News

As many as one in five children who use chatrooms on the internet report that they have been approached by paedophiles online.

So the new public awareness campaign launched this week by the Home Office task force on child protection on the internet is to be welcomed. Shame it wasn't done earlier as there is a sense that this problem is already hurtling out of control.

A report from children's charity NCH highlights how the explosion of child pornography on the internet may be fuelling sexual abuse of young people.


What's clear is that both parents and children need hard facts so they know what they are up against now the net has become a cruising ground for those who want to prey on children.

The whole issue of child protection and the internet needs to move higher up the agenda. The internet, chatrooms and mobile phones with web access are all here to stay and our children are using them. The relevant authorities - particularly the police who seem to be struggling - urgently need more resources to make sure child protection measures keep pace with internet technology.