Parents need to play a more active role in monitoring their children’s online activity.

That’s the message from Detective Sgt. Finbarr O’Sullivan, who is heading up the Waterford Divisional Protective Services Unit.

The unit, which was established in January, deals with crimes including domestic and child abuse, as well as child exploitation.

Detective Sgt. O’Sullivan says parents need to talk with their children about the type of content they’re sharing online.

“it’s a subject that we have to look at and we have to address at this point in time,” he said. “Within the Waterford division we have found some instances of where young people are sharing inappropriate images of themselves online through lack of knowledge or naivety.”

Sgt. O’Sullivan recommends https://www.webwise.ie/ for parents who wish to learn more about internet safety.