One in four midlands teenagers exposed to porn by age of 13
More than a quarter of young people across the midlands have watched pornography “at age 13 or younger”, and almost one in every five young people have been asked to send a sexually explicit image of themselves in the last year.
In addition, 39 per cent reported having had suicidal thoughts; 15 per cent vaped daily and 26 per cent had smoked in their lifetime.
The figures are among the findings from a survey of 3,378 young people from 40 secondary schools and 12 out-of-school settings across Laois, Offaly, Longford and Westmeath.
Those surveyed were at post-Junior Certificate level, and the survey, carried out in November and December 2025, has been published with the launch of the first Planet Youth Report for the Midlands.
Planet Youth is an international prevention model, which aims to improve young people's health and wellbeing, particularly through the prevention of alcohol and drug use.
The report, commissioned by the Midland Regional Drugs and Alcohol Task Force (MRDATF) and funded by the Department of Health and the HSE, provides a detailed picture of the experiences, behaviours and wellbeing of young people across the four counties.
Among its other findings, 71 per cent of respondents said they had consumed alcohol at some point in their lives, while 36 per cent of those who drank alcohol reported having been drunk in the previous 30 days.
More than a quarter (26 per cent) said they had consumed alcohol at the age of 13 or younger, while 42 per cent had vaped at some point in their lives.
The survey also found that 55 per cent of respondents got less than eight hours' sleep per night on average, while 27 per cent said they had restricted their food intake for three months or longer.
Just over half (53 per cent) rated their mental health as good or very good, while 69 per cent gave the same rating to their physical health.
The findings on online activity showed that 84 per cent had a phone in their bedroom at night, while 68 per cent spent three or more hours a day on social media.
On a more positive note, 86 per cent said they had friends at school who cared about them, while 68 per cent reported that there were adults at school who cared about them.
A further 82 per cent said their parents or carers knew where they were in the evenings.
However, 43 per cent reported having been bullied at school, while 30 per cent said they had been outside after midnight on at least one occasion during the previous week. Just 41 per cent felt there was a suitable outdoor youth space in their area, and 15 per cent did not participate in any supervised out-of-school activities.
The report was launched by Jennifer Murnane O'Connor, TD, Minister of State with responsibility for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy.
In a video address, Minister Murnane O'Connor said she was a strong advocate for evidence-based prevention and that young people needed appropriate supports and care to help them develop life skills, confidence and the ability to make informed, healthy choices.
She said the data provided through the Planet Youth report would guide local action, and commended the level of involvement by schools and other educational settings, as well as the decision to involve young people in the research.
Dr Una Fallon, consultant in Public Health Medicine with HSE Health Improvement for Dublin and Midlands, said the survey had generated an unprecedented local dataset.
It provided information on alcohol use, vaping and other substances, physical and mental health, sleep, school engagement, family relationships, social connectedness and online activity.
She said the findings identified both significant strengths and important challenges within communities, adding that the research provided evidence specific to young people in the midlands rather than relying on national surveys and assumptions.
Antoinette Kinsella, co-ordinator of the MRDATF, said the report was not simply a collection of numbers and charts, but a reflection of the experiences and views of young people in classrooms across the region.
She said she looked forward to the next phase of the project, which would involve examining the data and beginning the action-planning process, in collaboration with the Midlands Planet Youth Oversight Committee and HSE colleagues.
The committee, established in 2025, brings together 26 members from 15 agencies working across health, education, youth services, community development, local government, family support and community safety.
Key findings of the Midland Regional report with sample size of 3,378 students include:
Alcohol, smoking & vaping
71% of respondents reported alcohol use in their lifetime
36% of those who drank alcohol, reported being drunk in the last 30 days
26% Had a drink of alcohol at age 13 or younger
42% Vaped in their lifetime
15% Vaped daily
26% Smoked in their lifetime
Health & wellbeing
69% Rated their physical health as good or very good
55% Had less than 8 hours sleep per night on average
53% Rated their mental health as good or very good
39% Report ever having had suicidal thoughts
27% Restricted food intake for three months or more
Screens & online life
84% Had a phone in their bedroom at night
74% Reported feeling safe online often or always
68% Uses social media three or more hours per day
26% Watched pornography at age 13 or younger
18% Has been asked to send a sexually explicit image of themselves in the last year
School, family & community
86% Reported having friends at school that care about them
68% Reported there are adults at school that care about them
82% Reported their parents/carers know where they are in the evenings
30% Outside after midnight once or more in the last week
43% Reported being bullied at school by someone
41% Reported having a suitable outdoor youth space in their area
15% Does not participate in any supervised out-of-school activities
Further information and copies of the regional reports are available at www.planetyouth.ie.