Sixty-eight per cent of Irish internet users use social networking sites, the fourth highest figure in the EU, research from the European Commission suggests.
The Eurobarometer survey involved 26,574 Europeans and had a strong focus on data protection.
Ireland’s citizens are the third most likely to go online to share photos, videos or movies. Ireland also has the fifth-highest percentage of internet users who buy goods online, at 73pc.
Fifteen per cent of Irish survey participants said they maintained a blog, well above the EU average of 6pc.
Data protection
Fifty-seven per cent said they give the minimum of information online, below the EU average of 62pc.
Seventy-four per cent said they wanted to be able to delete personal information from the web whenever they wished. Fifteen per cent said they did nothing to protect their identity online, which was in line with the EU average.
Irish people were fifth most likely to believe they were kept informed of the consequences of posting personal information online. However, 50pc of Irish survey respondents said they were asked to give more personal information than necessary when using an online service.
Thirty per cent of Irish respondents who disclosed personal information on social networking sites feel completely in control of this data. Half (50pc) feel partially in control and 15pc believe they have no control of it at all.
Eighty-nine per cent of Irish respondents consider financial information as personal data, and 93pc also identified medical information as personal data, topping this list in Europe.
Theft and spam
When it comes to limiting online spam, 34pc of Irish internet users applied tools and strategies against spam, below the EU average of 42pc.
Forty per cent check if a transaction is protected or if a site has a safety logo when buying goods online.
Forty-seven per cent of Irish internet users use anti-spy software, above the EU average of 39pc.
Three per cent of Irish survey participants said they were directly affected by data losses and identity theft, compared to the EU average of 2pc. Six per cent said a family member was affected and 8pc said an acquaintance was affected by data losses and identity theft.
Ninety-four per cent said they want to have the same data protection rights across Europe.
