRI report is based on interviews with around 8,000 9-year-olds and their parents in 2017 and 2018.
Nearly a quarter were overweight or obese; almost 40% said they'd experienced some type of bullying.
When it comes to school performance, a gap of over 10 points in reading scores was found between children from very advantaged and very disadvantaged backgrounds.
The nine year olds also listed football and going online as their favourite activities - ahead of playing with friends.
Almost all children had access to the internet - and over half said a parent or adult didn't check what they're doing.
While this study doesn't cover the impact of the pandemic, a new report from the Children's Ombudsman does.
The office received over 1,100 complaints last year - and the number of direct complaints from children doubled.
